Viral dsRNA in the wine yeast Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum

The presence of viral dsRNA (L and M fractions) in the cryophilic yeast Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum is documented here for the first time. Sixty-eight strains of different origins were analyzed. Most of them did not carry dsRNA; the L fraction was found in seven strains, while 11 strains had both L and M fractions. The size of the L fraction was invariable (4.5 kb), as in the cultured yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast to L-dsRNA, the M fraction varied in size from ca. 1.2 to 1.8 kb. In total, seven different M-dsRNA types were recognized (M1–M3 and M8–M11), predominantly among French wine strains of S. bayanus var. uvarum. Phenotypic analysis revealed that the M-dsRNAs found were cryptic and may represent mutant forms of killer plasmids.