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Unveiling mycoviral diversity in Ophiocordyceps sinensis through transcriptome analyses

Summary

Chinese cordyceps (a valuable fungus used in traditional medicine) contains multiple viruses that researchers discovered through genetic analysis. Scientists found 13 different viruses living together in the cordyceps, with 9 being newly discovered. These viruses may affect how the fungus grows and develops, which could have implications for cultivating cordyceps artificially and understanding its unique biology.

Background

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is an entomopathogenic fungus that forms valuable Chinese cordyceps and is widely used in traditional medicine. Mycoviruses are widespread across fungal species and can influence fungal biology and ecology. Previous research on mycoviruses in O. sinensis has been limited, despite the fungus residing in extreme ecosystems where viral interactions likely occur.

Objective

This study aimed to detect and characterize mycoviral diversity in O. sinensis by isolating double-stranded RNA from six laboratory strains and analyzing publicly available transcriptome data from 13 representative O. sinensis samples. The goal was to enhance knowledge of mycovirus diversity and provide insights into their taxonomy and distribution.

Results

The study identified 13 mycoviruses, with 9 reported for the first time in O. sinensis, distributed across five families (Partitiviridae, Mitoviridae, Narnaviridae, Botourmiaviridae, Deltaflexiviridae) and two unclassified lineages. Frequent coinfections were observed within individual strains, and dynamic shifts in viral composition occurred during fungal development. OsOMV1 was the most prevalent virus, found in 8 SRA samples.

Conclusion

This comprehensive study reveals the complex mycoviral landscape of O. sinensis and suggests that mycoviruses may play significant ecological and evolutionary roles in the fungus. The findings open new research avenues for understanding virus-host dynamics and their potential applications in fungal biology and biotechnology.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Molecular Biology Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39654673, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1493365
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