Mycoviruses in Aspergilli: a comprehensive review
File(s)
Accepted version
Published version
Author(s)
Kotta-Loizou, I
Coutts, RHA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Fungi, similar to all species, are susceptible to viral infection. Aspergillus is arguably the most well studied fungal genus because of its medical, ecological and economical significance. Mycoviruses were initially detected in Aspergillus species almost 50 years ago and the field continues to be active today with ground-breaking discoveries. The aim of the present review is to cover the scientific progress in all aspects of mycovirology as exemplified by Aspergillus-focused research. Initially an overview of the population studies illustrating the presence of mycoviruses in numerous important Aspergillus species, such as A. niger, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus with be presented. Moreover the intricacies of mycovirus transmission, both inter- and intra-species, will be discussed together with the methodologies used to investigate viral dispersion in a laboratory setting. Subsequently, the genomic features of all molecularly characterized mycoviruses to date will be analyzed in depth. These include members of established viral families, such as Partitiviridae, Chrysoviridae and Totiviridae, but also more recent, novel discoveries that led to the proposal of new viral families, such as Polymycoviridae, Alternaviridae and, in the context of the present review, Exartaviridae. Finally, the major issue of phenotypic effects of mycoviral infection on the host is addressed, including aflatoxin production in A. flavus, together with growth and virulence in A. fumigatus. Although the molecular mechanisms behind these phenomena are yet to be elucidated, recent studies suggest that by implication, RNA silencing may be involved.
Date Issued
2017-09-06
Date Acceptance
2017-08-23
Citation
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2017, 8
ISSN
1664-302X
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Microbiology
Volume
8
Copyright Statement
© 2017 Kotta-Loizou and Coutts. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
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Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Microbiology
mycovirus
Aspergillus
population study
mycovirus classification
mycovirus transmission
hypervirulence
hypovirulence
DOUBLE-STRANDED-RNA
VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES
COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCES
PENICILLIUM-STOLONIFERUM
SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE
DSRNA MYCOVIRUSES
ANTIVIRAL DEFENSE
PROTOPLAST FUSION
BLACK ASPERGILLI
SECTION CLAVATI
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1699