Watermelon mosaic virus-Morocco is a distinct potyvirus

Abstract

The relationship of the Morocco isolate of watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) to WMV2, soybean mosaic virus (a virus closely related to WMV2) and the W strain of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-W), formerly WMV1, was examined by comparing tryptic peptide profiles using high performance liquid chromatography. The profiles indicated that the coat protein sequence of WMV-Morocco differed substantially from those of the other potyviruses. This conclusion was supported by sequence data from five tryptic peptides from the coat protein of WMV-Morocco, which showed only 61-68% identity to equivalent sequences in PRSV-W, WMV2 and zucchini yellow mosaic, another potyvirus infecting cucurbits. Based on the above data, and on known correlations between coat protein sequence similarities and potyvirus relationship, it is concluded that WMV-Morocco should be regarded as a distinct potyvirus.

First report of the identification of Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus in papaya in Democratic Republic of Congo

“…First reported in 1972 in Morocco, MWMV is a distinct member of the Potyvirus genus ( Potyviridae family) (McKern et al ., 1993). This is the first record of MWMV both in papaya and in the DRC.…”

Cucurbit production systems in Australia and biosecurity risks associated with viral pathogens

“…Initially, papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) was considered to be a distinct virus but is now considered to be part of a "cluster" of up to five viruses. Originally, Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV) was thought to be a new strain of watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) but has since been revealed to be a distinct potyvirus following more detailed molecular investigation (McKearn et al 1993) and more closely aligned with the PRSV cluster (Yakoubi et al 2008a). Algerian watermelon mosaic virus (AWMV), isolated from squash in Algeria may also share a common ancestor with MWMV (Yakoubi et al 2008b;Ibaba et al 2016).…”

Current and Emerging Pests and Diseases of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Africa

“…Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus was first reported in Morocco in the year 1972 as a strain of WMV, causing severe diseases in various cucurbits [39]. Subsequently, MWMV was discovered as a distinct potyvirus species distantly related to Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) based on biological and serological properties [40]. The host range of MWMV is limited to members of Cucurbitaceae family and papaya.…”