The first complete genome sequence of Ammi majus latent virus from the new natural host culantro.

A potyvirus (isolate AMLV-CQ) infecting culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.) imported from Vietnam was identified by RT-PCR. The complete genome sequence of AMLV-CQ was determined to be 9,549 nucleotides in length. It contains a large open reading frame encoding a 3,082-amino-acid putative polyprotein, flanked by 5´ and 3´ untranslated regions (UTRs) of 77 and 226 nt, respectively. AMLV-CQ is closely related to five other completely sequenced potyviruses, sharing 68-69% nucleotide and 69-70% amino acid sequence identity. However, the coat protein (CP) gene shares 89% nucleotide and 93% amino acid sequence identity with that of a partially sequenced potyvirus, Ammi majus latent virus (isolate AMLV-WF17). These results suggest that AMLV-CQ and AMLV-WF17 are isolates of the same species. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a complete genome sequence of an AMLV isolate, and culantro was identified as a new natural host for this virus. In addition, a one-step RT-PCR assay was developed that provides a rapid, robust, and highly sensitive approach for the detection of AMLV.