AUTHOR=Choi Dongjin , Park Hyerin , Baek Seungwoo , Choi Myeung Seok , Legay Sylvain , Guerriero Gea , Hausman Jean-François , Hahn Yoonsoo 

TITLE=Discovery of novel tepovirus genomes with a nucleic acid-binding protein homolog by systematic analysis of plant transcriptome data

JOURNAL=Acta Virologica

VOLUME=68

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/acta-virologica/articles/10.3389/av.2024.13952

DOI=10.3389/av.2024.13952

ISSN=1336-2305

ABSTRACT=<p>Some plant RNA viruses in the family <italic>Betaflexiviridae</italic> encode a nucleic acid-binding protein (NABP) that facilitates infection by suppressing the host RNA silencing response. Previously, no members of the genus <italic>Tepovirus</italic> within this family were known to possess a NABP homolog. In this study, we identified the genome sequences of 21 novel <italic>Betaflexiviridae</italic> viruses: 17 represent new members of <italic>Tepovirus</italic>, and four may be founding members of a new genus closely related to the genus <italic>Vitivirus</italic>. Notably, five of these newly identified tepoviruses contain a NABP-like open reading frame (ORF). Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of NABP homologs suggest these tepoviruses independently acquired a NABP-like ORF from diverse sources. The identification of 17 novel viruses substantially enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity within the genus <italic>Tepovirus</italic>. This study further highlights the role of recombination in the genome evolution and diversity of <italic>Betaflexiviridae</italic>.</p>