Nucleotide sequence, genome organisation and phylogenetic analysis of Indian citrus ringspot virus

The sequence of the single-stranded RNA genome of Indian citrus ringspot virus (ICRSV) consists of 7560 nucleotides. It contains six open reading frames (ORFs), which encode putative proteins of 187.3, 25, 12, 6.4, 34 and 23 kDa respectively. ORF1 encodes a polypeptide that contains all the elements of a replicase; ORFs 2, 3 and 4 compose a triple-gene block; ORF5 encodes the capsid protein; the function of ORF6 is unknown. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome and each ORF separately, and database searches indicate that ICRSV, though showing some similarities to potexviruses, is significantly different, as in the presence of ORF6, the genome and CP sizes, and particle morphology. These differences favor its inclusion in a new virus genus.