Complete genome characterization of a new alphapartitivirus identified in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Lactarius mediterraneensis
Turkish Journal of Botany, vol.50, no.1, pp.103-109, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 50 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.55730/1300-008x.2888
- Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Botany
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Geobase, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.103-109
- Keywords: Mycovirus, Partitivirus, Viral diversity, Lactarius sp
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
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.