Universal primers for the PCR-mediated amplification of DNA βA molecule associated with some monopartite begomoviruses

DNA β is an approx 1350 nucleotide, single-stranded DNA molecule which has been shown to be associated with some monopartite geminiviruses of the genus Begomovirus. This component requires the helper begomovirus for replication in the cells of host plants and for insect transmission, possibly by trans-encapsidation. Sequence comparisons of the two available DNA β sequences has identified a highly conserved region upstream of a predicted hairpin structure. Abutting primers designed to this conserved region allows PCR-mediated amplification of the full-length DNA β component from total nucleic acid extracts isolated from infected plants originating from a variety of geographically distinct sources and host plants.