Molecular evolution and genetic analysis of Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus and associated betasatellites

Abstract Mesta yellow vein mosaic disease (MYVMD), one of the major diseases circulating mesta growing regions of Indian sub-continent, is responsible for serious yield loss in mesta crops. A complex of monopartite begomovirus, Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus (MYVMV) and associated betasatellite, is reported in several studies as the causal agent of MYVMD. However, all-inclusive molecular evolutionary analysis of so far available MYVMVs and associated betasatellites disseminating in this region is still lacking. In this study, by estimating and analyzing various indexes of population genetics and evolutionary parameters, we discussed the sources of genetic variations, population dynamics and different forces acting on the evolution of MYVMVs and associated betasatellites. The study finds recombination as a vital force in the evolution and diversification of begomovirus complexes in different geographic locations however, betasatellites were found to be exposed to more diverse recombination events compared to MYVMVs. Indian isolates are reported to have high frequency of polymorphism in this study which suggests a balancing selection or expansion occurring in Indian populations of begomoviruses. Higher degree of genetic differentiation and lower rate of gene flow calculated between the viral populations of Bangladesh and Pakistan is justified by the relatively far geographical distance between these two countries. Although the study detects overall purifying selection, the degrees of constraints acting on individual gene tested are found different. Coat protein (AV1) is estimated with very high nucleotide substitution rate which is very likely to result from the strongest purifying selection pressure ( d N /d S = 0.131) calculated in this study on coat protein. The findings of this study on different evolutionary forces that shape the emergence and diversification of MYVMVs and associated betasatellites may provide directions towards future evolutionary trend analysis and development of comprehensive disease control strategies for begomoviruses.