Complete genome characterization of a novel mitovirus from Morchella sp.
Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, vol.27, no.1, pp.115-120, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 27 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.23902/trkjnat.2025122
- Journal Name: Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, BIOSIS, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.115-120
- Keywords: mitovirus, Morchella, Mycovirus, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Triamitovirus
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Investigating viral diversity in non-cultivated fungi is essential for achieving a comprehensive understanding of mycoviral evolution and ecology, as current knowledge is largely derived from studies on phytopathogenic and commercially important species. Aims: This study aimed to identify and characterize mycoviruses associated with wild-collected fungi and to expand existing knowledge on mitovirus diversity in underexplored fungal hosts. Methods: A specimen assigned to Morchella sp. was screened for mycoviruses using molecular detection and genome sequencing. The complete viral genome was sequenced and annotated; bioinformatic techniques were employed to determine organization, nucleotide composition, and coding regions. Sequences were compared using BLASTp, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred based on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequences. Results: A novel mitovirus, designated Morchella mitovirus 1 (MMV1), was identified. MMV1 possesses a linear RNA genome consisting of 3,167 nucleotides with a G + C content of 41.00% and contains a single open reading frame encoding an RdRp. BLASTp revealed that the MMV1 RdRp shares the highest amino acid sequence identity (40.29%) with Tuber mitovirus 3, a member of the Triamitovirus genus of the Mitoviridae family. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of MMV1 within Triamitovirus. Conclusion: This study reports the first mitovirus identified from Morchella and expands the known genetic diversity and evolutionary landscape of mitoviruses, emphasizing the importance of investigating mycoviruses in non-cultivated fungal hosts.