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Discovery and Community Dynamics of Novel ssRNA Mycoviruses in the Conifer Pathogen Heterobasidion parviporum

Summary

This research discovered new viruses infecting an important tree pathogen that causes root rot in conifer forests. The study revealed that these fungal viruses are more diverse and widespread than previously known. This has implications for forest health and management. Key impacts: – Improves our understanding of natural viral control of tree diseases – Could lead to new biological control methods for forest pathogens – Helps explain how viruses spread and persist in forest ecosystems – May contribute to developing better forest management strategies – Advances knowledge of virus diversity and evolution in nature

Background

Heterobasidion species are highly destructive basidiomycetous conifer pathogens of the Boreal forest region. Earlier studies revealed dsRNA virus infections of families Curvulaviridae and Partitiviridae in Heterobasidion strains, and small RNA deep sequencing identified infections of Mitoviridae members in these fungi.

Objective

To examine the virome of Heterobasidion parviporum for the first time using RNA-Seq with total RNA depleted of rRNA, and to analyze virus population dynamics in clonally spreading H. parviporum individuals.

Results

The study revealed new viruses representing two established (+)ssRNA virus families not found earlier in Heterobasidion: Narnaviridae and Botourmiaviridae. Additionally, the presence of a recently described virus group tentatively named ‘ambiviruses’ was identified in H. parviporum. Results indicated that viral infections are considerably more diverse and common among Heterobasidion isolates than previously known and include ssRNA viruses with high prevalence and interspecies variation.

Conclusion

The RNA-Seq approach successfully revealed previously unknown viral diversity in H. parviporum. The study demonstrated that ssRNA virus infections are stable and common in forest populations of H. parviporum, with evidence of virus transmission between fungal clones. The findings significantly expand our understanding of mycovirus diversity and population dynamics in forest pathogens.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.770787
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