Transmission of double stranded RNA viruses to a strain of Penicillium stoloniferum through heterokaryosis.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH double stranded RNA virus-like particles stimulating interferon production in animals have been discovered in several species of moulds1–3, infectivity which is a criterion normally required for a virus has not yet been demonstrated. A reason for this may have been the absence of morphological characteristics in moulds related to the presence of virus. In the work reported here, heterokaryosis was chosen as the method most likely to transmit the particles and to permit the recovery of newly infected colonies.