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Updated: May 3, 2026
Combining Analysis of DNA in a Crude Virion Extraction with the Analysis of RNA from Infected Leaves to Discover New Virus Genomes
Published on: July 27, 2018
Complete genome sequence of a novel gammapartitivirus from Penicillium oxalicum RCEF7482
Jing Sun1, Ping Wang1, Hanwen Lu1
1Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Pest Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Abstract:
Penicillium oxalicum, an important biocontrol fungus in China, has been a subject of extensive study due to its role in combating various pathogenic fungi. Despite the prevalence of mycoviruses with double-stranded (ds) RNA genomes in filamentous fungi, there has been no screening of mycoviruses in P. oxalicum. In this report, we describe the identification and characterization of a novel dsRNA virus isolated from P. oxalicum, designated as "Penicillium oxalicum partitivirus 1" (PoPV1). The genome of PoPV1 consists of two dsRNA segments, dsRNA1 (1,770 bp) and dsRNA2 (1,584 bp), each containing a single open reading frame (ORF): ORF1 and ORF2. Comparative analysis revealed that the RdRp and CP amino acid sequences of PoPV1 share the highest identity (89.18% and 73.97%, respectively) with those of Penicillium aurantiogriseum partitivirus 1 (PaPV1). Motif analysis based on RdRp amino acid sequences places PoPV1 in the genus Gammapartitivirus within the family Partitiviridae, with a distinctive motif VI (R/KV/ILGDD). Phylogenetic analysis further established a close relationship of PoPV1 to PaPV1, forming a unique clade among the gammapartitiviruses. Consequently, we propose that Penicillium oxalicum partitivirus 1 represents a new species in the genus Gammapartitivirus. This is the first report of a dsRNA virus in P. oxalicum.
Insights
Researchers discovered a new double-stranded RNA virus, Penicillium oxalicum partitivirus 1 (PoPV1), in the biocontrol fungus Penicillium oxalicum. This finding expands our understanding of mycoviruses in filamentous fungi.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Virology
- Fungal Genetics
Background:
- Penicillium oxalicum is a significant biocontrol fungus in China.
- Mycoviruses with double-stranded (ds) RNA genomes are common in filamentous fungi.
- No mycoviruses had been previously identified in P. oxalicum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen for and characterize mycoviruses in Penicillium oxalicum.
- To identify and describe a novel dsRNA virus from P. oxalicum.
- To classify the newly identified virus within existing viral taxonomy.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of a dsRNA virus from P. oxalicum.
- Genome sequencing and analysis of the dsRNA segments (dsRNA1 and dsRNA2).
- Comparative analysis of viral protein sequences (RdRp and CP) and phylogenetic analysis.
Main Results:
- Identification of a novel dsRNA virus, designated Penicillium oxalicum partitivirus 1 (PoPV1).
- PoPV1 genome comprises two dsRNA segments with single open reading frames (ORFs).
- PoPV1 shares highest sequence identity with Penicillium aurantiogriseum partitivirus 1 (PaPV1) and belongs to the genus Gammapartitivirus.
Conclusions:
- PoPV1 is the first reported dsRNA virus in Penicillium oxalicum.
- Phylogenetic and motif analyses support PoPV1's classification within the genus Gammapartitivirus.
- Penicillium oxalicum partitivirus 1 is proposed as a new species within the Gammapartitivirus genus.
