Sclerotinia sclerotiorum growth and aggressiveness are regulated by a mycoviral REP protein.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms through which mycoviruses reduce fungal growth and aggressiveness remain unclear, particularly regarding the viral factors involved and their modes of action. In this work, we investigated the hypovirulence mechanism by which Sclerotinia sclerotiorum hypovirulence-associated DNA virus 1 (SsHADV1), of the species Gemycircularvirus sclero1, impaired the necrotrophic plant fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum growth. We first identified the replication-associated protein (REP) of SsHADV1 as the key factor of hypovirulence. Using different patho-systems, we demonstrated that the viral SsHADV1 REP outside the context of viral infection directly restricts fungal growth and disease development. This slow growth was associated with a reduction in fungal oxalic acid production, which is a

SUBMITTER: Shu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12774355 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature