Molecular characterization of a novel totivirus infecting the basal fungus Conidiobolus heterosporus.

Mycoviruses are widely distributed in fungi, but only a few mycoviruses have been reported in basal fungi to date. Here, we characterized a novel totivirus isolated from the basal fungus Conidiobolus heterosporus, and we designated this virus as "Conidiobolus heterosporus totivirus 1" (ChTV1). The complete genome of ChTV1 contains two discontinuous open reading frames (ORFs), ORF1 and ORF2, encoding a putative coat protein (CP) and a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on RdRP sequences showed that ChTV1 clustered with members of the genus Totivirus. The RdRP of ChTV1 has 51% sequence identity to that of Trichoderma koningiopsis totivirus 1 (TkTV1), which is the highest among mycoviruses. However, TkTV1 formed a distinct cluster with Wuhan insect virus 27, with 63% RdRP sequence identity, although Wuhan insect virus 27 has not been described, and its host represents a different kingdom. Therefore, we propose that ChTV1 is a new member of the genus Totivirus, family Totiviridae.

A novel non-segmented double-stranded RNA virus isolated from the basal fungus Conidiobolus sp.

Mycoviruses are widely distributed in a variety of fungal species. However, few viruses have been reported in basal fungi. A novel non-segmented dsRNA virus was isolated from the basal fungus Conidiobolus sp. of the phylum Zoopagomycota, which has been named "Conidiobolus non-segmented RNA virus 1" (CNRV1). The complete genome sequence of CNRV1 was determined by dsRNA extraction, next-generation sequencing, and RACE. The genome of CNRV1 dsRNA is 3,092 bp in length and contains two open reading frames (ORFs) predicted to encode a subgenomic protein 1 (sgP1) and a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis based on RdRp sequences from selected dsRNA viruses showed that CNRV1 shared 31.9% sequence identity with Nigrospora oryzae unassigned RNA virus 1 (NoNRV1) and clustered with NoNRV1 and four other mycoviruses. These viruses are unassigned and distant from members of the family Partitiviridae, although they were previously considered partitivirus-like viruses. Thus, CNRV1 is a novel member of proposed genus "Unirnavirus", and is the first dsRNA sequence reported from a member of the phylum Zoopagomycota. This study extends our knowledge about mycoviruses in basal fungi.