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Mycoviruses related to chrysovirus affect vegetative growth in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

Syunichi Urayama1, Sachie Kato, Yu Suzuki

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

The Journal of General Virology
|August 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A novel mycovirus in the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, causes abnormal growth and pigmentation. Removing this virus restored normal fungal traits, indicating its significant impact on host characteristics.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Virology
  • Plant Pathology

Background:

  • Mycoviruses are known to influence host phenotypes.
  • The rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, is a significant agricultural pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel mycoviruses in M. oryzae.
  • To investigate the impact of a specific mycovirus on host traits.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and purification of fungal strains.
  • Detection and characterization of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycoviruses.
  • Analysis of viral gene products and particle properties.
  • Assessing the effect of mycovirus-infected culture supernatant on uninfected strains.

Main Results:

  • Four dsRNAs were identified in M. oryzae isolate S-0412-II 1a, associated with impaired growth and pigmentation.
  • Cured strains lacking the mycovirus exhibited normal growth and pigmentation.
  • The virus, named Magnaporthe oryzae chrysovirus 1 (MoCV1), contains a gene homologous to RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
  • MoCV1 was found in both host cells and culture supernatant, inducing mycelial aggregation in uninfected M. oryzae.

Conclusions:

  • MoCV1 significantly modulates host traits in M. oryzae, including growth and pigmentation.
  • The extracellular presence of MoCV1 suggests potential for inter-strain or inter-host transmission.
  • This discovery expands the known diversity of chrysoviruses and their impact on pathogenic fungi.

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