Degenerate PCR Targeting the Major Capsid Protein Gene of HcRNAV and Related Viruses

Heterocapsa circularisquama RNA virus (HcRNAV) is the only dinoflagellate-infecting RNA virus that has been isolated to date. We herein investigated the diversity of the major capsid protein gene of HcRNAV and related viruses using degenerate PCR and in silico analyses. Diverse sequences related to HcRNAV were successfully amplified from marine sediments. Amplicons contained conserved and variable regions; the latter were predicted to be located on the outer surface of the capsid. Our approach provides insights into the diversity of viruses that are difficult to isolate in the environment and will enhance rapidly growing metagenome sequence repositories.