Diversity and vertical transmission of double-stranded RNA elements in root rot pathogens of trees, Helicobasidium mompa and Rosellinia necatrix

An Overview of Mycoviral Curing Strategies Used in Evaluating Fungal Host Fitness

The number of novel mycoviruses is increasing at a high pace due to advancements in sequencing technologies. As a result, an uncountable number of mycoviral sequences are available in public sequence repositories. However, only genomic information is not sufficient to understand the impact of mycoviruses on their host biology. Biological characterization is required to determine the nature of mycoviruses (cryptic, hypervirulent, or hypovirulent) and to search for mycoviruses with biocontrol and therapeutic potential. Currently, no particular selective method is used as the gold standard against these mycoviral infections. Given the importance of curing, we present an overview of procedures used in preparation of isogenic lines, along with their benefits and drawbacks. We concluded that a combination of single-spore isolation and hyphal tipping is the best fit for preparation of isogenic lines. Furthermore, recent bioinformatic approaches should be introduced in the field of mycovirology to predict virus-specific antivirals to get robust results.

Capsid structure of a fungal dsRNA megabirnavirus reveals its previously unidentified surface architecture

Rosellinia necatrix megabirnavirus 1-W779 (RnMBV1) is a non-enveloped icosahedral double-stranded (ds)RNA virus that infects the ascomycete fungus Rosellinia necatrix, a causative agent that induces a lethal plant disease white root rot. Herein, we have first resolved the atomic structure of the RnMBV1 capsid at 3.2 Å resolution using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle analysis. Compared with other non-enveloped icosahedral dsRNA viruses, the RnMBV1 capsid protein structure exhibits an extra-long C-terminal arm and a surface protrusion domain. In addition, the previously unrecognized crown proteins are identified in a symmetry-expanded cryo-EM model and are present over the 3-fold axes. These exclusive structural features of the RnMBV1 capsid could have been acquired for playing essential roles in transmission and/or particle assembly of the megabirnaviruses. Our findings, therefore, will reinforce the understanding of how the structural and molecular machineries of the megabirnaviruses influence the virulence of the disease-related ascomycete fungus.

Mycoviruses as a part of the global virome: Diversity, evolutionary links and lifestyle

Knowledge of mycovirus diversity, evolution, horizontal gene transfer and shared ancestry with viruses infecting distantly related hosts, such as plants and arthropods, has increased vastly during the last few years due to advances in the high throughput sequencing methodologies. This also has enabled the discovery of novel mycoviruses with previously unknown genome types, mainly new positive and negative single-stranded RNA mycoviruses ((+) ssRNA and (-) ssRNA) and single-stranded DNA mycoviruses (ssDNA), and has increased our knowledge of double-stranded RNA mycoviruses (dsRNA), which in the past were thought to be the most common viruses infecting fungi. Fungi and oomycetes (Stramenopila) share similar lifestyles and also have similar viromes. Hypothesis about the origin and cross-kingdom transmission events of viruses have been raised and are supported by phylogenetic analysis and by the discovery of natural exchange of viruses between different hosts during virus-fungus coinfection in planta. In this review we make a compilation of the current information on the genome organization, diversity and taxonomy of mycoviruses, discussing their possible origins. Our focus is in recent findings suggesting the expansion of the host range of many viral taxa previously considered to be exclusively fungal, but we also address factors affecting virus transmissibility and coexistence in single fungal or oomycete isolates, as well as the development of synthetic mycoviruses and their use in investigating mycovirus replication cycles and pathogenicity.

A Mechanically Transmitted DNA Mycovirus Is Targeted by the Defence Machinery of Its Host, Botrytis cinerea

Eukaryotic circular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses were known only to infect plants and vertebrates until the discovery of the isolated DNA mycovirus from the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Similar viral sequences were reported from several other sources and classified in ten genera within the Genomoviridae family. The current study reports two circular ssDNA mycoviruses isolated from the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea, and their assignment to a newly created genus tentatively named Gemydayirivirus. The mycoviruses, tentatively named botrytis gemydayirivirus 1 (BGDaV1) and BGDaV2, are 1701 and 1693 nt long and encode three and two open reading frames (ORFs), respectively. Of the predicted ORFs, only ORF I, which codes for a replication initiation protein (Rep), shared identity with other proteins in GenBank. BGDaV1 is infective as cell-free purified particles and confers hypovirulence on its natural host. Investigation revealed that BGDaV1 is a target for RNA silencing and genomic DNA methylation, keeping the virus at very low titre. The discovery of BGDaV1 expands our knowledge of the diversity of genomoviruses and their interaction with fungal hosts.

A moderate level of hypovirulence conferred by a hypovirus in the avocado white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix

Two isolates of Rosellinia necatrix (Rn118-8 and Rn480) have previously obtained from diseased avocado trees in commercial orchards of the coastal area in southern Spain. Rn118-8 and Rn480 have weak virulence on avocado plants, and are infected by R. necatrix hypovirus 2 (RnHV2). In this work, the possible biological effects of the hypovirus on R. necatrix were tested. First, RnHV2 was transmitted from each of Rn118-8 and Rn480 to a highly virulent, RnHV2-free isolate of R. necatrix (Rn400) through hyphal anastomosis, using zinc compounds which attenuate the mycelial incompatibility reactions and allow for horizontal virus transfer between vegetatively incompatible fungal strains. Next, we carried out an analysis of growth rate in vitro and a virulence test of these newly infected strains in avocado plants. We obtained five strains of Rn400 infected by RnHV2 after horizontal transmission, and showed some of them to have lower colony growth in vitro and lower virulence on avocado plants compared with virus-free Rn400. These results suggest that R. necatrix isolates infected by RnHV2 could be used as novel virocontrol agents to combat avocado white root rot.

Diverse Partitiviruses From the Phytopathogenic Fungus, Rosellinia necatrix

Partitiviruses (dsRNA viruses, family Partitiviridae) are ubiquitously detected in plants and fungi. Although previous surveys suggested their omnipresence in the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, only a few of them have been molecularly and biologically characterized thus far. We report the characterization of a total of 20 partitiviruses from 16 R. necatrix strains belonging to 15 new species, for which “Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 11–Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 25” were proposed, and 5 previously reported species. The newly identified partitiviruses have been taxonomically placed in two genera, Alphapartitivirus, and Betapartitivirus. Some partitiviruses were transfected into reference strains of the natural host, R. necatrix, and an experimental host, Cryphonectria parasitica, using purified virions. A comparative analysis of resultant transfectants revealed interesting differences and similarities between the RNA accumulation and symptom induction patterns of R. necatrix and C. parasitica. Other interesting findings include the identification of a probable reassortment event and a quintuple partitivirus infection of a single fungal strain. These combined results provide a foundation for further studies aimed at elucidating mechanisms that underly the differences observed.

Two novel partitiviruses that accumulate differentially in Rosellinia necatrix and Entoleuca sp. infecting avocado

Rosellinia necatrix is responsible for the white rot root disease of avocado in Southern Spain. Entoleuca sp. is a fungus isolated from roots of these same trees, but it is not pathogenic in avocado. Here, we describe two new species of partitiviruses detected in isolates of the avocado sympatric fungi Entoleuca sp. and R. necatrix, termed Entoleuca partitivirus 1 (EnPV1), genus Alphapartitivirus, and Entoleuca partitivirus 2 (EnPV2), genus Betapartitivirus. For both R. necatrix and Entoleuca sp., the dsRNA of the RdRp genomic segment of EnPV1 accumulates at a higher rate than the CP dsRNA, except for a set of Entoleuca sp. isolates where titers of the CP dsRNA are 35-50 times higher than those of the RdRp dsRNA and between 250-380 times higher than the CP dsRNA titers found in the rest of Entoleuca sp. and R. necatrix isolates. For EnPV2, the accumulation rates of the RdRp dsRNA in Entoleuca sp., is in most of the cases, higher than the CP dsRNA. In contrast, in R. necatrix isolates, EnPV2 dsRNA2 generally accumulates at a higher rate. Genetic analysis of the partitiviruses revealed that there is no apparent variation in the nucleotide sequences among the strains. RNA silencing of the partitiviruses appears to be limited in Entoleuca sp., as shown by small RNA sequencing. Finally, the investigation of the presence of these partitiviruses in a fungal collection revealed that they have no role in the pathogenicity of R. necatrix in avocado or in the avirulence of Entoleuca sp. in this host.

Viruses of fungi and oomycetes in the soil environment

Soils support a myriad of organisms hosting highly diverse viromes. In this minireview, we focus on viruses hosted by true fungi and oomycetes (members of Stamenopila, Chromalveolata) inhabiting bulk soil, rhizosphere and litter layer, and representing different ecological guilds, including fungal saprotrophs, mycorrhizal fungi, mutualistic endophytes and pathogens. Viruses infecting fungi and oomycetes are characterized by persistent intracellular nonlytic lifestyles and transmission via spores and/or hyphal contacts. Almost all fungal and oomycete viruses have genomes composed of single-stranded or double-stranded RNA, and recent studies have revealed numerous novel viruses representing yet unclassified family-level groups. Depending on the virus–host combination, infections can be asymptomatic, beneficial or detrimental to the host. Thus, mycovirus infections may contribute to the multiplex interactions of hosts, therefore likely affecting the dynamics of fungal communities required for the functioning of soil ecosystems. However, the effects of fungal and oomycete viruses on soil ecological processes are still mostly unknown. Interestingly, new metagenomics data suggest an extensive level of horizontal virus transfer between plants, fungi and insects.

Viromes in Xylariaceae fungi infecting avocado in Spain

Four isolates of Entoleuca sp., family Xylariaceae, Ascomycota, recovered from avocado rhizosphere in Spain were analyzed for mycoviruses presence. For that, the dsRNAs from the mycelia were extracted and subjected to metagenomics analysis that revealed the presence of eleven viruses putatively belonging to families Partitiviridae, Hypoviridae, Megabirnaviridae, and orders Tymovirales and Bunyavirales, in addition to one ourmia-like virus plus other two unclassified virus species. Moreover, a sequence with 98% nucleotide identity to plant endornavirus Phaseolus vulgaris alphaendornavirus 1 has been identified in the Entoleuca sp. isolates. Concerning the virome composition, the four isolates only differed in the presence of the bunyavirus and the ourmia-like virus, while all other viruses showed common patterns. Specific primers allowed the detection by RT-PCR of these viruses in a collection of Entoleuca sp. and Rosellinia necatrix isolates obtained from roots of avocado trees. Results indicate that intra- and interspecies horizontal virus transmission occur frequently in this pathosystem.

Novel, diverse RNA viruses from Mediterranean isolates of the phytopathogenic fungus, Rosellinia necatrix: insights into evolutionary biology of fungal viruses

To reveal mycovirus diversity, we conducted a search of as-yet-unexplored Mediterranean isolates of the phytopathogenic ascomycete Rosellinia necatrix for virus infections. Of seventy-nine, eleven fungal isolates tested RNA virus-positive, with many showing coinfections, indicating a virus incidence of 14%, which is slightly lower than that (approximately 20%) previously reported for extensive surveys of over 1000 Japanese R. necatrix isolates. All viral sequences were fully or partially characterized by Sanger and next-generation sequencing. These sequences appear to represent isolates of various new species spanning at least 6 established or previously proposed families such as Partiti-, Hypo-, Megabirna-, Yado-kari-, Fusagra- and Fusarividae, as well as a newly proposed family, Megatotiviridae. This observation greatly expands the diversity of R. necatrix viruses, because no hypo-, fusagra- or megatotiviruses were previously reported from R. necatrix. The sequence analyses showed a rare horizontal gene transfer event of the 2A-like protease domain between a dsRNA (phlegivirus) and a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus (hypovirus). Moreover, many of the newly detected viruses showed the closest relation to viruses reported from fungi other than R. necatrix, such as Fusarium spp., which are sympatric to R. necatrix. These combined results imply horizontal virus transfer between these soil-inhabitant fungi.

Mycoviruses in the Plant Pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens Are Not Correlated with the Genetic Backgrounds of Its Hosts

Ustilaginoidea virens, the causal agent of rice false smut, is one of the most devastating grain diseases that causes loss of yield in most rice-growing areas worldwide. In this study, we performed a dsRNA screen to isolate mycoviruses from 35 U. virens strains. The results revealed that 34 of the tested isolates were infected by various dsRNA elements, displaying highly viral diversity and mixed infections. We characterized a 5.3 kbp dsRNA from a typical isolate containing dsRNA segments with sizes ranging from 0.5 to 5.3 kbp. Sequence analysis of its genomic properties indicated that it is a novel victorivirus, named Ustilaginoidea virens RNA virus 5 (UvRV5), that belongs to the family Totiviridae. RT-PCR detection was performed and indicated that not all the dsRNA bands that were 5.3 kbp in size contained UvRV5. Moreover, the genetic relatedness of all the U. virens strains was estimated according to phylogenetic analysis of the partial intergenic spacer region (IGS) sequences. However, concordance was not found between the dsRNA profiles and the IGS-based genetic relatedness of their host fungi.

Natural infection of the soil-borne fungus Rosellinia necatrix with novel mycoviruses under greenhouse conditions

Fungi are an important component of the soil ecosystem. Mycoviruses have numerous potential impacts on soil fungi, including phytopathogenic fungal species. However, the diversity and ecology of mycoviruses in soil fungi is largely unexplored. Our previous work has shown that the soil-borne phytopathogenic fungus Rosellinia necatrix was infected with several novel mycoviruses after growing for 2-3 years in an apple orchard. In this study, we investigated whether natural infection of R. necatrix with mycoviruses occurs under limited conditions. Virus-free R. necatrix isolates were grown in a small bucket containing soil samples for a short time (1.5-4.5 months) under greenhouse conditions. Screening of dsRNA mycoviruses among 365 retrieved isolates showed that four, including 6-31, 6-33, 6-35, and 7-11, harbored virus-like dsRNAs. Molecular characterization of the dsRNAs revealed that three retrieved isolates, 6-31, 6-33, and 6-35 were infected with a novel endornavirus and isolate 7-11 is infected with a novel partitivirus belonging to the genus Alphapartitivirus. These novel mycoviruses had no overt biological impact on R. necatrix. Overall, this study indicates that natural infections of R. necatrix with new mycoviruses can occur under experimental soil conditions.

A novel betapartitivirus RnPV6 from Rosellinia necatrix tolerates host RNA silencing but is interfered by its defective RNAs

The family Partitiviridae comprises of five genera with bi-segmented dsRNA genomes that accommodate members infecting plants, fungi or protists. All partitiviruses with only a few exceptions cause asymptomatic infections. We report the characterization of a novel betapartitivirus termed Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 6 (RnPV6) from a field isolate of a plant pathogenic fungus, white root rot fungus. RnPV6 has typical partitivirus features: dsRNA1 and dsRNA2 are 2462 and 2499bps in length encoding RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and capsid protein. Purified particles are spherical with a diameter of 30nm. Taking advantage of infectivity as virions, RnPV6 was introduced into a model filamentous fungal host, chestnut blight fungus to investigate virus/host interactions. Unlike other partitiviruses tested previously, RnPV6 induced profound phenotypic alterations with symptoms characterized by a reduced growth rate and enhanced pigmentation and was tolerant to host RNA silencing. In addition, a variety of defective RNAs derived from dsRNA1 appear after virion transfection. These sub-viral RNAs were shown to interfere with RnPV6 replication, at least for that of cognate segment dsRNA1. Presence of these sub-viral elements resulted in reduced symptom expression by RnPV6, suggesting their nature as defective-interfering RNAs. The features of RnPV6 are similar to but distinct from those of a previously reported alphapartitivirus, Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 2 that is susceptible to RNA silencing.

A novel single-stranded RNA virus isolated from a phytopathogenic filamentous fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, with similarity to hypo-like viruses

Here we report a biological and molecular characterization of a novel positive-sense RNA virus isolated from a field isolate (NW10) of a filamentous phytopathogenic fungus, the white root rot fungus that is designated as Rosellinia necatrix fusarivirus 1 (RnFV1). A recently developed technology using zinc ions allowed us to transfer RnFV1 to two mycelially incompatible Rosellinia necatrix strains. A biological comparison of the virus-free and -recipient isogenic fungal strains suggested that RnFV1 infects latently and thus has no potential as a virocontrol agent. The virus has an undivided positive-sense RNA genome of 6286 nucleotides excluding a poly (A) tail. The genome possesses two non-overlapping open reading frames (ORFs): a large ORF1 that encodes polypeptides with RNA replication functions and a smaller ORF2 that encodes polypeptides of unknown function. A lack of coat protein genes was suggested by the failure of virus particles from infected mycelia. No evidence was obtained by Northern analysis or classical 5′-RACE for the presence of subgenomic RNA for the downstream ORF. Sequence similarities were found in amino-acid sequence between RnFV1 putative proteins and counterparts of a previously reported mycovirus, Fusarium graminearum virus 1 (FgV1). Interestingly, several related sequences were detected by BLAST searches of independent transcriptome assembly databases one of which probably represents an entire virus genome. Phylogenetic analysis based on the conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase showed that RnFV1, FgV1, and these similar sequences are grouped in a cluster distinct from distantly related hypoviruses. It is proposed that a new taxonomic family termed Fusariviridae be created to include RnFV1 and FgV1.

Hypovirulence of the phytopathogenic fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea: association with a coinfecting chrysovirus and a partitivirus

Botryosphaeria dothidea is an important pathogenic fungus causing fruit rot, leaf and stem ring spots and dieback, stem canker, stem death or stool mortality, and decline of pear trees. Seven double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs; dsRNAs 1 to 7 with sizes of 3,654, 2,773, 2,597, 2,574, 1,823, 1,623, and 511 bp, respectively) were identified in an isolate of B. dothidea exhibiting attenuated growth and virulence and a sectoring phenotype. Characterization of the dsRNAs revealed that they belong to two dsRNA mycoviruses. The four largest dsRNAs (dsRNAs 1 to 4) are the genomic components of a novel member of the family Chrysoviridae (tentatively designated Botryosphaeria dothidea chrysovirus 1 [BdCV1]), a view supported by the morphology of the virions and phylogenetic analysis of the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps). Two other dsRNAs (dsRNAs 5 and 6) are the genomic components of a novel member of the family Partitiviridae (tentatively designated Botryosphaeria dothidea partitivirus 1 [BdPV1]), which is placed in a clade distinct from other established partitivirus genera on the basis of the phylogenetic analysis of its RdRp. The smallest dsRNA, dsRNA7, seems to be a noncoding satellite RNA of BdPV1 on the basis of the conservation of its terminal sequences in BdPV1 genomic segments and its cosegregation with BdPV1 after horizontal transmission. This is the first report of a chrysovirus and a partitivirus infecting B. dothidea and of a chrysovirus associated with the hypovirulence of a phytopathogenic fungus.

IMPORTANCE

Our studies identified and characterized two novel mycoviruses, Botryosphaeria dothidea chrysovirus 1 (BdCV1) and Botryosphaeria dothidea partitivirus 1 (BdPV1), associated with the hypovirulence of an important fungus pathogenic to fruit trees. This is the first report of a chrysovirus and a partitivirus infecting B. dothidea and of a chrysovirus associated with the hypovirulence of a phytopathogenic fungus. BdCV1 appears to be a good candidate for the biological control of the serious disease induced by B. dothidea. Additionally, BdPV1 is placed in a clade distinct from the established genera. The BdCV1 capsid has two major structural proteins, and the capsid is distinct from that made up by a single polypeptide of the typical chrysoviruses. BdPV1 is the second partitivirus in which the putative capsid protein shares no significant identity with any mycovirus protein. A small accompanying dsRNA that is presumed to be a noncoding satellite RNA of BdPV1 is the first of its kind reported for a partitivirus.

Biological properties and expression strategy of rosellinia necatrix megabirnavirus 1 analysed in an experimental host, Cryphonectria parasitica

Rosellinia necatrix megabirnavirus 1 (RnMBV1) with a bipartite dsRNA genome (dsRNA1 and dsRNA2) confers hypovirulence to its natural host, the white root rot fungus, and is thus regarded as a potential virocontrol (biocontrol) agent. Each segment has two large ORFs: ORF1 and partially overlapping ORF2 on dsRNA1 encode the major capsid protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), whilst ORF3 and ORF4 on dsRNA2 encode polypeptides with unknown functions. Here, we report the biological and molecular characterization of this virus in the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, a filamentous fungus that has been used as a model for mycovirus research. Transfection with purified RnMBV1 particles into an RNA-silencing-defective strain (Δdcl-2) of C. parasitica and subsequent anastomosis with the WT strain (EP155) resulted in stable persistent infection in both host strains. However, accumulation levels in the two strains were different, being ~20-fold higher in Δdcl-2 than in EP155. Intriguingly, whilst RnMBV1 reduced both virulence and growth rate in Δdcl-2, it attenuated virulence without affecting significantly other traits in EP155. Western blot analysis using antiserum against recombinant proteins encoded by either ORF1 or ORF2 demonstrated the presence of a 250 kDa protein in purified virion preparations, suggesting that RdRp is expressed as a CP fusion product via a −1 frameshift. Antiserum against the ORF3-encoded protein allowed the detection of 150, 30 and 23 kDa polypeptides specifically in RnMBV1-infected mycelia. Some properties of an RnMBV1 mutant with genome rearrangements, which occurred after transfection of Δdcl-2 and EP155, were also presented. This study provides an additional example of C. parasitica serving as a versatile, heterologous fungus for exploring virus–host interactions and virus gene expression strategies.

Genome rearrangement of a mycovirus Rosellinia necatrix megabirnavirus 1 affecting its ability to attenuate virulence of the host fungus

Rosellinia necatrix megabirnavirus 1 (RnMBV1) is a bi-segmented double-stranded RNA mycovirus that reduces the virulence of the fungal plant pathogen R. necatrix. We isolated strains of RnMBV1 with genome rearrangements (RnMBV1-RS1) that retained dsRNA1, encoding capsid protein (ORF1) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (ORF2), and had a newly emerged segment named dsRNAS1, but with loss of dsRNA2, which contains two ORFs of unknown function. Analyses of two variants of dsRNAS1 revealed that they both originated from dsRNA1 by deletion of ORF1 and partial tandem duplication of ORF2, retaining a much shorter 5' untranslated region (UTR). R. necatrix transfected with RnMBV-RS1 virions showed maintenance of virulence on host plants compared with infection with RnMBV1. This suggests that dsRNAS1 is able to be transcribed and packaged, as well as suggesting that dsRNA2, while dispensable for virus replication, is required to reduce the virulence of R. necatrix.

[Cryphonectria parasitica as a host of fungal viruses: a tool useful to unravel the mycovirus world]

There appear to be over a million of fungal species including those that have been unidentified and unreported, where a variety of viruses make a world as well. Studies on a very small number of them conducted during the last two decades demonstrated the infectivity of fungal viruses that had previously been assumed to be inheritable, indigenus and non-infectious. Also, great technical advances were achieved. The chest blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica), a phytopathogenic ascomycetous fungus, has emerged as a model filamentous fungus for fungal virology. The genome sequence with annotations, albeit not thorough, many useful research tools, and gene manipulation technologies are available for this fungus. Importantly, C. parasitica can support replication of homologous viruses naturally infecting it, in addition to heterologous viruses infecting another plant pathogenic fungus, Rosellinia necatrix taxonomically belonging to a different order. In this article, I overview general properties of fungal viruses and advantages of the chestnut blight fungus as a mycovirus host. Furthermore, I introduce two recent studies carried out using this fungal host:''Defective interfering RNA and RNA silencing that regulate the replication of a partitivirus'' and'' RNA silencing and RNA recombination''.

Occurrence of dsRNA Mycovirus (LeV-FMRI0339) in the Edible Mushroom Lentinula edodes and Meiotic Stability of LeV-FMRI0339 among Monokaryotic Progeny

dsRNA was found in malformed cultures of Lentinula edodes strain FMRI0339, one of the three most popular sawdust cultivated commercial strains of shiitake, and was also found in healthy-looking fruiting bodies and actively growing mycelia. Cloning of the partial genome of the dsRNA revealed the presence of the RdRp sequence of a novel L. edodes mycovirus (LeV), and sequence comparison of the cloned amplicon showed identical sequences sequence to known RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes of LeV found in strain HKA. The meiotic stability of dsRNA was examined by measuring the ratio of the presence of dsRNA among sexual monokaryotic progeny. More than 40% of the monokaryotic progeny still contained the dsRNA, indicating the persistence of dsRNA during sexual reproduction. Comparing the mycelia growth of monokaryotic progeny suggested that there appeared to be a tendency toward a lower frequency of virus incidence in actively growing progeny.

Potentiation of mycovirus transmission by zinc compounds via attenuation of heterogenic incompatibility in Rosellinia necatrix

Heterogenic incompatibility is considered a defense mechanism against deleterious intruders such as mycovirus. Rosellinia necatrix shows strong heterogenic incompatibility. In the heterogenic incompatibility reaction, the approaching hyphae hardly anastomosed, a distinctive barrage line formed, and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled hyphae quickly lost their fluorescence when encountering incompatible hyphae. In this study, transmission of a hypovirulence-conferring mycovirus to strains with different genetic backgrounds was attempted. Various chemical reagents considered to affect the programmed cell death pathway or cell wall modification were examined. Treatment with zinc compounds was shown to aid in transmission of mycoviruses to strains with different genetic backgrounds. In incompatible pairings, treatment with zinc compounds accelerated hyphal anastomosis; moreover, cytosolic GFP was transmitted to the newly joined hyphae. These results suggest that zinc compounds not only increase hyphal anastomosis but also attenuate heterogenic incompatibility.

A novel victorivirus from a phytopathogenic fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, is infectious as particles and targeted by RNA silencing

A novel victorivirus, termed Rosellinia necatrix victorivirus 1 (RnVV1), was isolated from a plant pathogenic ascomycete, white root rot fungus Rosellinia necatrix, coinfected with a partitivirus. The virus was molecularly and biologically characterized using the natural and experimental hosts (chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica). RnVV1 was shown to have typical molecular victorivirus attributes, including a monopartite double-stranded RNA genome with two open reading frames (ORFs) encoding capsid protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a UAAUG pentamer presumed to facilitate the coupled termination/reinitiation for translation of the two ORFs, a spherical particle structure ~40 nm in diameter, and moderate levels of CP and RdRp sequence identity (34 to 58%) to those of members of the genus Victorivirus within the family Totiviridae. A reproducible transfection system with purified RnVV1 virions was developed for the two distinct fungal hosts. Transfection assay with purified RnVV1 virions combined with virus elimination by hyphal tipping showed that the effects of RnVV1 on the phenotype of the natural host were negligible. Interestingly, comparison of the RNA silencing-competent (standard strain EP155) and -defective (Δdcl-2) strains of C. parasitica infected with RnVV1 showed that RNA silencing acted against the virus to repress its replication, which was restored by coinfection with hypovirus or transgenic expression of an RNA silencing suppressor, hypovirus p29. Phenotypic changes were observed in the Δdcl-2 strain but not in EP155. This is the first reported study on the host range expansion of a Totiviridae member that is targeted by RNA silencing.

Viruses of the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix

Rosellinia necatrix is a filamentous ascomycete that is pathogenic to a wide range of perennial plants worldwide. An extensive search for double-stranded RNA of a large collection of field isolates led to the detection of a variety of viruses. Since the first identification of a reovirus in this fungus in 2002, several novel viruses have been molecularly characterized that include members of at least five virus families. While some cause phenotypic alterations, many others show latent infections. Viruses attenuating the virulence of a host fungus to its plant hosts attract much attention as agents for virocontrol (biological control using viruses) of the fungus, one of which is currently being tested in experimental fields. Like the Cryphonectria parasitica/viruses, the R. necatrix/viruses have emerged as an amenable system for studying virus/host and virus/virus interactions. Several techniques have recently been developed that enhance the investigation of virus etiology, replication, and symptom induction in this mycovirus/fungal host system.

Virus community dynamics in the conifer pathogenic fungus Heterobasidion parviporum following an artificial introduction of a partitivirus

Viruses infecting the conifer pathogenic fungus Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato are intracellular and spread via anastomosis contacts. In the laboratory, these viruses transmit readily even between somatically incompatible isolates, but their dispersal capacity in natural conditions has not been previously studied. We introduced a mycovirus to a heavily diseased forest site by inoculating Norway spruce stumps with heartrot decay using a mycelial suspension of Heterobasidion parviporum strain RT3.49C hosting the partitivirus strain HetRV4-pa1. The Heterobasidion population at the sample plot was screened for mycoviruses prior to and after the inoculation. Based on sequence analysis, the resident H. parviporum strains harbored six different strains of the virus species Heterobasidion RNA virus 6 (HetRV6) and one strain of HetRV4 prior to the inoculation. After three growth seasons, the inoculated H. parviporum host strain was not detected, but the introduced virus had infected two resident H. parviporum genets. The presence of a preexisting HetRV6 infection did not hinder spread of the introduced partitivirus but resulted in coinfections instead. The resident HetRV6 virus population seemed to be highly stable during the incubation period, while the single indigenous HetRV4 infection was not detected after the inoculation. In laboratory infection experiments, the introduced virus could be transmitted successfully into all of the resident H. parviporum genets. This study shows for the first time transmission of a Heterobasidion virus between somatically incompatible hosts in natural conditions.

Appearance of mycovirus-like double-stranded RNAs in the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, in an apple orchard

In general, mycoviruses are transmitted through hyphal anastomosis between vegetatively compatible strains of the same fungi, and their entire intracellular life cycle within host fungi limits transmission to separate species and even to incompatible strains belonging to the same species. Based on field observations of the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, we found two interesting phenomena concerning mycovirus epidemiology. Specifically, apple trees in an orchard were inoculated with one or two R. necatrix strains that belonged to different mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs), strains W563 (virus-free, MCG139) and NW10 (carrying a mycovirus-like double-stranded (ds) RNA element (N10), MCG442). Forty-two sub-isolates of R. necatrix, which were retrieved 2-3 years later, were all genetically identical to W563 or NW10: however, 22 of the sub-isolates contained novel dsRNAs. Six novel dsRNAs (S1-S6) were isolated: S1 was a new victorivirus; S2, S3, and S4 were new partitiviruses; and S5 and S6 were novel viruses that could not be assigned to any known mycovirus family. N10 dsRNA was detected in three W563 sub-isolates. These findings indicated that novel mycoviruses, from an unknown source, were infecting strains W563 and NW10 of R. necatrix in the soil, and that N10 dsRNA was being transmitted between incompatible strains, NW10 to W563.

Developing tools to unravel the biological secrets of Rosellinia necatrix, an emergent threat to woody crops

White root rot caused by Rosellinia necatrix is one of the most destructive diseases of many woody plants in the temperate regions of the world, particularly in Europe and Asia. Recent outbreaks of R. necatrix around the globe have increased the interest in this pathogen. Although the ecology of the disease has been poorly studied, recent genetic and molecular advances have opened the way for future detailed studies of this fungus.

TAXONOMY

Rosellinia necatrix Prilleux. Kingdom Fungi; subdivision Ascomycotina; class Euascomycetes; subclass Pyrenomycetes; order Sphaeriales, syn. Xylariales; family Xylariaceae; genus Rosellinia.

IDENTIFICATION

Fungal mycelium is present on root surfaces and under the bark, forming mycelium fans, strands or cords. A typical presence of pear-shaped or pyriform swellings can be found above the hyphal septum (with diameters of up to 13 µm). Sclerotia are black, hard and spherical nodules, several millimetres in diameter. Black sclerotia crusts may also form on roots. On synthetic media, it forms microsclerotia: irregular rough bodies composed of a compact mass of melanized, interwoven hyphae with no differentiated cells. Chlamydospores are almost spherical (15 µm in diameter). Synnemata, also named coremia (0.5-1.5 mm in length), can be formed from sclerotia or from mycelial masses. Conidia (3-5 µm in length and 2.5-3 µm in width) are very difficult to germinate in vitro. Ascospores are monostichous, situated inside a cylindrical, long-stalked ascus. They are ellipsoidal and cymbiform (36-46 µm in length and 5.5-6.3 µm in width).

HOST RANGE

This fungus can attack above 170 different plant hosts from 63 genera and 30 different families, including vascular plants and algae. Some are of significant economic importance, such as Coffea spp., Malus spp., Olea europaea L., Persea americana Mill., Prunus spp. and Vitis vinifera L.

DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Rosellinia necatrix causes white (or Dematophora) root rot, which, by aerial symptoms, shows a progressive weakening of the plant, accompanied by a decline in vigour. The leaves wilt and dry, and the tree can eventually die. White cottony mycelium and mycelial strands can be observed in the crown and on the root surface. On woody plant roots, the fungus can be located between the bark and the wood, developing typical mycelium fans, invading the whole root and causing general rotting.

DISEASE CONTROL

Some approaches have been attempted involving the use of tolerant plants and physical control (solarization). Chemical control in the field and biological control methods are still under development.

[Mycoviruses and virocontrol]

Viruses are widespread in all major groups of fungi. The transmission of fungal viruses occurs intracellularly during cell division, sporogenesis, and cell fusion. They apparently lack an extracellular route for infection. Recent searches of the collections of field fungal isolates have detected an increasing number of novel viruses and lead to discoveries of novel genome organizations, expression strategies and virion structures. Those findings enhanced our understanding of virus diversity and evolution. The majority of fungal viruses have dsRNA genomes packaged in spherical particles, while ssRNA mycoviruses, possessing or lacking the ability to form particles, have increasingly been reported. This review article discusses the current status of mycovirus studies and virocontrol (biocontrol) of phytopathogenic fungi using viruses that infect them and reduce their virulence. Selected examples of virocontrol-associated systems include the chestnut/chestnut blight/hypovirus and fruit trees/white root rot fungus/mycoviruses. Natural dissemination and artificial introduction of hypovirulent fungal strains efficiently contributed to virocontrol of chestnut blight in European forests. Attempts to control white root rot with hypovirulence-conferring mycoviruses are now being made in Japan.

Widespread endogenization of genome sequences of non-retroviral RNA viruses into plant genomes

Non-retroviral RNA virus sequences (NRVSs) have been found in the chromosomes of vertebrates and fungi, but not plants. Here we report similarly endogenized NRVSs derived from plus-, negative-, and double-stranded RNA viruses in plant chromosomes. These sequences were found by searching public genomic sequence databases, and, importantly, most NRVSs were subsequently detected by direct molecular analyses of plant DNAs. The most widespread NRVSs were related to the coat protein (CP) genes of the family Partitiviridae which have bisegmented dsRNA genomes, and included plant- and fungus-infecting members. The CP of a novel fungal virus (Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 2, RnPV2) had the greatest sequence similarity to Arabidopsis thaliana ILR2, which is thought to regulate the activities of the phytohormone auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Furthermore, partitivirus CP-like sequences much more closely related to plant partitiviruses than to RnPV2 were identified in a wide range of plant species. In addition, the nucleocapsid protein genes of cytorhabdoviruses and varicosaviruses were found in species of over 9 plant families, including Brassicaceae and Solanaceae. A replicase-like sequence of a betaflexivirus was identified in the cucumber genome. The pattern of occurrence of NRVSs and the phylogenetic analyses of NRVSs and related viruses indicate that multiple independent integrations into many plant lineages may have occurred. For example, one of the NRVSs was retained in Ar. thaliana but not in Ar. lyrata or other related Camelina species, whereas another NRVS displayed the reverse pattern. Our study has shown that single- and double-stranded RNA viral sequences are widespread in plant genomes, and shows the potential of genome integrated NRVSs to contribute to resolve unclear phylogenetic relationships of plant species.

Cytological analysis of mycelial incompatibility in Helicobasidium mompa

When the mycelia of Helicobasidium mompa encounter mycelia with a different genetic background, distinct demarcation lines form. The hyphae of H. mompa induce heterogenic incompatibility accompanied by active programmed cell death (PCD) process. In this study, we observed hyphal interaction between compatible and incompatible H. mompa pairs by means of light and electron microscopy. PCD started with one of the two approaching hyphae. Heterochromatin condensation and genomic DNA laddering were not observed. Moreover, cell damage began with the tonoplast and continued with the plasma membrane and nuclear membrane, suggesting that the PCD observed in heterogenic incompatibility of H. mompa is a vacuole-mediated process.

Cytological analysis of mycelial incompatibility in Rosellinia necatrix

When the mycelia of Rosellinia necatrix encounter mycelia with a different genetic background, distinct barrage lines form. In this study, we observed hyphal interactions between compatible and incompatible R. necatrix pairs by means of light and electron microscopy. Although we observed perfect hyphal anastomosis in compatible pairs of isolates, the hyphae never anastomosed in incompatible pairs (i.e., the hyphae remained parallel or crossed over without merging). These behaviours appeared to result from the detection of or failure to detect one or more diffusible factors. The attraction to other hyphae in pairs of incompatible isolates was increased by supplementation of the growing medium with activated charcoal, although no anastomosis was observed and ultrastructural observation confirmed a lack of hyphal anastomosis. Programmed cell death (PCD) started with one of the two approaching hyphae. Heterochromatin condensation and genomic DNA fragmentation were not observed. Moreover, cell damage began with the tonoplast and continued with the plasma and nuclear membranes, suggesting that the PCD observed in heterogenic incompatibility of R. necatrix was a vacuole-mediated process.

Genetic analysis of barrage line formation during mycelial incompatibility in Rosellinia necatrix

When mycelia of Rosellinia necatrix encounter mycelia of a different genetic strain, distinct barrage lines are formed between the two. These barrages have variable features such as pigmented pseudosclerotia structures, a clear zone, fuzzy hair-like mycelia, or tuft-like mycelia, suggesting that mycelial incompatibility triggers a number of cellular reactions. In this study, to evaluate cellular reactions we performed genetic analysis of mycelial incompatibility of R. nectarix, using 20 single ascospore isolates from single perithecia. Mycelial interaction zones were removed by spatula and cellular reactions studied on oatmeal agar media. The interaction zones were categorized into types such as sharp or wide lines, with or without melanin, and combinations of these. Although various reaction types were observed, we were able to identify a single genetic factor that appears to be responsible for the barrage line formation within oatmeal agar medium. DNA polymorphism analysis identified parental isolates and revealed that R. necatrix has a heterothallic life cycle.

Extending the fungal host range of a partitivirus and a mycoreovirus from Rosellinia necatrix by inoculation of protoplasts with virus particles

The potential host range of mycoviruses is poorly understood because of the lack of suitable inoculation methods. Recently, successful transfection has been reported for somatically incompatible fungal isolates with purified virus particles of two mycoviruses, the partitivirus RnPV1-W8 (RnPV1) and the mycoreovirus RnMyRV3/W370 (MyRV3), from the white root rot fungus Rosellinia necatrix (class Sordariomycetes, subclass Xylariomycetidae). These studies examined and revealed the effect of the mycoviruses on growth and pathogenicity of R. necatrix. Here, we extended the experimental host range of these two mycoviruses using a transfection approach. Protoplasts of other phytopathogenic Sordariomycetous fungi-Diaporthe sp., Cryphonectria parasitica, Valsa ceratosperma (Sordariomycetidae), and Glomerella cingulata (Hypocreomycetidae)-were inoculated with RnPV1 and MyRV3 viral particles. The presence of double-stranded RNA viral genomes in regenerated mycelia of Diaporthe sp., C. parasitica, and V. ceratosperma confirmed both types of viral infections in these three novel host species. An established RnPV1 infection was confirmed in G. cingulata but MyRV3 did not infect this host. Horizontal transmission of both viruses from newly infected strains to virus-free, wild-type strains through hyphal anastomosis was readily achieved by dual culture; however, vertical transmission through conidia was rarely observed. The virulence of Diaporthe sp., C. parasitica, and V. ceratosperma strains harboring MyRV3 was reduced compared with their virus-free counterpart. In summary, our protoplast inoculation method extended the experimental host range of RnPV1-W8 and MyRV3 within the class Sordariomycetes and revealed that MyRV3 confers hypovirulence to the new hosts, as it does to R. necatrix.

Mycovirus inPseudocercospora griseola, the causal agent of angular leaf spot in common bean

Pseudocercospora griseola (Sacc.) Crous & Braun is a widespread fungal phytopathogen that is responsible for angular leaf spot in the common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A number of fungal phytopathogens have been shown to harbour mycoviruses, and this possibility was investigated in populations of Pseudocercospora griseola. The total nucleic acid extracts of 61 fungal isolates were subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. Small fragments (800–4800 bp) could be identified in 42 of the samples. The presence of dsRNA in isolate Ig838 was confirmed by treatment of total nucleic acid with DNase, RNase A, and nuclease S1. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of viral-like particles 40 nm in diameter in the mycelia of 2 fungal isolates, namely 29-3 and Ig838. The transmission of dsRNA by means of conidia was 100% for isolate 29-3, but there was loss of 1–6 fragments of dsRNA in monosporic colonies of isolate Ig848. Cycloheximide treatment failed to inhibit the mycovirus in isolate 29-3, but proved efficient in the elimination of the 2.2, 2.0, 1.8, 1.2 and 1.0 kb fragments in 2 colonies of isolate Ig848. The occurrence of a mycovirus in Pseudocercospora griseola was demonstrated for the first time in the present study.

A novel bipartite double-stranded RNA Mycovirus from the white root rot Fungus Rosellinia necatrix: molecular and biological characterization, taxonomic considerations, and potential for biological control

White root rot, caused by the ascomycete Rosellinia necatrix, is a devastating disease worldwide, particularly in fruit trees in Japan. Here we report on the biological and molecular properties of a novel bipartite double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus encompassing dsRNA-1 (8,931 bp) and dsRNA-2 (7,180 bp), which was isolated from a field strain of R. necatrix, W779. Besides the strictly conserved 5' (24 nt) and 3' (8 nt) terminal sequences, both segments show high levels of sequence similarity in the long 5' untranslated region of approximately 1.6 kbp. dsRNA-1 and -2 each possess two open reading frames (ORFs) named ORF1 to -4. Although the protein encoded by 3'-proximal ORF2 on dsRNA-1 shows sequence identities of 22 to 32% with RNA-dependent RNA polymerases from members of the families Totiviridae and Chrysoviridae, the remaining three virus-encoded proteins lack sequence similarities with any reported mycovirus proteins. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the W779 virus belongs to a separate clade distinct from those of other known mycoviruses. Purified virions approximately 50 nm in diameter consisted of dsRNA-1 and -2 and a single major capsid protein of 135 kDa, which was shown by peptide mass fingerprinting to be encoded by dsRNA-1 ORF1. We developed a transfection protocol using purified virions to show that the virus was responsible for reduction of virulence and mycelial growth in several host strains. These combined results indicate that the W779 virus is a novel bipartite dsRNA virus with potential for biological control (virocontrol), named Rosellinia necatrix megabirnavirus 1 (RnMBV1), that possibly belongs to a new virus family.

Viruses of plant pathogenic fungi

Mycoviruses are widespread in all major groups of plant pathogenic fungi. They are transmitted intracellularly during cell division, sporogenesis, and cell fusion, but apparently lack an extracellular route for infection. Their natural host ranges are limited to individuals within the same or closely related vegetative compatibility groups. Recent advances, however, allowed the establishment of experimental host ranges for a few mycoviruses. Although the majority of known mycoviruses have dsRNA genomes that are packaged in isometric particles, an increasing number of usually unencapsidated mycoviruses with positive-strand RNA genomes have been reported. We discuss selected mycoviruses that cause debilitating diseases and/or reduce the virulence of their phytopathogenic fungal hosts. Such fungal-virus systems are valuable for the development of novel biocontol strategies and for gaining an insight into the molecular basis of fungal virulence. The availability of viral and host genome sequences and of transformation and transfection protocols for some plant pathogenic fungi will contribute to progress in fungal virology.

Artificial Infection of Rosellinia necatrix with Purified Viral Particles of a Member of the Genus Mycoreovirus Reveals Its Uneven Distribution in Single Colonies

ABSTRACT Rosellinia necatrix mycoreovirus 3 (W370) (RnMYRV-3/W370, described as RnMYRV-3 in this paper), a member of the newly established genus Mycoreovirus within the family Reoviridae, is the hypovirulence factor of the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix. Two virus-free fungal isolates (W37 and W97) that were somatically incompatible with the virus-harboring field isolate (W370) were transfected with purified RnMYRV-3 particles. Virus infection was confirmed by electrophoresis and northern hybridization of viral double-stranded RNA. RnMYRV-3 was transmissible from transfected strains to their respective, virus-free counterparts via hyphal anastomosis. Virus-transfected strains produced smaller lesions on apple fruits than did their virus-free counterparts. Virus-cured strains were indistinguishable from wild-type strains in culture morphology and displayed approximately the same virulence level on apples. Virus-transfected strains had "mosaic" colony portions consisting of thin, fast-growing and dense, slow-growing mycelia, and grew more slowly as a whole than their virus-free, parental strains. The level of virus accumulation varied among virus-transfected subcultures and within its single colonies. Virus-transfected strains were occasionally cured, as was W370. Such a phenomenon may be ascribed to uneven viral distribution in single colonies and the difficulty in viral transmission to virus-free hyphae.

Synergism between a mycoreovirus and a hypovirus mediated by the papain-like protease p29 of the prototypic hypovirus CHV1-EP713

Infection of the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, by the prototypic hypovirus Cryphonectria hypovirus 1-EP713 (CHV1-EP713) or by the type member, Mycoreovirus 1-Cp9B21 (MyRV1-Cp9B21), of a novel genus (Mycoreovirus) of the family Reoviridae results in hypovirulence, but with a different spectrum of phenotypic changes. The former virus depresses pigmentation and conidiation dramatically, whilst the latter virus has little effect on these processes. This study showed that double infection by the two viruses resulted in a phenotype similar to that of CHV1-EP713 singly infected colonies, but with further decreased levels of host conidiation and vegetative growth and increased levels of MyRV1-Cp9B21 genomic dsRNA accumulation (twofold) and vertical transmission (sixfold). In contrast, CHV1-EP713 RNA accumulation was not altered by MyRV1-Cp9B21 infection. It was also found that the papain-like cysteine protease p29, encoded by CHV1-EP713 ORF A, contributes to the phenotypic alterations and transactivation of MyRV1-Cp9B21 replication and transmission. Chromosomally expressed p29 was able to increase MyRV1-Cp9B21 vertical transmission by more than twofold and genomic RNA accumulation by 80 %. Transactivation was abolished by Cys-->Gly mutations at p29 residues 70 and 72 located within the previously identified symptom-determinant domain required for suppression of host pigmentation and sporulation and p29-mediated in trans enhancement of homologous Deltap29 mutant virus RNA replication. Transactivation was not altered by Ser substitutions at the p29 protease catalytic residue Cys(162). These results indicated a link between p29-mediated enhancement of heterologous virus accumulation and transmission and p29-mediated host symptom expression. The role of p29 as a suppressor of RNA silencing is discussed.

Horizontal transfer and hypovirulence associated with double-stranded RNA in Beauveria bassiana

Beauveria bassiana strains from different hosts and geographic origins were assayed for the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Two of them (15.4%) showed extra bands, with approximately 4.0-3.5 kb and 2-0.7 kb, respectively, after electrophoretic separation of undigested nucleic acids. Virus-like particles were approximately 28-30 nm diam. The dsRNA was maintained after conidiogenesis (vertical transmission) and was transmitted horizontally by hyphal anastomosis. Strains purged of dsRNA obtained after cycloheximide treatment showed increased conidial production when compared with strains carrying dsRNA particles. Bioassays demonstrated hypovirulence associated with dsRNA. The mean mortality against the insect Euschistus heros was reduced in strains containing dsRNA when compared with the isogenic dsRNA-free ones.

Comparison between Rosellinia necatrix isolates from soil and diseased roots in terms of hypovirulence

The white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, is a devastating soil-borne pathogen of many plant species. Biocontrol with the hypovirulence factor is promising, but disease symptoms, signs or culture morphology of the pathogen cannot be reliably used as markers for hypovirulence in this fungus. We attempted to obtain hypovirulent isolates from soil rather than from diseased roots, based on the hypothesis that hypovirulent isolates were more likely to persist in soil as saprobes. Sixteen isolates, belonging to eight mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs), were obtained from soil in two active and one abandoned Japanese pear orchards. Comparison of these isolates based on clonality revealed that six MCGs were commonly recovered from both diseased roots and soil and two MCGs exclusively from soil. No MCG was found in more than one orchard. With two exceptions, isolates within the same MCG were similar in virulence, competitive saprophytic ability (CSA) and mycelial growth rate whether or not they carried dsRNA. The two exceptional isolates recovered from soil had multiple dsRNA segments that caused hypovirulence, weakened CSA and restricted mycelial growth on nutrient-rich media. They belonged to different MCGs, each including dsRNA-free isolates. Isolates from soil contained various dsRNAs (44%), including the hypovirulence factor, more frequently than isolates from diseased roots in the same fields (25%), which is much higher than the proportion of isolates with dsRNA from diseased roots (19%) in a total of 424 isolates from Japan examined so far. These results suggest that isolation of R. necatrix from soil is an effective method to obtain isolates with dsRNAs, including the hypovirulence factor.

The wide distribution of endornaviruses, large double-stranded RNA replicons with plasmid-like properties

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) recently accepted Endornavirus as a new genus of plant dsRNA virus. We have determined the partial nucleotide sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase regions from the large dsRNAs (about 14 kbp) isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare), kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), melon (Cucumis melo), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), Malabar spinach (Basella alba), seagrass (Zostera marina), and the fungus Helicobasidium mompa. Phylogenetic analyses of these seven dsRNAs indicate that these dsRNAs are new members of the genus Endornavirus that are widely distributed over the plant and fungal kingdoms.

Infection of Rosellinia necatrix with purified viral particles of a member of Partitiviridae (RnPV1-W8)

Isolate W8 of the white root rot fungus, Rosellinia necatrix, harbors three dsRNA segments, L1-, L2- and M-dsRNAs, and showed an irregular colony margin, slow growth, and moderate virulence. The M-dsRNA was previously shown to be the genome of a partitivirus, RnPV1-W8. Here a transfection protocol was developed for RnPV1-W8. Protoplasts of two virus-free isolates of R. necatrix were inoculated with purified viral particles using a polyethylene glycol-mediated method. Virus infection was confirmed by electrophoresis and Northern analysis. RnPV1-W8 introduced into the new host isolates was transmissible via hyphal anastomosis. However, the infection had no effect on the morphology and virulence of infected isolates of R. necatrix. This is the first report on the transfection of a partitivirus for R. necatrix.

Dynamics of double-stranded RNA segments in a Helicobasidium mompa clone from a tulip tree plantation

Eighty-three isolates of the violet root rot fungus, Helicobasidium mompa, were collected in a tulip tree plantation and analyzed for the dynamics of double-stranded (ds) RNA for five years. They were divided into eight mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs). Prevalent MCGs 60 and 68 included 61 and 11 isolates, respectively. Electrophoretic profiles of dsRNA in the first year collection of MCG 60 contained no or a single large dsRNA (more than 10 kb) with or without small dsRNAs (ca. 2.0-2.5 kb). Additional dsRNA fragments, i.e., a middle dsRNA (ca. 8.0 kb) or another type of small dsRNAs, became evident within MCG 60 isolates with time. Northern hybridization revealed the relatedness of all large and middle dsRNA fragments within MCG 60 but small fragments of dsRNA were variable. Large dsRNA fragment differed from that in other MCGs even in the same field. Correlation between specific dsRNA fragments and hypovirulence was not observed. Possible explanations for the accumulation of dsRNA fragments during the growth of disease patch by MCG 60 are discussed in terms of their internal changes such as evolution of novel dsRNA fragments from pre-existing viruses or fungal genomic DNA and horizontal transmissions.

Characterization of double-stranded RNA elements in the violet root rot fungus Helicobasidium mompa

Double-stranded (ds) RNA of various types was detected by electrophoresis in 23 of 25 isolates of Helicobasidium mompa. These dsRNAs varied in size from ca. 2 kbp to more than 10 kbp. dsRNAs from an isolate V1 had two distinct nucleotide sequences for putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP). Their complete sequences revealed that V1 dsRNA1 was 2247 bp in length, with a single ORF that encoded a 706-amino acid residue polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 82.6 kDa, and that V1 dsRNA3 was 1776 bp in length, with a single ORF that encoded a 538-amino acid residue polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 62.6 kDa. RDRP-conserved motifs were identified in both predicted amino acid sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that V1 dsRNA1 was most closely related to Fusarium poae virus 1, while V1 dsRNA3 was most closely related to Helicobasidium mompa 70 virus. These results indicate coinfection of isolate V1 by two distinct partitiviruses.