Background:The immune system of insects exerts fundamentally different antiviral mechanisms than mammals.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)play vital roles in developing insect antiviral immunity.MiRNAs expression profiles of insects ...Background:The immune system of insects exerts fundamentally different antiviral mechanisms than mammals.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)play vital roles in developing insect antiviral immunity.MiRNAs expression profiles of insects changed significantly during baculovirus infection.Methods:Differential expression profiles of miRNAs in Spodoptera frugiperda were monitored by next-generation sequencing(NGS)and RT-qPCR during Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus(AcMNPV)infection.The transcription levels of genes were detected by RT-qPCR.The 50%tissue culture infective dose(TCID_(50))endpoint dilution assay was used to determine the proliferation of progeny virus.Results:NGS revealed that 49 miRNAs were differentially expressed in Sf9 cells,and 10 of them were significantly up-or down-regulated.Though RT-qPCR analysis,we observed the similar trends for the expression patterns of significantly differentially expressed miRNAs from NGS.Moreover,the transcription levels of core genes,Exportin5,Dicer1,and Argonaute1,in miRNA biogenesis pathways were significantly increased after AcMNPV infection.For five selected miRNAs,miR-34-5p could regulate the proliferation of baculovirus progeny virus and energy metabolism.Conclusion:The miRNAs biogenesis pathway in Sf9 cells plays an important role and may be stimulated to resist AcMNPV infection.This work provides evidence for the molecular mechanism of baculovirus-insect interaction and offers novel ideas and directions for green pest control technology.展开更多
The Autographa californica multiple capsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) was the first baculovirus for which the complete nucleotide sequence became known. Since then 15 years lapsed and much research has been perform...The Autographa californica multiple capsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) was the first baculovirus for which the complete nucleotide sequence became known. Since then 15 years lapsed and much research has been performed to elucidate putative functions of the annotated open reading frames of this virus and this endeavour is still ongoing. AcMNPV is the most well-known and well-studied baculovirus species, not in the least for its application as a vector for the high-level expression of foreign genes in insect cells. This article is the first monograph of a single baculovirus and gives a current overview of what is known about the 151 AcMNPV ORFs, including (putative) function and temporal and spatial presence of transcripts and protein. To date 60 ORFs have a proven function, another 19 ORFs have homologs for which functions are known in other baculoviruses and 72 ORFs are still enigmatic. This paper should assist the reader in quickly finding the essentials of AcMNPV.展开更多
The laboratory bioassay and field control efficacy of Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus（Spli NPV） Chenzhou strain were preliminarily examined. The efficient artificial propagation method was to feed the host la...The laboratory bioassay and field control efficacy of Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus（Spli NPV） Chenzhou strain were preliminarily examined. The efficient artificial propagation method was to feed the host larvae with virus suspension,and the average mortality of the insects was 65.0%. The death peak of the pests appeared 4-8 d after virus infection. The high temperature, high humidity and poor light could help the virus infection and propagation. Filed control efficacy of Chenzhou strain was 86.6% in laboratory, which was better than of another commercial strain. The corrected control efficacy of this strain was 88.4% the field, which was higher than that of avermectin pesticide significantly. It was detected that the occlusion body（OB） concentration of the initial virus＇ s stock solution was 1.03×1011OBs/ml,and it was a strong SpliNPV strain, as it showed an excellent efficacy to control the pest Spodoptera litura, and thus there will be a good prospect of application and development of this SpliNPV strain.展开更多
Protamines are a group of highly basic proteins first discovered in spermatozoon that allow for denser packaging of DNA than histones and will result in down-regulation of gene transcription^l~. It is well recognized ...Protamines are a group of highly basic proteins first discovered in spermatozoon that allow for denser packaging of DNA than histones and will result in down-regulation of gene transcription^l~. It is well recognized that the Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus （AcMNPV） encodes P6.9, a protamine-like protein that forms the viral subnucleosome through binding to the viral genome[29]. Previous research demonstrates that P6.9 is essential for viral nucleocapsid assembly, while it has no influence on viral genome replication1311. In the present study, the role of P6.9 in viral gene transcription regulation is characterized. In contrast to protamines or other protamine-like proteins that usually down-regulate gene transcription, P6.9 appears to up-regulate viral gene transcription at 12-24 hours post infection （hpi）, whereas it is non-essential for the basal level of viral gene transcription. Fluorescence microscopy reveals the P6.9＇s co-localization with DNA is temporally and spatially synchronized with P6.9＇s impact on viral gene transcription, indicating the P6.9-DNA association contributes to transcription regulation. Chromatin fractionation assay further reveals an unexpected co-existence of P6.9 and host RNA polymerase II in the same transcriptionally active chromatin fraction at 24 hpi, which may probably contribute to viral gene transcription up-regulation in the late infection phase.展开更多
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a key regulator of developmental processes. A FGF homolog (vFGF) is found in all lepidopteran baculoviruses. Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and Bombyx mori NPV (...Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a key regulator of developmental processes. A FGF homolog (vFGF) is found in all lepidopteran baculoviruses. Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and Bombyx mori NPV (BmNPV) vFGFs are chemotactic factors. Here we analyzed the vfgf of Helicoverpa armigera NPV (HearNPV), a group II NPV. The HearNPV vfgf transcripts were detected from 18 to 96 h post-infection (hpi) of Hz-AM1 cells with HearNPV and encoded a 36 kDa protein, which was secreted into the culture medium. HearNPV vFGF had strong affinity to heparin, a property important for FGF signaling via an FGF receptor. Unlike its AcMNPV homolog, HearNPV vFGF specially chemoattracted Hz-AM1, but not other insect cells such as Sf9 and Se-UCR and not the mammalian cells 293 and HepG2. HearNPV vFGF is also associated with the envelope of BV but is absent in occlusion-derived virus, which coordinated to the chemotatic activity analysis.展开更多
Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) has become an integral part of integrated pest management (IPM) in many Australian agricultural and horticultural crops. This is the culmination of years of work conducted by researchers at ...Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) has become an integral part of integrated pest management (IPM) in many Australian agricultural and horticultural crops. This is the culmination of years of work conducted by researchers at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QDPI&F) and Ag Biotech Australia Pty Ltd. In the early 1970’s researchers at QDPI&F identified and isolated a virus in Helicoverpa armigera populations in the field. This NPV was extensively studied and shown to be highly specific to Helicoverpa and Heliothis species. Further work showed that when used appropriately the virus could be used effectively to manage these insects in crops such as sorghum, cotton, chickpea and sweet corn. A similar virus was first commercially produced in the USA in the 1970’s. This product, Elcar?, was introduced into Australia in the late 1970’s by Shell Chemicals with limited success. A major factor contributing to the poor adoption of Elcar was the concurrent enormous success of the synthetic pyrethroids. The importance of integrated pest management was probably also not widely accepted at that time. Gradual development of insect resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and other synthetic insecticides in Australia and the increased awareness of the importance of IPM meant that researchers once again turned their attentions to environmentally friendly pest management tools such NPV and beneficial insects. In the 1990’s a company called Rhone-Poulenc registered an NPV for use in Australian sorghum, chickpea and cotton. This product, Gemstar?, was imported from the USA. In 2000 Ag Biotech Australia established an in-vivo production facility in Australia to produce commercial volumes of a product similar to the imported product. This product was branded, ViVUS?, and was first registered and sold commercially in Australia in 2003. The initial production of ViVUS used a virus identical to the American product but replicating it in an Australian Helicoverpa species, H. armigera. Subsequent research collaboration between QDPI&F and Ag Biotech reinvigorated interest in the local virus strain. This was purified and the production system adapted to produce it on a commercial scale. This new version of ViVUS, which was branded ViVUS Gold?, was first registered and sold commercially in 2004. Widespread insect resistance to insecticides and a greater understanding of integrated pest management is leading to increased adoption of technologies such NPV in Australian agriculture.展开更多
Beginning in the early 1990s, the balsam fir sawfly (Neodiprion abietis) became a significant defoliating insect of precommercially thinned balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands in western Newfoundland, Canada...Beginning in the early 1990s, the balsam fir sawfly (Neodiprion abietis) became a significant defoliating insect of precommercially thinned balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands in western Newfoundland, Canada. In 1997, a nucleopolyhedrovirus (NeabNPV) was isolated from the balsam fir sawfly and, as no control measures were then available, NeabNPV was developed for the biological control of balsam fir sawfly. In order to register NeabNPV for operational use under the Canadian Pest Control Products Act, research was carried out in a number of areas including NeabNPV field efficacy, non-target organism toxicology, balsam fir sawfly ecology and impact on balsam fir trees, and NeabNPV genome sequencing and analysis. As part of the field efficacy trials, approximately 22 500 hectares of balsam fir sawfly-infested forest were aerially treated with NeabNPV between 2000 and 2005. NeabNPV was found to be safe, efficacious, and economical for the suppression of balsam fir sawfly outbreak populations. Conditional registration for the NeabNPV-based product, Abietiv?, was received from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (Health Canada) in April 2006. In July 2006, Abietiv was applied by spray airplanes to 15 000 ha of balsam fir sawfly-infested forest in western Newfoundland in an operational control program.展开更多
An isolate of the Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus comprises a stable proportion of deletion genotypes （e.g., SfNIC-C）, that lack pifl and pif2 rendering them noninfectious per os, and that surviv...An isolate of the Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus comprises a stable proportion of deletion genotypes （e.g., SfNIC-C）, that lack pifl and pif2 rendering them noninfectious per os, and that survive by complementation with a complete genotype （SfNIC-B） in coinfected cells. To determine whether selection for particular ratios of complete and deletion genotypes occurs mainly during the establishment of the primary infection in insect midgut cells or during subsequent systemic infection, we examined genotype frequencies in insects that fed on OBs comprising different co-occluded mixtures of genotypes. Dramatic changes in genotype frequencies were observed between the OB inoculum and budded virus （BV） samples taken from larvae inoculated with OBs comprising 10% SfNIC-B ＋ 90% SfNIC-C indicating that a marked reduction of SfNIC-C genotype had occurred in the insect midgut due to the immediate elimination of all OBs that originated from cells that had been infected only by SfNIC-C. In contrast, immediate changes were not observed in OBs comprising mixtures of 50% SfNIC-B ＋ 50% SfNIC-C or those comprising 10% SfNIC-B ＋ 90% SfNIC-C as most of the OBs in these mixtures originated from cells that had been infected by both genotypes. Subsequent changes in genotypic frequencies during five days of systemic infection were fairly small in magnitude for all genotypic mixtures. We conclude that the prevalence of defective genotypes in the SfNIC population is likely determined by a balance between host selection against OBs produced in cells infected by SfNIC-C alone and within-host selection for fast-replicating deletion genotypes. The strength of intra-host selection is likely modulated by changes in MOI during the infection period.展开更多
Protein phosphorylation is one of the most common post-translational modification processes that play an essential role in regulating protein functionality.The Helicoverpa armigera single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV...Protein phosphorylation is one of the most common post-translational modification processes that play an essential role in regulating protein functionality.The Helicoverpa armigera single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) orf2-encoded nucleocapsid protein HA2 participates in orchestration of virus-induced actin polymerization through its WCA domain,in which phosphorylation status are supposed to be critical in respect to actin polymerization.In the present study,two putative phosphorylation sites (232Thr and 250Ser) and a highly conserved Serine (245Ser) on the WCA domain of HA2 were mutated,and their phenotypes were characterized by reintroducing the mutated HA2 into the HearNPV genome.Viral infectivity assays demonstrated that only the recombinant HearNPV bearing HA2 mutation at 245Ser can produce infectious virions,both 232Thr and 250Ser mutations were lethal to the virus.However,actin polymerization assay demonstrated that all the three viruses bearing HA2 mutations were still capable of initiating actin polymerization in the host nucleus,which indicated the putative phosphorylation sites on HA2 may contribute to HearNPV replication through another unidentified pathway.展开更多
The Douglas-fir tussock moth Orgyia pseudotsugata (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) is a frequent defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western USA and Canada. A single nucleopolyhedrovirus (SNPV) isolated from O. pseu...The Douglas-fir tussock moth Orgyia pseudotsugata (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) is a frequent defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western USA and Canada. A single nucleopolyhedrovirus (SNPV) isolated from O. pseudotsugata larvae in Canada (OpSNPV) was previously analyzed via its polyhedrin gene, but is phylogenetic status was ambiguous. Sequences of four conserved baculovirus genes, polyhedrin, lef-8, pif-2 and dpol, were amplified from OpSNPV DNA in polymerase chain reactions using degenerate primer sets and their sequences were analyzed phylogenetically. The analysis revealed that OpSNPV belongs to group II NPVs and is most closely related to SNPVs that infect O. ericae and O. anartoides, respectively. These results show the need for multiple, concatenated gene phylogenies to classify baculoviruses.展开更多
基金funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,Grant No.201801D121193the Central Government Guiding Local Science and Technology Development Fund Project,Grant No.YDZJSX2022A001.
文摘Background:The immune system of insects exerts fundamentally different antiviral mechanisms than mammals.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)play vital roles in developing insect antiviral immunity.MiRNAs expression profiles of insects changed significantly during baculovirus infection.Methods:Differential expression profiles of miRNAs in Spodoptera frugiperda were monitored by next-generation sequencing(NGS)and RT-qPCR during Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus(AcMNPV)infection.The transcription levels of genes were detected by RT-qPCR.The 50%tissue culture infective dose(TCID_(50))endpoint dilution assay was used to determine the proliferation of progeny virus.Results:NGS revealed that 49 miRNAs were differentially expressed in Sf9 cells,and 10 of them were significantly up-or down-regulated.Though RT-qPCR analysis,we observed the similar trends for the expression patterns of significantly differentially expressed miRNAs from NGS.Moreover,the transcription levels of core genes,Exportin5,Dicer1,and Argonaute1,in miRNA biogenesis pathways were significantly increased after AcMNPV infection.For five selected miRNAs,miR-34-5p could regulate the proliferation of baculovirus progeny virus and energy metabolism.Conclusion:The miRNAs biogenesis pathway in Sf9 cells plays an important role and may be stimulated to resist AcMNPV infection.This work provides evidence for the molecular mechanism of baculovirus-insect interaction and offers novel ideas and directions for green pest control technology.
基金The project BACULOGENES of the European Union (LSHB-CT-2006-037541)The Netherlands Scientific Organisation (NWO) MEERVOUD program
文摘The Autographa californica multiple capsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) was the first baculovirus for which the complete nucleotide sequence became known. Since then 15 years lapsed and much research has been performed to elucidate putative functions of the annotated open reading frames of this virus and this endeavour is still ongoing. AcMNPV is the most well-known and well-studied baculovirus species, not in the least for its application as a vector for the high-level expression of foreign genes in insect cells. This article is the first monograph of a single baculovirus and gives a current overview of what is known about the 151 AcMNPV ORFs, including (putative) function and temporal and spatial presence of transcripts and protein. To date 60 ORFs have a proven function, another 19 ORFs have homologs for which functions are known in other baculoviruses and 72 ORFs are still enigmatic. This paper should assist the reader in quickly finding the essentials of AcMNPV.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Achievement Transformation Fund of Changsha Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology(K1301004-21)National Natural Science Foundation of China(31101460)Science and Technology Fund of China Tobacco Hunan Industrial Co.,Ltd.(09-11Aa30)~~
文摘The laboratory bioassay and field control efficacy of Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus（Spli NPV） Chenzhou strain were preliminarily examined. The efficient artificial propagation method was to feed the host larvae with virus suspension,and the average mortality of the insects was 65.0%. The death peak of the pests appeared 4-8 d after virus infection. The high temperature, high humidity and poor light could help the virus infection and propagation. Filed control efficacy of Chenzhou strain was 86.6% in laboratory, which was better than of another commercial strain. The corrected control efficacy of this strain was 88.4% the field, which was higher than that of avermectin pesticide significantly. It was detected that the occlusion body（OB） concentration of the initial virus＇ s stock solution was 1.03×1011OBs/ml,and it was a strong SpliNPV strain, as it showed an excellent efficacy to control the pest Spodoptera litura, and thus there will be a good prospect of application and development of this SpliNPV strain.
基金the National Nature Science Foundations of China(31030027,30400271),the National Natural Science Foundations of China for Young Scholars(31000081)
文摘Protamines are a group of highly basic proteins first discovered in spermatozoon that allow for denser packaging of DNA than histones and will result in down-regulation of gene transcription^l~. It is well recognized that the Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus （AcMNPV） encodes P6.9, a protamine-like protein that forms the viral subnucleosome through binding to the viral genome[29]. Previous research demonstrates that P6.9 is essential for viral nucleocapsid assembly, while it has no influence on viral genome replication1311. In the present study, the role of P6.9 in viral gene transcription regulation is characterized. In contrast to protamines or other protamine-like proteins that usually down-regulate gene transcription, P6.9 appears to up-regulate viral gene transcription at 12-24 hours post infection （hpi）, whereas it is non-essential for the basal level of viral gene transcription. Fluorescence microscopy reveals the P6.9＇s co-localization with DNA is temporally and spatially synchronized with P6.9＇s impact on viral gene transcription, indicating the P6.9-DNA association contributes to transcription regulation. Chromatin fractionation assay further reveals an unexpected co-existence of P6.9 and host RNA polymerase II in the same transcriptionally active chromatin fraction at 24 hpi, which may probably contribute to viral gene transcription up-regulation in the late infection phase.
基金National Nature Science Foundations of China (30325002,30670077)National Basic Research Priorities Program of China (2003CB1140).
文摘Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a key regulator of developmental processes. A FGF homolog (vFGF) is found in all lepidopteran baculoviruses. Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and Bombyx mori NPV (BmNPV) vFGFs are chemotactic factors. Here we analyzed the vfgf of Helicoverpa armigera NPV (HearNPV), a group II NPV. The HearNPV vfgf transcripts were detected from 18 to 96 h post-infection (hpi) of Hz-AM1 cells with HearNPV and encoded a 36 kDa protein, which was secreted into the culture medium. HearNPV vFGF had strong affinity to heparin, a property important for FGF signaling via an FGF receptor. Unlike its AcMNPV homolog, HearNPV vFGF specially chemoattracted Hz-AM1, but not other insect cells such as Sf9 and Se-UCR and not the mammalian cells 293 and HepG2. HearNPV vFGF is also associated with the envelope of BV but is absent in occlusion-derived virus, which coordinated to the chemotatic activity analysis.
文摘Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) has become an integral part of integrated pest management (IPM) in many Australian agricultural and horticultural crops. This is the culmination of years of work conducted by researchers at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QDPI&F) and Ag Biotech Australia Pty Ltd. In the early 1970’s researchers at QDPI&F identified and isolated a virus in Helicoverpa armigera populations in the field. This NPV was extensively studied and shown to be highly specific to Helicoverpa and Heliothis species. Further work showed that when used appropriately the virus could be used effectively to manage these insects in crops such as sorghum, cotton, chickpea and sweet corn. A similar virus was first commercially produced in the USA in the 1970’s. This product, Elcar?, was introduced into Australia in the late 1970’s by Shell Chemicals with limited success. A major factor contributing to the poor adoption of Elcar was the concurrent enormous success of the synthetic pyrethroids. The importance of integrated pest management was probably also not widely accepted at that time. Gradual development of insect resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and other synthetic insecticides in Australia and the increased awareness of the importance of IPM meant that researchers once again turned their attentions to environmentally friendly pest management tools such NPV and beneficial insects. In the 1990’s a company called Rhone-Poulenc registered an NPV for use in Australian sorghum, chickpea and cotton. This product, Gemstar?, was imported from the USA. In 2000 Ag Biotech Australia established an in-vivo production facility in Australia to produce commercial volumes of a product similar to the imported product. This product was branded, ViVUS?, and was first registered and sold commercially in Australia in 2003. The initial production of ViVUS used a virus identical to the American product but replicating it in an Australian Helicoverpa species, H. armigera. Subsequent research collaboration between QDPI&F and Ag Biotech reinvigorated interest in the local virus strain. This was purified and the production system adapted to produce it on a commercial scale. This new version of ViVUS, which was branded ViVUS Gold?, was first registered and sold commercially in 2004. Widespread insect resistance to insecticides and a greater understanding of integrated pest management is leading to increased adoption of technologies such NPV in Australian agriculture.
文摘Beginning in the early 1990s, the balsam fir sawfly (Neodiprion abietis) became a significant defoliating insect of precommercially thinned balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands in western Newfoundland, Canada. In 1997, a nucleopolyhedrovirus (NeabNPV) was isolated from the balsam fir sawfly and, as no control measures were then available, NeabNPV was developed for the biological control of balsam fir sawfly. In order to register NeabNPV for operational use under the Canadian Pest Control Products Act, research was carried out in a number of areas including NeabNPV field efficacy, non-target organism toxicology, balsam fir sawfly ecology and impact on balsam fir trees, and NeabNPV genome sequencing and analysis. As part of the field efficacy trials, approximately 22 500 hectares of balsam fir sawfly-infested forest were aerially treated with NeabNPV between 2000 and 2005. NeabNPV was found to be safe, efficacious, and economical for the suppression of balsam fir sawfly outbreak populations. Conditional registration for the NeabNPV-based product, Abietiv?, was received from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (Health Canada) in April 2006. In July 2006, Abietiv was applied by spray airplanes to 15 000 ha of balsam fir sawfly-infested forest in western Newfoundland in an operational control program.
基金This study was funded by MEC projects numbers AGL2005-07909-CO3-01 and AGL2008-05456-CO3-01/AGR
文摘An isolate of the Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus comprises a stable proportion of deletion genotypes （e.g., SfNIC-C）, that lack pifl and pif2 rendering them noninfectious per os, and that survive by complementation with a complete genotype （SfNIC-B） in coinfected cells. To determine whether selection for particular ratios of complete and deletion genotypes occurs mainly during the establishment of the primary infection in insect midgut cells or during subsequent systemic infection, we examined genotype frequencies in insects that fed on OBs comprising different co-occluded mixtures of genotypes. Dramatic changes in genotype frequencies were observed between the OB inoculum and budded virus （BV） samples taken from larvae inoculated with OBs comprising 10% SfNIC-B ＋ 90% SfNIC-C indicating that a marked reduction of SfNIC-C genotype had occurred in the insect midgut due to the immediate elimination of all OBs that originated from cells that had been infected only by SfNIC-C. In contrast, immediate changes were not observed in OBs comprising mixtures of 50% SfNIC-B ＋ 50% SfNIC-C or those comprising 10% SfNIC-B ＋ 90% SfNIC-C as most of the OBs in these mixtures originated from cells that had been infected by both genotypes. Subsequent changes in genotypic frequencies during five days of systemic infection were fairly small in magnitude for all genotypic mixtures. We conclude that the prevalence of defective genotypes in the SfNIC population is likely determined by a balance between host selection against OBs produced in cells infected by SfNIC-C alone and within-host selection for fast-replicating deletion genotypes. The strength of intra-host selection is likely modulated by changes in MOI during the infection period.
基金National Nature Science Foundations of China (31030027,30770085 and 30800044)
文摘Protein phosphorylation is one of the most common post-translational modification processes that play an essential role in regulating protein functionality.The Helicoverpa armigera single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) orf2-encoded nucleocapsid protein HA2 participates in orchestration of virus-induced actin polymerization through its WCA domain,in which phosphorylation status are supposed to be critical in respect to actin polymerization.In the present study,two putative phosphorylation sites (232Thr and 250Ser) and a highly conserved Serine (245Ser) on the WCA domain of HA2 were mutated,and their phenotypes were characterized by reintroducing the mutated HA2 into the HearNPV genome.Viral infectivity assays demonstrated that only the recombinant HearNPV bearing HA2 mutation at 245Ser can produce infectious virions,both 232Thr and 250Ser mutations were lethal to the virus.However,actin polymerization assay demonstrated that all the three viruses bearing HA2 mutations were still capable of initiating actin polymerization in the host nucleus,which indicated the putative phosphorylation sites on HA2 may contribute to HearNPV replication through another unidentified pathway.
基金a scholarship from the European Union (Functional Biodiversity and Crop Protection), contract n° HPMT-CT-2000-00199
文摘The Douglas-fir tussock moth Orgyia pseudotsugata (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) is a frequent defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western USA and Canada. A single nucleopolyhedrovirus (SNPV) isolated from O. pseudotsugata larvae in Canada (OpSNPV) was previously analyzed via its polyhedrin gene, but is phylogenetic status was ambiguous. Sequences of four conserved baculovirus genes, polyhedrin, lef-8, pif-2 and dpol, were amplified from OpSNPV DNA in polymerase chain reactions using degenerate primer sets and their sequences were analyzed phylogenetically. The analysis revealed that OpSNPV belongs to group II NPVs and is most closely related to SNPVs that infect O. ericae and O. anartoides, respectively. These results show the need for multiple, concatenated gene phylogenies to classify baculoviruses.
