DETECTION OF DOUBLE-STRANDED-RNA MOLECULES AND VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES IN DIFFERENT MUCOR SPECIES

The presence of double-stranded RNA elements was examined in 123 strai ns representing 18 Mucor species. These genetic elements were found to be present in 6 strains: 1 M aligarensis, 1 M. hiemalis, 2 M. cortico lus, 1 M. mucedo and 1 M. ramannianus. Electrophoretic separation of t he nucleic acids revealed 4 different RNA patterns, with 1 to 5 discre te dsRNA bands. The molecular weights corresponding to these bands wer e 1.42-4.15 x 10(6) D. Using electronmicroscopy, for the first time th e presence of virus like particles in Mucor species has been revealed.