Sequences of the smallest double-stranded RNAs associated with cherry chlorotic rusty spot and Amasya cherry diseases.

Cherry chlorotic rusty spot (CCRS) and Amasya cherry disease (ACD) are two disorders that affect cherry in Italy and Turkey. Both diseases have similar symptoms and are associated with a complex pattern of double- stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), absent from healthy-looking material. The dsRNAs were presumed to have a viral origin, and their characterization showed that: (1) four comprise the genomic components of a member of a new tentative species of the genus Chrysovirus, (2) two comprise the genomic components of a member of a new tentative species of the genus Partitivirus, and (3) another four display their highest similarity with members of the family Totiviridae. Because members of these three taxa typically infect fungi, and because microscopy observations have identified a fungus-like organism in the affected leaf tissues, these data support a fungal eti- ology for CCRS and ACD diseases. In addition to the ten large dsRNAs, PAGE analysis of CCRS-affected material revealed at least another two bands in the lower part of the gels. We presumed that they were generated by small dsRNAs, given that the bands were detected in preparations enriched in dsRNAs. Here we report their sequences.