Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of a Greek lentil isolate of Pea seed-borne mosaic virus

Legume crop cultivation is widespread in Greece and contributes significantly to the agricultural economy of the country. In contrast to pea, Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) detection and pathotype characterization in lentil is limited. The aim of this study was the molecular characterization of the first reported lentil isolate of PSbMV in Greece. Specific primers against three genes of PSbMV, namely the coat protein (CP) and the P1 and HC-Pro proteases have been designed and tested in RT-PCR detection and quantitation of the virus in lentil. Phylogenetic and recombination analysis of the Greek CP and HC-Pro amplicons was performed with the aim of detecting sequence variability indicative of pathotype classification. Moreover, the identified point mutations of the Greek HC-Pro sequence were further exploited in RT-RFLP protocols that together with the phylogenetic analysis lead to the classification of the Greek PSbMV isolate into pathogroup 1.