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A novel partitivirus confers dual contradictory effects to its host fungus: growth attenuation and virulence enhancement

Summary

Researchers discovered a new virus that infects a fungus causing disease in tea plants. Interestingly, this virus has opposing effects: it slows down the fungus’s growth but makes it more damaging to tea leaves. This unusual combination of effects provides new insights into how viruses interact with fungal pathogens and could inform new strategies for managing tea plant diseases.

Background

Mycoviruses can either reduce or enhance virulence in their fungal hosts, with potential applications in biological control. However, mycoviruses that enhance pathogenicity in phytopathogenic fungi have been poorly characterized. This study identified a novel partitivirus from Sinodiscula camellicola, a fungus causing tea leaf blight.

Objective

To identify, characterize, and assess the biological effects of a novel mycovirus isolated from S. camellicola, a phytopathogenic fungus infecting tea plants.

Results

ScPV1, a novel partitivirus with two dsRNA components (1,835 bp and 1,697 bp), was identified and belongs to the genus Epsilonpartitivirus. The virus is encapsidated in isometric particles of approximately 31 nm diameter. Transfection studies showed that ScPV1-infected fungal transfectants exhibited reduced growth rates but significantly increased virulence on tea leaves.

Conclusion

ScPV1 represents the first partitivirus identified from phytopathogenic fungi infecting tea plants and demonstrates unique dual contradictory effects: growth attenuation coupled with virulence enhancement. This finding expands understanding of mycovirus-host interactions and has implications for fungal disease management strategies.
  • Published in:Journal of Virology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1128/jvi.01219-25, PMID: 41283655
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