Plasmid-like dynamics of persistent RNA viruses in the host fungal population.

ABSTRACT: Unlike the well-known acute or chronic animal and plant RNA viruses, most fungal RNA viruses (RNA mycoviruses) have a persistent life cycle. They lack an extracellular infection route and coexist with their hosts for a lifetime. RNA mycoviruses affect various biological properties of host fungi and are widespread across all major fungal groups. The frequency of fungal isolates harboring RNA mycoviruses ranges from a few percent to several tens of percent, indicating their high persistence within ecosystems. However, the dynamics of RNA mycoviruses and the maintenance mechanisms within host populations remain largely unknown. Here, we developed an experimental laboratory model system to examine the dynamics of mycoviruses within clonal host populations and to clarify the mechanisms. In our

SUBMITTER: Chiba Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12363214 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature