The detection of single‐stranded RNA in an isometric virus‐like particle from Shiitake mushroom [Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing.]

Abstract

Isometric virus-like particles (VLPs) with diameter of approximately 34 nm containing ss-RNA were purified from abnormal mycelium of Shiitake mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the virions contain a single capsid polypeptide with molecular weight of about 22 000 daltons. The nucleic acid extract from purified VLPs preparations showed only one band with a size of approximately 7.3 kilobases. The susceptibility to RNase 1 and S1 digestions, resistance to DNase and thermal denaturation behaviour of the viral genome indicated that it is a single-stranded RNA. To our knowledge, isometric single-stranded RNA VLPs isolated from Shiitake mushroom mycelia have not been reported before.

Viruses infecting macrofungi

“…However, the presence or absence of particular dsRNA element could not be correlated with any certain phenotypic characterictic and there were also no evidence of harmful effects associated with the presence of dsRNA elements in the studied L. edodes strains [71]. The only ssRNA virus known to infect L. edodes was reported by Xueren et al [103]. These 34 nm isometric virus particles having a capsid composed of single 22 kDa capsid protein were isolated from the diseased mycelia and shown to contain a ssRNA genome with a length of approximately 7.3 kb [103].…”

“…The only ssRNA virus known to infect L. edodes was reported by Xueren et al [103]. These 34 nm isometric virus particles having a capsid composed of single 22 kDa capsid protein were isolated from the diseased mycelia and shown to contain a ssRNA genome with a length of approximately 7.3 kb [103]. Due to the absence of sequencing technologies at the time, these early studies of L. edodes viruses did not include any sequence data and thus far the genomes of these discovered viruses and the isolated dsRNA elements have not been sequenced.…”