Virus-like particles from Discula destructiva

Isometric virus-like particles estimated to be 30-40 nm in diameter were isolated from the fungus Discula destructiva, the cause of dogwood anthracnose. The virus was primarily present in cytoplasm. The A(260)/A(280) UV absorbance ratio of partially purified viral preparations ranged from 1.27-1.38. Two polypeptides with M(r) of approximately 52.5 K and 46.5 K and small dsRNA of approximately 1.8-2.3 kbp were associated with the virus. Low levels of large dsRNA were found in 2/3 isolates. No medium dsRNA was detected in any preparation, but dsRNAs hybridized to a probe made from gel-purified medium-sized segments from the isolate which did not contain large dsRNA.