Molecular characterization of a novel ssRNA ourmia-like virus from the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

Arch Virol. 2017 Mar;162(3):891-895. doi: 10.1007/s00705-016-3144-9. Epub 2016 Nov 17.

Abstract

In this study we characterize a novel positive and single stranded RNA (ssRNA) mycovirus isolated from the rice field isolate of Magnaporthe oryzae Guy11. The ssRNA contains a single open reading frame (ORF) of 2,373 nucleotides in length and encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) closely related to ourmiaviruses (plant viruses) and ourmia-like mycoviruses. Accordingly, we name this virus Magnaporthe oryzae ourmia-like virus 1 (MOLV1). Although phylogenetic analysis suggests that MOLV1 is closely related to ourmia and ourmia-like viruses, it has some features never reported before within the Ourmiavirus genus. 3' RLM-RACE (RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends) and extension poly(A) tests (ePAT) suggest that the MOLV1 genome contains a poly(A) tail whereas the three cytosine and the three guanine residues present in 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of ourmia viruses are not observed in the MOLV1 sequence. The discovery of this novel viral genome supports the hypothesis that plant pathogenic fungi may have acquired this type of viruses from their host plants.

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Fungal Viruses / chemistry
  • Fungal Viruses / classification
  • Fungal Viruses / genetics
  • Fungal Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • Genome, Viral
  • Magnaporthe / virology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Oryza / microbiology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology*
  • RNA Viruses / chemistry
  • RNA Viruses / classification
  • RNA Viruses / genetics
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins