Genomic and phylogenetic insights into a new mastrevirus from Leptochloa chinensis

Using high-throughput sequencing, a novel mastrevirus was discovered infecting the weed Leptochloa chinensis and was designated as "Leptochloa chinensis mastrevirus" (LcMAV). The full genome sequence of LcMAV is a 2825 nt long. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparisons revealed that LcMAV is genetically distinct but shares significant sequence similarity with Sporobolus striate mosaic virus 1 (SSMV-1), suggesting a close evolutionary relationship. The LcMAV genome contains four major open reading frames encoding a movement protein (MP), a capsid protein (CP), and two replication-associated proteins (RepA and Rep) and also contains two intergenic regions (IRs). The virus was identified through comprehensive genomic sequencing, utilizing both RNA and DNA extraction methods, as well as rolling-circle amplification (RCA) for recovery of the full genome. These findings emphasize the role of L. chinensis as a host for newly emerging viruses that might endanger nearby rice crops, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and monitoring of viral diversity in agricultural systems. This discovery contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of the family Geminiviridae and emphasizes the role of weeds in the transmission of viruses to economically important crops.