Double-stranded RNA virus associated with Saccharomycotina yeast lineages

• Grant number: 21/09980-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: André Rodrigues
• Grantee: Rodolfo Bizarria Júnior
• Supervisor: Paul Rowley
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Idaho, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/24412-2 - Diversity and functional roles of yeasts in fungus-growing insects, BP.DR

Abstract

Mutualisms as an outcome of host-virus interactions have been observed in some cases, despite the notable harmful outcomes expected for these interactions. Yeasts are often infected by double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses, that enable the secretion of toxins with positive outcomes for host survival and competitiveness. Originally observed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the phenotype named "killer" was also recorded across different Saccharomycotina lineages. The nature of these interactions in Brazilian yeasts is still incipient. We expect to find differences in the evolutionary trajectory and mutation rates in viruses occurring in tropical zones, which are expected for dsRNA viruses or in genomic elements. Insects are known to host yeasts and to favor mating events, which with cytoplasm mixing opens a window on virus transmission in this environment. Therefore, as a putative source for prospecting killer yeasts we are searching for yeasts associated with fungus-growing attine ants and beetles in Brazil. We expect to advance our knowledge of the diversity of dsRNA viruses infecting Saccharomycotina lineages and the evolutionary history of yeast-virus mutualism. Since the yeast-virus interaction is well-known to be a source for prospecting natural antimicrobial and therapeutic agents, our proposal converges with sustainable development goals. Studying yeast-virus interactions, we also expected to advance in the knowledge of viral infections in Eukaryotic organisms. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TAGGART, NATHAN T. E.; CRABTREE, ANGELA M. A.; CREAGH, JACK W. M.; BIZARRIA, RODOLFO M.; LI, SHUNJI; DE LA HIGUERA, IGNACIO A.; BARNES, JONATHAN E.; SHIPLEY, MASON A.; BOYER, JOSEPHINE M.; STEDMAN, KENNETH M.; et al. Novel viruses of the family Partitiviridae discovered in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PLOS PATHOGENS, v. 19, n. 6, p. 22-pg., 2023-06-01. (21/09980-4)