Sequences of Tobacco Rattle Viruses from Potato

The RNA2 of the tobacco rattle virus (TRV) isolate ‘Rostock’ (TRV‐R), and the coat protein gene (CP) of TRV isolate ‘Mirow’ (TRV‐M) were sequenced. Both were isolated from potato. Sequence analysis revealed a 5′ noncoding‐region (NCR) and a CP gene, which are among the shortest of any tobravirus RNA2 sequenced so far. Downstream of the CP open reading frame (ORF) there was an ORF for a 8 k protein, that is probably a truncated 9 k protein, followed by an ORF for a 16 k protein and the 3′ NCR. The 16 k protein and the 3′ NCR showed a considerable sequence identity with the 3′ end of TRV RNA1 and RNA2 from other TRV isolates. The high identity in the amino acid sequences of the CPs from TRV‐R and TRV‐M as well as other TRV isolates suggested that they are related to the TCM group of the genus Tobravirus and belong serologically to the RQ‐serotype. This could be confirmed using a rabbit antiserum that was prepared against recombinant TRV‐R CP expressed in bacteria. This serum was found to be suitable for differentiation of TRV‐isolates.