Characterization of satellite RNAs associated with tomato bushy stunt virus and five other definitive tombusviruses

Most definitive members of the tombusvirus group contain a satellite RNA (S-RNA); those of different tombusviruses have extensive sequence homology with each other. Replication of the S-RNA of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) is supported by the genomic RNAs of other tombusviruses. Viruses regarded as possible members of the tombusvirus group do not support the replication of TBSV S-RNA and the satellite of one such virus, turnip crinkle, does not have sequence homology with that of TBSV. Passage of genomic TBSV RNA through Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in the acquisition of S-RNA whereas passage through N. clevelandii did not