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Molecular Characterization of Two Totiviruses from the Commensal Yeast Geotrichum candidum

Mahmoud E Khalifa1, Robin M MacDiarmid2,3

  • 1Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta 34517, Egypt.

Viruses
|November 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Two new totiviruses, GcTV2-Gc6 and GcTV4-Gc6, were identified in the yeast fungus Geotrichum candidum. Their molecular characteristics and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed, expanding the known mycovirus diversity in this host.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mycoviruses infect fungi, including yeasts, but those in Geotrichum candidum are poorly characterized.
  • Only three G. candidum-associated viral species, all belonging to the Totivirus genus, have been identified previously.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize two novel totiviruses co-infecting an isolate of Geotrichum candidum.
  • To determine the molecular features and phylogenetic placement of these newly identified mycoviruses.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular characterization of two co-infecting totiviruses from G. candidum isolate Gc6.
  • Genome sequencing and analysis of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and capsid protein (CP) encoding genes.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine viral relationships.

Main Results:

  • Two totiviruses, Geotrichum candidum totivirus 2 isolate Gc6 (GcTV2-Gc6) and Geotrichum candidum totivirus 4 isolate Gc6 (GcTV4-Gc6), were identified.
  • Genome sizes are 4592 bp for GcTV2-Gc6 and 4530 bp for GcTV4-Gc6, with typical totivirus genome organization.
  • GcTV2-Gc6 is related to totiviruses from the same host, while GcTV4-Gc6 is related to insect-associated totiviruses, belonging to distinct phylogenetic clades.

Conclusions:

  • The study expands the known diversity of mycoviruses in G. candidum, with both new viruses belonging to the Totivirus genus.
  • The findings suggest that the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism may not effectively suppress totivirus accumulation in this specific fungal isolate.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the mycovirus population in G. candidum.
Keywords:
GeotrichumRNA interferenceTotivirusdsRNAhigh-throughput sequencingmycovirusessiRNAusRNA

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