Characterization of a novel mitovirus isolated from the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Virology
• Plant Pathology

Background:

• Mycoviruses are prevalent in plant-pathogenic fungi.
• Fusarium pseudograminearum, a cause of wheat crown rot, has had limited prior mycovirus association.
• Understanding mycovirus diversity is crucial for fungal biology and disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize novel mycoviruses in Fusarium pseudograminearum.
• To determine the genetic makeup and phylogenetic placement of a newly discovered mycovirus.
• To report the first instance of a mitovirus infecting F. pseudograminearum.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and sequencing of a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) segment from F. pseudograminearum.
• Bioinformatic analysis, including open reading frame (ORF) prediction and sequence homology searches (BLASTp).
• Phylogenetic analysis to determine viral classification.

Main Results:

• A novel dsRNA segment was isolated and sequenced, revealing a full-length cDNA of 3077 nucleotides.
• Sequence analysis identified a large ORF encoding a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp).
• The mycovirus, named Fusarium pseudograminearum mitovirus 1 (FpgMV1), shows significant sequence similarity to mitoviruses and is proposed as a new species within the Duamitovirus genus.

Conclusions:

• FpgMV1 represents the first reported mitovirus infecting Fusarium pseudograminearum.
• The findings contribute to the understanding of mycovirus diversity and evolution within the family Mitoviridae.
• This discovery opens avenues for further research into the biological roles and impacts of FpgMV1 in its host fungus.