Identification and characterization of a novel rhabdovirus in green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix cincticeps

The family Rhabdoviridae is one of the most ecological diverse groups of RNA viruses, with remarkable genome complexity and wide host range. Rhabdoviruses are discovered in many insect species, and insects, such as midges, mosquitoes, aphids and leafhoppers, act as crucial vectors for rhabdovirus transmission. Here, a novel rhabdovirus was identified in green rice leafhopper, Nephotettix cincticeps (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a common virus vector on rice. This virus was named as Nephotettix cincticeps negative-stranded RNA virus-1 (NcNSRV-1). The genome of NcNSRV-1 is 12,361 nucleotides in length, flanked by untranslated 3' leader and 5' trailer. The anti-sense viral genome consists of five major structural protein genes (N, P, M, G and L), which shares a typical architecture with the family Rhabdoviridae. An additional gene, P6, is interposed between G and L genes. NcNSRV-1 is phylogenetically clustered with the unclassified rhabdoviruses isolated from insects and exhibits low sequence identities with other viruses. The transcription regulatory sequences in NcNSRV-1 gene junctions were determined, revealing a unique transcription initiation sequence. In view of the phylogeny, sequence identity and genome organization, NcNSRV-1 is likely to be an insect rhabdovirus. Field surveys showed NcNSRV-1 was prevalent in the rice field populations of N. cincticeps in China.