A double-stranded RNA mycovirus from the maize rust Puccinia sorghi

Abstract
Evidence is presented for the occurrence of a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus in germinated uredospores of the maize rust fungus Puccinia sorghi Schw. Isometric particles of about 40 nm diameter copurified with six or seven dsRNAs ranging in size from about 6500 to approximately 500 base pairs. Several polypeptide subunits with a molecular mass of around 89 000 copurified with the mycovirus. Similar particles or dsRNA were not observed in the related maize rust Puccinia polysora.