Fungal negative-stranded RNA virus that is related to bornaviruses and nyaviruses
Abstract
Mycoviruses are viruses that infect fungi and replicate in fungi. Previously, no mycoviruses had been discovered with negative-stranded (-)ssRNA genomes. Here, we characterize a (-)ssRNA mycovirus that infects a fungal plant pathogen. Although its genome and organization are significantly different from those of current mononegaviruses, this virus is closely related to viruses in families Nyamiviridae and Bornaviridae that infect animals. This discovery may provide insights into the global ecology and evolution of (-)ssRNA viruses. Furthermore, since many (-)ssRNA viruses are serious human pathogens, this system is likely to provide a less hazardous way to study replication of a (-)ssRNA virus and could be useful in establishing a system to screen antiviral compounds against (-)ssRNA viruses.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- August 2014
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2014PNAS..11112205L