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Molecular characterization of four novel mycoviruses in entomopathogenic and nematophagous fungi

Summary

Scientists discovered four new types of viruses that infect specific fungi used for pest control. These fungi naturally kill insects and parasitic worms, making them valuable alternatives to chemical pesticides. Understanding the viruses in these beneficial fungi could help improve their effectiveness as biological control agents and reveal new ecological relationships.

Background

Mycoviruses are ubiquitous throughout the fungal kingdom and have been extensively studied in phytopathogenic fungi. However, mycoviruses in entomopathogenic and nematophagous fungi have received significantly less attention despite their ecological importance in biological control applications.

Objective

To identify and characterize novel mycoviruses from entomopathogenic and nematophagous fungi using transcriptome analysis and determine their phylogenetic relationships and genomic characteristics.

Results

Four novel mycoviruses were characterized: Hirsutella satumaensis botourmiavirus 1 (HsBV1), Ophiocordyceps sinensis mitovirus 4 (OsMV4), Orbilia oligospora negative-strand RNA virus 1 (OoNSV1), and Orbilia oligospora narnavirus 1 (OoNV1). Each contained nearly complete genomes with single ORFs encoding RdRps with conserved GDD motifs and stable secondary structures in their 3′ and 5′ UTRs. Phylogenetic analysis classified these viruses into families Aspiviridae, Botourmiaviridae, Mitoviridae, and Narnaviridae.

Conclusion

This study expands understanding of mycoviral diversity in nematophagous and entomopathogenic fungi, revealing unique viruses not previously identified in phytopathogenic fungi. Further research is needed to explore whether these mycoviruses influence fungal interactions with insects or nematodes, potentially uncovering novel ecological and functional roles.
  • Published in:Virology Journal,
  • Study Type:Molecular characterization study,
  • Source: PMID: 41023721, DOI: 10.1186/s12985-025-02947-9
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