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Heterologous expression of the hypovirus CHV1-EP713 full-length cDNA in Botrytis cinerea: transformation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens and evaluation of changes in the fungal phenotype

Summary

Researchers successfully introduced a virus from chestnut blight fungus into gray mold fungus to reduce its ability to cause disease. The transformed fungus grew slower, produced fewer spores, and caused less damage to plants. This discovery suggests viruses could be used as natural biological control agents to protect crops from fungal diseases.

Background

Botrytis cinerea causes gray mold disease in a wide range of plants including ornamentals, vegetables, and fruits. Cryphonectria parasitica, which infects American chestnut, harbors CHV1-EP713, a hypovirus that reduces fungal virulence. This study explores whether expressing CHV1-EP713 in B. cinerea can alter its fungal phenotype.

Objective

To express the full-length cDNA of CHV1-EP713 hypovirus in B. cinerea through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and assess whether its expression could alter the fungal phenotype and reduce virulence.

Results

Transformants showed ~13-kbp double-stranded RNA consistent with viral replication intermediates. PCR and RT-PCR confirmed viral cDNA integration and expression. Transformed strains exhibited reduced radial growth, decreased sporulation, altered colony morphology, and significantly reduced tissue damage on grapevine leaves with distinct oxidative responses.

Conclusion

Transformation of virulent B. cinerea with CHV1-EP713 cDNA leads to phenotypic changes consistent with hypovirulence. These results demonstrate the potential of hypoviruses as biological control agents against phytopathogenic fungi and open new avenues for engineering hypovirulence traits.
  • Published in:Biological Research (Biol Res),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41057886, DOI: 10.1186/s40659-025-00645-y
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