The complete genome sequence of HetPV20-an1, an alphapartitivirus infecting the conifer-pathogenic fungus Heterobasidion annosum

Abstract

Root rot fungi of the genus Heterobasidion are highly destructive conifer pathogens in the northern Boreal forest region. This report describes the complete genome sequence of Heterobasidion partitivirus 20 infecting a Finnish strain of Heterobasidion annosum. The bisegmented dsRNA genome of HetPV20-an1 encodes a predicted RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of 605 amino acids (aa) and a capsid protein of 536 aa. Based on sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis, this virus is a new member of the genus Alphapartitivirus. HetPV20-an1 shares ~65% RdRP aa sequence identity with the most similar virus strain, Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 2, whereas the CP of HetPV20-an1 is most similar to that of rose partitivirus with ~27% overall aa sequence identity. HetPV20-an1 is only distantly related to previously known partitiviruses of Heterobasidion species and shares ~29% RdRP aa sequence identity and ~16% CP aa sequence identity with Heterobasidion partitivirus 1 from H. abietinum.