Complete genome characterization of a new alphapartitivirus identified in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Lactarius mediterraneensis


Kaliyeva A., ŞAHİN E., Ediş G., AKATA I.

Turkish Journal of Botany, cilt.50, sa.1, ss.103-109, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 50 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.55730/1300-008x.2888
  • Dergi Adı: Turkish Journal of Botany
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Geobase, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.103-109
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Mycovirus, Partitivirus, Viral diversity, Lactarius sp
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Viruses that naturally infect fungi capable of forming mycorrhizal symbioses remain poorly studied. In the present study, a new partitivirus associated with the basidiomycete mycorrhizal fungus Lactarius mediterraneensis was identified and characterized, and it was designated as Lactarius mediterraneensis partitivirus 1 (LmPV1). The complete genome of LmPV1 was determined through high-throughput sequencing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) extracts and confirmed by Sanger sequencing of RLM-RACE PCR amplicons. The genome comprises two dsRNA segments, 1899 bp and 1957 bp, each containing a single open reading frame (ORF) a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and a capsid protein (CP). Comparative analysis using BLASTp revealed the closest matches to be Sarcosphaera coronaria partitivirus ANK VIR-52 (65.22% identity for RdRp) and Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 26 (26.53% identity for CP). Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the RdRp sequence positioned LmPV1 within a cluster exclusively composed of Alphapartitivirus species from the Partitiviridae family. Given these molecular data, LmPV1 is proposed as a novel member of the Alphapartitivirus genus. This work provides the first documented evidence of a partitivirus infecting the mycorrhizal basidiomycete L. mediterraneensis.