A Viroid-like RNA Isolated from Grapevine Has High Sequence Homology with Hop Stunt Viroid

Abstract

Summary Viroid-like RNA was isolated from some samples of grapevine leaves (Vitis vinifera L.). When inoculated to cucumber, this RNA induced symptoms that were identical to those induced by hop stunt viroid (HSV). It had a molecular size similar to that of HSV, and hybridized with a 32P-labelled DNA probe for the cucumber isolate of HSV (HSV-c, pCP-55). This hybridization suggests high (> 55%) sequence homology with HSV. The HSV-related sequence was detected not only in the infected cucumber plants but also directly in RNA extracted from grapevine plants. The result indicates that viroid-like RNA, closely related to HSV, is present in grapevines in Japan.