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A mycovirus enhances fitness of an insect pathogenic fungus and potentially modulates virulence through interactions between viral and host proteins

Summary

Scientists discovered a virus that infects a beneficial fungus used to control insect pests. Instead of harming the fungus, this virus makes it much better at its job by doubling spore production, helping it survive harsh conditions like UV radiation and heat, and making it more deadly to target insects. The improvement comes from specific interactions between viral and fungal proteins that work together to enhance the fungus’s natural pest-killing abilities.

Background

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus widely used in biological pest control, but its effectiveness is limited by low conidiation rates, environmental stress sensitivity, and delayed insecticidal activity. Mycoviruses can have variable effects on fungal hosts, ranging from detrimental to mutualistic interactions.

Objective

To identify and characterize a mycovirus that enhances the fitness and virulence of Beauveria bassiana, an insect pathogenic fungus used in biological pest control. The study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which viral and host proteins interact to produce these beneficial effects.

Results

BbPmV4-2 comprises eight dsRNA segments with three unique segments not previously identified in related mycoviruses. Virus-infected strains exhibited nearly doubled conidial yields, increased tolerance to UV irradiation and heat stress, and reduced median lethal time against G. mellonella larvae. The viral protein P5 directly interacts with host proteins BbGAP1 (GPI-anchored membrane protein) and BbSDU1 (deubiquitinating enzyme) to confer enhanced stress tolerance and potential hypervirulence through increased conidial hydrophobicity, adhesion, and cuticle penetration.

Conclusion

BbPmV4-2 represents a beneficial mycovirus that markedly enhances its host’s fitness and virulence through specific viral-host protein interactions. These findings provide insights into mycovirus-host interactions and suggest strategies for optimizing entomopathogenic fungi as biological pest control agents by leveraging beneficial virus-host relationships.
  • Published in:PLoS Pathogens,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 41129597, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013634
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