Mycoviruses in the Rust Fungus Uromyces fabae

Abstract

Uromyces fabae, the causal agent of broad bean rust, is a major cause of yield losses in North and East Africa, China, and Australia. It has also served as an important model species for research on rust fungi. Early EST sequencing in U. fabae showed that viruses might be present in this species; however, no follow-up investigations were conducted. In order to identify these viruses, we performed purification of dsRNA followed by Illumina sequencing. We also used ultracentrifugation followed by negative staining electron microscopy to visualize virus particles. We identified 20 viral sequences, which we termed Ufvss. A phylogenetic analysis was performed that grouped Ufvss into totiviruses, polymycoviruses, and virgaviruse; three sequences could not be included in the phylogeny. We also found isometric particles. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of mycoviral diversity in rust fungi and point to the importance of further investigation of these viruses.