Isolation and characterization of the dsRNA virus from the yeast Endomyces magnusii

Abstract Virus-like particles (VLPs) have been isolated from the yeast Endomyces magnusii . The VLPs measure 43 nm in diameter and contain six species of dsRNA (0.78, 0.83, 1.77, 1.84, 2.64, 4.30 kb respectively). E. magnusii produces a 'toxic' protein, which reduces the growth, and changes the colony morphology, of sensitive strains of Hansenula sp. growing on solid media. All strains of E. magnusii tested produced the 'toxin' and contained the VLPs. Current procedures of curing failed to destroy the ability to produce the 'toxin'.