Identification and complete genome sequence of goji trirhavirus 1, a novel tri-segmented virus of the family Rhabdoviridae discovered in Goji (Lycium barbarum L.).

A novel trirhavirus, tentatively named "goji trirhavirus 1" (GqTRV1), was identified by high-throughput sequencing of a "Ningnongqi17" goji sample exhibiting severe leaf twisting symptoms, collected from a commercial plantation in Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. The complete genome sequence of GqTRV1 was determined by RT-PCR and the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The genome of GqTRV1 comprises three negative-sense single-stranded RNAs (RNA1, RNA2, and RNA3), which encode eight putative proteins, including L, N, P2, P3, P4, P6, P7, and P8. Conserved 3'-AAUUCUUUUGN(N)nCUC-5' motifs were identified at the gene junction regions. The genome shows complete 11-nucleotide terminal complementarity between the 5' and 3' ends, as well as conserved 12-nucleotide terminal identity among all RNA segments. Phylogenetic analysis based on the L protein sequence placed GqTRV1 within the genus Trirhavirus, forming a well-supported subclade with chenopodium trirhavirus 1 (CheTRV1) and capsicum trirhavirus 1 (CapTRV1). Pairwise sequence comparisons demonstrated that GqTRV1 exhibits higher nucleotide identity with CheTRV1(65.0%) and CapTRV1(65.6%) than to other trirhaviruses. These findings support the classification of GqTRV1 as a distinct member of the genus Trirhavirus.