Characterization of a novel dsRNA mycovirus of Trichoderma atroviride NFCF028

Molecular characterization of the most common dsRNA element from Trichoderma atroviride indicated that it comprised 8,566 bp and encoded two large open reading frames (ORF1 and 2). The two ORFs were found to overlap by 46 bp with a typical (−1) slippery heptanucelotide sequence. The deduced protein sequences of ORF1 and ORF2 showed significant similarities to those of known mycoviral structural proteins and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this dsRNA is a member of a distinct species related to a group of unclassified mycoviruses; therefore, it was named Trichoderma atroviride mycovirus 1 (TaMV1).