Greetings from virologists to mycologists: A review outlining viruses that live in fungi

Abstract

Viruses are genetic elements that parasitize self-replicating cells. Therefore, organisms parasitized by viruses are not limited to animals and plants but also include microorganisms. Among these, viruses that parasitize fungi are known as mycoviruses. Mycoviruses with an RNA genome persistently replicate inside fungal cells and coevolve with their host cells, similar to a cellular organelle. Within host cells, mycoviruses can modulate various fungal characteristics and activities, including pathogenicity and the production of enzymes and secondary metabolites. In this review, we provide an overview of the mycovirus research field as introduction to fungal researchers. Recognition of all genetic elements in fungi aids towards better understanding and control of fungi, and makes fungi a significant model system for studying microorganisms containing multiple genetic elements.