Molecular Methods for Studying the Cryphonectria parasitica Hypovirus Experimental System

The interaction of the filamentous fungal plant pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica with its virulence-attenuating viruses provides a unique platform to explore the molecular biology and genetics of virus–host interactions. Following the development of transformation procedures for this fungus, subsequent advances include infectious cDNA clones of several members of the Hypoviridae and an imminently complete fungal genome project. Presented here are basic protocols for growth of the organism and the extraction of DNA, RNA, and protein. Additionally, two further protocols are provided for investigations of host protein phosphorylation and for viral genome secondary structure.