Virus-like particles in Basidiobolus species.

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Virology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Fungal cells can harbor various intracellular inclusions.
• Virus-like particles (VLPs) have been documented in numerous fungal species.
• The Entomophthoraceae family's ultrastructure is not extensively characterized regarding VLPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and morphology of intracellular particles in Basidiobolus haptosporus and B. ranarum.
• To determine if these particles are consistent with virus-like particles.
• To document the first association of VLPs with fungi in the Entomophthoraceae family.

Main Methods:

• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed.
• Ultrathin sections of hyphal cells from B. haptosporus and B. ranarum were analyzed.
• Morphological characteristics and intracellular distribution of observed particles were documented.

Main Results:

• Particulate inclusions consistent with virus-like particles were observed in the cytoplasm of both fungal species.
• Two distinct types of particles, differing in substructure and distribution, were identified.
• The relative abundance of these particles was low, and no cytopathological alterations were detected at the ultrastructural level.

Conclusions:

• This study reports the first observation of virus-like particles in fungi belonging to the Entomophthoraceae family.
• The identified VLPs in Basidiobolus species exhibit distinct morphological features.
• The absence of ultrastructural cytopathology suggests a potentially non-pathogenic or commensal relationship.