Showing papers on "Mycovirus published in 1978"

Mycoviruses: Viruses that Infect Fungi

Abstract: Publisher Summary Viruses have now been reported from over 100 species of fungi, including genera from all the main taxonomic groups of fungi. A number of these viruses have now been characterized in vitro, and their replication in vivo has been demonstrated; in many instances, however, the evidence consists largely of electron micrographs of virus-like particles in thin sections or in extracts from the fungi. Until some in vitro characterization has provided further evidence that these are indeed viruses, many workers have felt it prudent to refer to them as virus-like particules (VLP). Bozarth estimated that 10%-15% of randomly sampled fungal isolates contained virus-like particles in electron microscope examination. Of the 70 isolates selected for morphological abnormality or because of suspected virus infection, it was inferred that about 20% contained ds-RNA, regarded as the characteristic of fungal viruses (myco-viruses). At a conservative estimate, virus infection might therefore be expected in some 5000 fungal species. The same virus may occur in a number of different fungi, but a number of fungi are already known that can be infected with two or more different viruses. This chapter tries to review some of the physiological, ecological, and taxonomic aspects of viruses that infect fungi and to comment upon their biological significance. In particular, it tries to relate and compare the characteristics so far known for some of these viruses with those viruses from other host taxa.