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Agdia, Inc. (Elkhart, IN) is pleased to announce the commercialization of a rapid, user-friendly, RNA-based assay, on their AmplifyRP® XRT platform, for the detection and identification of Grapevine pinot gris virus (GPGV).
Symptoms referred to as grapevine leaf mottling and deformation were first observed on the ‘Pinot gris’ variety of white wine grapes in Slovenia in 2001. Two years later, the same set of symptoms was observed on ‘Pinot gris’ in Northern Italy. At that time, no causal agent could be correlated to symptom development using ELISA, PCR or electron microscopy. The disease was referred to as grapevine mottling and deformation (GLMD), and the pathogen’s identity remained elusive. That is until 2012, when deep sequencing identified a previously unknown Trichovirus in symptomatic tissue. The presence of the virus was correlated with symptom development, and it was designated as Grapevine pinot gris virus (GPGV). Since then, GPGV has been detected in multiple varieties of wine and table grapes, Vitis spp., in production regions of Asia, Europe, North America, South America and three states in Australia.
Symptoms of GPGV infection include leaf mottling, leaf deformation, bud break, shortened internodes (stunting), chlorotic mosaic on leaves and stunting of the roots. Discolored veins, desiccated inflorescences, delayed ripening and shoot tip necrosis have also been observed in some varieties infected by GPGV. Nevertheless, symptom expression is variable, and many plants are latently infected with GPGV. Moreover, plants exhibiting GLMD disease have been determined to be infected with multiple viruses in addition to GPGV. At this time, the dynamics of symptom expression in infected plants are poorly understood and more research is required.
Grapevine pinot gris virus is believed to be transmitted locally by the grape leaf bud and blister mite, Colomerus vitis (Order Trobidiformes). Mechanical transmission via infected harvesting and pruning equipment has not been proven in the field but must be considered. Long-distance dispersal is via the exchange of infected propagative material, such as scion wood and rootstock as GPGV is graft transmitted. It is important to understand that propagative materials can remain asymptomatic indefinitely, perpetuating the spread of GPGV to newly established vineyards. This makes diagnostic testing of propagative materials a paramount step in managing GPGV.
Agdia’s new AmplifyRP® XRT assay for detection of GPGV is based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). This technology promotes the rapid amplification and detection of nucleic acid targets, DNA or RNA, while maintaining a single operating temperature of 39 - 42 oC. The AmplifyRP® XRT products achieve target sensitivity and specificity comparable to PCR, while having clear advantages over the lab-based technology. AmplifyRP® XRT products do not require a nucleic acid purification step; crude sample extracts are prepared using a simple extraction buffer and tested directly. This makes the testing process simple and saves the end-user valuable time.
Agdia states their new assay was tested against an extensive collection of GPGV isolates from North America and Europe, providing 100% accuracy for detection of true positives. Moreover, no cross-reactivity was observed with a comprehensive panel of grape pathogens, including Arabis mosaic virus, Grapevine fanleaf virus, Grapevine fleck virus, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1, 2, 3 and 4, Grapevine red blotch virus, Tomato ringspot virus, Tobacco ringspot virus and Xylella fastidiosa. Sensitivity for this assay is comparable to that observed with the published qPCR to which it was compared. This product includes an endogenous control and was developed to test leaf and petiole tissue. For more information on Agdia’s complete line of AmplifyRP® assays, please visit Agdia’s website www.agdia.com.
About Agdia
A leading provider of diagnostic solutions for agriculture, Agdia, Inc. has been serving plant breeders, propagators, growers, universities, regulatory organizations and private testing laboratories since 1981. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of validated, easy-to-use diagnostics for identifying plant pathogens, plant hormones, and transgenic traits. Moreover, Agdia operates an ISO accredited, in-house, testing services laboratory. Agdia’s quality management system is ISO 9001:2015 certified and their Testing Services Laboratory is ISO 17025:2017 accredited. Visit the company’s website at www.agdia.com, e-mail info@agdia.com, phone 1-574-264-2615 (toll-free 800-622-4342) or fax 1-574-264-2153.
About AmplifyRP®
AmplifyRP® XRT and AmplifyRP® Acceler8® test kits employ recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) technology licensed by Agdia, Inc (licensee) from TwistDx Limited, U.K (licensor). Use of the RPA process and probe technologies are protected by US patents 7,270,981 B2, 7,399,590 B2, 7,435,561 B2, 7,485,428 B2 and foreign equivalents in addition to pending patents.
AmplifyRP® is a registered trademark of Agdia, Inc.
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