In silico Characterization of Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) and Its Genetic Variation Globally

Abstract

Banana bunchy top disease is one of the most prevalent viral infections associated with banana farming. It is a rapidly spreading disease. Currently, there are very few fully sequenced isolate reports from India and around the world. When in silico analysis was conducted on various Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) various genome components at nucleotide level (DNA-R and DNA-U3), and amino acid level (DNA-C and DNA-U3) maximum genetic variability was observed in all reported strains of BBTV. When comparing DNA-R (Replicative protein) to DNA-S segment (Coat protein) most Indian isolates are in agreement with isolates from countries in East and Southeast Africa and belong to the PIO (Pacific-Indian Oceans) group of BBTV isolate classification. BBTV coat protein model demonstrated the highest degree of protein binding to NBS-LRR class resistance protein. Furthermore, the Ramachandran plot was used to validate the BBTV CP model, and Procheck and the PROSA web server were used to enhance the structure. The greatest binding affinity of the BBTV coat protein was seen with the NBS-LRR class resistance protein (receptor) when the BBTV coat protein model interacted with it.  Three mutagenic epitope (IADEFYVERL, SKRFLLVLDD and WEFFKQCAFSS) were predicted from BBTV coat protein region. Consequently, our work presents the Indian subcontinent as a possible hotspot for rapid demographic development from an extremely small viral population size, adding significantly to the knowledge already known on BBTV worldwide.