Widespread incidence of double-stranded RNAs of unknown function in rust fungi

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Abstract
Double-stranded (ds) RNAs were found to be present in 33 of 38 collections of rust fungi, representing 15 species from four genera. This finding suggests that dsRNAs occur commonly in rust fungi. Tests were undertaken to determine the role or phenotype associated with the presence of dsRNAs. Comparisons were made between strains of Puccinia sorghi (maize rust) that had different dsRNAs and two fully isogenic strains of Melampsora lini (flax rust), one with no dsRNA and one with at least 13 dsRNAs. It was concluded that dsRNAs had no obvious effect on pathogen virulence or on growth rate as measured by rate of accumulation of leaf chitin or time to pustule eruption. Also it was demonstrated that the presence of dsRNAs had no effect on the interaction that exists between rusts over short distances in the leaf. Key words: dsRNA, rust, function, incidence.