The potential of mycoviruses affecting fungi

-focusing on secondary metabolism-

Abstract

  RNA viruses are frequently found in fungi. A notable feature of these fungal RNA viruses (hereafter referred to as mycoviruses) is that they do not kill the host fungi, but rather coexist with them. Therefore, it has become clear that such mycoviruses can affect not only macro phenotypes such as mycelial growth, spore formation, aerial mycelium formation, and pigmentation of the host fungus, but also other traits such as enzyme production, secondary metabolite production, various stress tolerance, and gene expression. In this mini review, we will focus on the effects of mycoviruses on the production of mycotoxins and other fungal secondary metabolites.