BibTex format
@article{Shi:2025:10.1371/journal.ppat.1013634,
author = {Shi, N and Yang, G and Wang, P and Wang, Y and He, L and Xie, R and Yang, Y and Yu, D and Coutts, RHA and Kotta-Loizou, I and Huang, B},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1013634},
journal = {PLoS Pathogens},
title = {A mycovirus enhances fitness of an insect pathogenic fungus and potentially modulates virulence through interactions between viral and host proteins},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013634},
volume = {21},
year = {2025}
}
RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)
TY - JOUR
AB - Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic ascomycete widely utilized in biological pest control. However, its effectiveness is often limited by low conidiation rates, sensitivity to environmental stresses, and delayed insecticidal activity. In this study, we identify and characterize a mycovirus, Beauveria bassiana polymycovirus 4–2 (BbPmV4-2), which markedly enhances the fitness and may modulate virulence of its fungal host. BbPmV4-2 comprises eight double-stranded RNA segments, among which three are unique and have not detected in related mycoviruses. Infection with BbPmV4-2 nearly doubles conidial yields and upregulates key conidiation-related genes, facilitating enhanced dispersal of both the host fungus and the mycovirus itself. Additionally, BbPmV4-2 infected strains exhibit increased tolerance to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and elevated temperatures, and may also exhibit increased virulence against the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella. The potentially increased virulence is attributed to increased conidial hydrophobicity, adhesion, and cuticle penetration capabilities. Functional analysis reveals that the viral open reading frame ORF5 plays a critical role in conferring hypervirulence and stress tolerance by interacting with host proteins BbGAP1, a GPI-anchored membrane protein, and BbSDU1, a deubiquitinating enzyme. These interactions elucidate a molecular mechanism by which a mycovirus that potentially influences host pathogenicity and enhances environmental adaptability. Our findings provide significant insights into mycovirus-host interactions and suggest potential strategies for optimizing biological pest control applications.
AU - Shi,N
AU - Yang,G
AU - Wang,P
AU - Wang,Y
AU - He,L
AU - Xie,R
AU - Yang,Y
AU - Yu,D
AU - Coutts,RHA
AU - Kotta-Loizou,I
AU - Huang,B
DO - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013634
PY - 2025///
SN - 1553-7366
TI - A mycovirus enhances fitness of an insect pathogenic fungus and potentially modulates virulence through interactions between viral and host proteins
T2 - PLoS Pathogens
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013634
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013634
VL - 21
ER -