Alphabaculovirus

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Robert L. Harrison - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Pathology and genome sequence of a Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) isolate from Heilongjiang, China
    Journal of invertebrate pathology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley, Melody A. Keena
    Abstract:

    The pathogenicity and genome sequence of isolate LdMNPV-HrB of the gypsy moth Alphabaculovirus, Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus from Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, were determined. A stock of this virus from one passage through the gypsy moth New Jersey Standard Strain (LdMNPV-HrB-NJSS) exhibited 6.2- to 11.9-fold greater pathogenicity against larvae from a Harbin colony of L. dispar asiatica than both Gypchek and a Massachusetts, USA LdMNPV isolate (LdMNPV-Ab-a624). Sequence determination and phylogenetic analysis of LdMNPV-HrB and LdMNPV-HrB-NJSS revealed that these isolates were most similar to other east Asian LdMNPV isolates with 98.8% genome sequence identity and formed a group with the east Asian LdMNPV isolates which was separate from groups of isolates from Russia, Europe, and USA.

  • A Novel Alphabaculovirus from the Soybean Looper, Chrysodeixis includens, that Produces Tetrahedral Occlusion Bodies and Encodes Two Copies of he65.
    Viruses, 2019
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley, Holly J. R. Popham
    Abstract:

    Isolates of the Alphabaculovirus species, Chrysodeixis includens nucleopolyhedrovirus, have been identified that produce polyhedral occlusion bodies and infect larvae of the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens. In this study, we report the discovery and characterization of a novel C. includens-infecting Alphabaculovirus, Chrysodeixis includens nucleopolyhedrovirus #1 (ChinNPV#1), that produces tetrahedral occlusion bodies. In bioassays against C. includens larvae, ChinNPV #1 exhibited a degree of pathogenicity that was similar to that of other ChinNPV isolates, but killed larvae more slowly. The host range of ChinNPV#1 was found to be very narrow, with no indication of infection occurring in larvae of Trichoplusia ni and six other noctuid species. The ChinNPV#1 genome sequence was determined to be 130,540 bp, with 126 open reading frames (ORFs) annotated but containing no homologous repeat (hr) regions. Phylogenetic analysis placed ChinNPV#1 in a clade with other Group II Alphabaculoviruses from hosts of lepidopteran subfamily Plusiinae, including Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus and Trichoplusia ni single nucleopolyhedrovirus. A unique feature of the ChinNPV#1 genome was the presence of two full-length copies of the he65 ORF. The results indicate that ChinNPV#1 is related to, but distinct from, other ChinNPV isolates.

  • The complete genome sequence of a second Alphabaculovirus from the true armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta: implications for baculovirus phylogeny and host specificity
    Virus Genes, 2019
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Gary R. Bauchan, David A. Theilmann, Joseph D. Mowery, Martin A. Erlandson
    Abstract:

    The Mythimna unipuncta nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate KY310 (MyunNPV-KY310) is an Alphabaculovirus isolated from a true armyworm ( Mythimna unipuncta ) population in Kentucky, USA. Occlusion bodies of this virus were examined by electron microscopy and the genome sequence was determined by 454 pyrosequencing. MyunNPV-KY310 occlusion bodies consisted of irregular polyhedra measuring 0.8–1.8 µm in diameter and containing multiple virions, with one to six nucleocapsids per virion. The genome sequence was determined to be 156,647 bp with a nucleotide distribution of 43.9% G+C. 152 ORFs and six homologous repeat (hr) regions were annotated for the sequence, including the 38 core genes of family Baculoviridae and an additional group of 26 conserved Alphabaculovirus genes. BLAST queries and phylogenetic inference confirmed that MyunNPV-KY310 is most closely related to the Alphabaculovirus Leucania separata nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate AH1, which infects Mythimna separata . In contrast, MyunNPV-KY310 did not exhibit a close relationship with Mythimna unipuncta nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate #7, an Alphabaculovirus from the same host species. MyunNPV-KY310 lacks the gp64 envelope glycoprotein, which is a characteristic of group II Alphabaculoviruses. However, this virus and five other Alphabaculoviruses lacking gp64 are placed outside the group I and group II clades in core gene phylogenies, further demonstrating that viruses of genus Alphabaculovirus do not occur in two monophyletic clades. Potential instances of MyunNPV-KY310 ORFs arising by horizontal transfer were detected. Although there are now genome sequences of four different baculoviruses from M. unipuncta , comparison of their genome sequences provides little insight into the genetic basis for their host specificity.

  • the complete genome sequence of an Alphabaculovirus from spodoptera exempta an agricultural pest of major economic significance in africa
    PLOS ONE, 2019
    Co-Authors: Shannon R Escasa, Joseph Mowery, Gary R. Bauchan, Robert L. Harrison, Jenny S Cory
    Abstract:

    Spodoptera exempta nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpexNPV) is a viral pathogen of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a significant agricultural pest of cereal crops in Africa. SpexNPV has been evaluated as a potential insecticide for control of this pest and has served as the subject of research on baculovirus pathology and transmission. Occlusion bodies (OBs) of SpexNPV isolate 244.1 were examined, and the nucleotide sequence of the genome was determined and characterized. SpexNPV-244.1 OBs consisted of irregular polyhedra with a size and appearance typical for Alphabaculoviruses. Virions within the polyhedra contained 1-8 nucleocapsids per unit envelope. The SpexNPV-244.1 genome was comprised of a 129,528 bp circular sequence, in which 139 ORFs were annotated. Five homologous regions (hrs) consisting of a variable number of 28-bp imperfect palindromes were identified in the genome. The genome sequence contained the 38 core genes of family Baculoviridae, as well as three ORFs unique to the SpexNPV sequence and one ORF that was apparently acquired by horizontal gene transfer with a betabaculovirus ancestor. Phylogenetic inference with core gene amino acid sequence alignments placed SpexNPV-244.1 in a lineage containing Alphabaculoviruses of Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodopotera exigua which in turn is part of a larger group of Alphabaculoviruses from the subfamily Noctuinae in the lepidopteran family Noctuidae. Kimura-2-parameter pairwise nucleotide distances indicated that SpexNPV-244.1 represented a different and previously unlisted species in the genus Alphabaculovirus. Gene parity plots indicated that the gene order of SpexNPV-244.l was extensively collinear with that of Spodoptera exigua NPV (SeMNPV). These plots also revealed a group of 17 core genes whose order was conserved in other alpha- and betabaculoviruses.

  • Complete Genome Sequence of an Alphabaculovirus from the Southern Armyworm, Spodoptera eridania
    Microbiology resource announcements, 2019
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACT We report the complete genome sequence of a baculovirus from the moth Spodoptera eridania, the southern armyworm. The genome sequence is 149,090 bp and exhibits the greatest degree of sequence similarity with genomes from Alphabaculoviruses isolated from other moths of the genus Spodoptera.

Daniel L Rowley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Pathology and genome sequence of a Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) isolate from Heilongjiang, China
    Journal of invertebrate pathology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley, Melody A. Keena
    Abstract:

    The pathogenicity and genome sequence of isolate LdMNPV-HrB of the gypsy moth Alphabaculovirus, Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus from Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, were determined. A stock of this virus from one passage through the gypsy moth New Jersey Standard Strain (LdMNPV-HrB-NJSS) exhibited 6.2- to 11.9-fold greater pathogenicity against larvae from a Harbin colony of L. dispar asiatica than both Gypchek and a Massachusetts, USA LdMNPV isolate (LdMNPV-Ab-a624). Sequence determination and phylogenetic analysis of LdMNPV-HrB and LdMNPV-HrB-NJSS revealed that these isolates were most similar to other east Asian LdMNPV isolates with 98.8% genome sequence identity and formed a group with the east Asian LdMNPV isolates which was separate from groups of isolates from Russia, Europe, and USA.

  • A Novel Alphabaculovirus from the Soybean Looper, Chrysodeixis includens, that Produces Tetrahedral Occlusion Bodies and Encodes Two Copies of he65.
    Viruses, 2019
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley, Holly J. R. Popham
    Abstract:

    Isolates of the Alphabaculovirus species, Chrysodeixis includens nucleopolyhedrovirus, have been identified that produce polyhedral occlusion bodies and infect larvae of the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens. In this study, we report the discovery and characterization of a novel C. includens-infecting Alphabaculovirus, Chrysodeixis includens nucleopolyhedrovirus #1 (ChinNPV#1), that produces tetrahedral occlusion bodies. In bioassays against C. includens larvae, ChinNPV #1 exhibited a degree of pathogenicity that was similar to that of other ChinNPV isolates, but killed larvae more slowly. The host range of ChinNPV#1 was found to be very narrow, with no indication of infection occurring in larvae of Trichoplusia ni and six other noctuid species. The ChinNPV#1 genome sequence was determined to be 130,540 bp, with 126 open reading frames (ORFs) annotated but containing no homologous repeat (hr) regions. Phylogenetic analysis placed ChinNPV#1 in a clade with other Group II Alphabaculoviruses from hosts of lepidopteran subfamily Plusiinae, including Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus and Trichoplusia ni single nucleopolyhedrovirus. A unique feature of the ChinNPV#1 genome was the presence of two full-length copies of the he65 ORF. The results indicate that ChinNPV#1 is related to, but distinct from, other ChinNPV isolates.

  • Complete Genome Sequence of an Alphabaculovirus from the Southern Armyworm, Spodoptera eridania
    Microbiology resource announcements, 2019
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACT We report the complete genome sequence of a baculovirus from the moth Spodoptera eridania, the southern armyworm. The genome sequence is 149,090 bp and exhibits the greatest degree of sequence similarity with genomes from Alphabaculoviruses isolated from other moths of the genus Spodoptera.

  • The complete genome sequence of a third distinct baculovirus isolated from the true armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta, contains two copies of the lef-7 gene
    Virus Genes, 2018
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley, Gary R. Bauchan, David A. Theilmann, Joseph D. Mowery, George F. Rohrmann, Martin A. Erlandson
    Abstract:

    A baculovirus isolate from a USDA Forest Service collection was characterized by electron microscopy and analysis of its genome sequence. The isolate, formerly referred to as Pseudoletia ( Mythimna ) sp. nucleopolyhedrovirus #7 (MyspNPV#7), was determined by barcoding PCR to derive from the host species Mythimna unipuncta (true armyworm) and was renamed Mythimna unipuncta nucleopolyhedrovirus #7 (MyunNPV#7). The occlusion bodies (OBs) and virions exhibited a size and morphology typical for OBs produced by the species of genus Alphabaculovirus , with occlusion-derived virions consisting of 2–5 nucleocapsids within a single envelope. The MyunNPV#7 genome was determined to be 148,482 bp with a 48.58% G+C nucleotide distribution. A total of 159 ORFs of 150 bp or larger were annotated in the genome sequence, including the 38 core genes of family Baculoviridae . The genome contained six homologous repeat regions ( hr s) consisting of multiple copies of a 34-bp imperfect palindrome. Phylogenetic inference from concatenated baculovirus core gene amino acid sequence alignments placed MyunNPV#7 with group II Alphabaculoviruses isolated from other armyworm and cutworm host species of lepidopteran family Noctuidae. MyunNPV#7 could be distinguished from other viruses in this group on the basis of differences in gene content and order. Pairwise nucleotide distances suggested that MyunNPV#7 represents a distinct species in Alphabaculovirus . The MyunNPV#7 genome was found to contain two copies of the late expression factor - 7 ( lef - 7 ) gene, a feature not reported for any other baculovirus genome to date. Both copies of lef - 7 encoded an F-box domain, which is required for the function of LEF-7 in baculovirus DNA replication.

  • The Operophtera brumata Nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpbuNPV) Represents an Early, Divergent Lineage within Genus Alphabaculovirus
    Viruses, 2017
    Co-Authors: Robert L. Harrison, Daniel L Rowley, Joseph Mowery, Gary R. Bauchan, John P. Burand
    Abstract:

    Operophtera brumata nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpbuNPV) infects the larvae of the winter moth, Operophtera brumata. As part of an effort to explore the pesticidal potential of OpbuNPV, an isolate of this virus from Massachusetts (USA)—OpbuNPV-MA—was characterized by electron microscopy of OpbuNPV occlusion bodies (OBs) and by sequencing of the viral genome. The OBs of OpbuNPV-MA consisted of irregular polyhedra and contained virions consisting of a single rod-shaped nucleocapsid within each envelope. Presumptive cypovirus OBs were also detected in sections of the OB preparation. The OpbuNPV-MA genome assembly yielded a circular contig of 119,054 bp and was found to contain little genetic variation, with most polymorphisms occurring at a frequency of < 6%. A total of 130 open reading frames (ORFs) were annotated, including the 38 core genes of Baculoviridae, along with five homologous repeat (hr) regions. The results of BLASTp and phylogenetic analysis with selected ORFs indicated that OpbuNPV-MA is not closely related to other Alphabaculoviruses. Phylogenies based on concatenated core gene amino acid sequence alignments placed OpbuNPV-MA on a basal branch lying outside other Alphabaculovirus clades. These results indicate that OpbuNPV-MA represents a divergent baculovirus lineage that appeared early during the diversification of genus Alphabaculovirus.

Bergmann Morais Ribeiro - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Genomic analyses of Biston suppressaria nucleopolyhedrovirus: a viral isolate obtained from the tea looper caterpillar, Biston suppressaria (Guenée, 1857)
    Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 2021
    Co-Authors: Lucas Boeni De Oliveira, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Daniel Ricardo Sosa-gómez, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    We described the complete genome sequence of a novel baculovirus isolate of species Buzura suppressaria nucleopolyhedrovirus , called by isolate CNPSo-25. The occlusion bodies were found to be polyhedral in shape and to contain virions with singly embedded nucleocapsids. The size of the genome is 121,377 bp with a G+C content of 36.7%. We annotated 131 ORFs that cover 90.42% of the genome. Moreover, phylogenetic inference indicated that CNPSo-25 is a member of genus Alphabaculovirus that clustered together with two other Chinese isolates of the same species. We called the virus by Biston suppressaria nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate CNPSo-25 (BisuNPV-CNPSo-25), as Buzura was placed inside the lepidopteran genus Biston . As expected, we detected intra-population variability in the virus sample when the novel isolate was compared to the Chinese isolates: 292 single nucleotide variants were found in the genome, with 181 affecting the protein product. The closest representatives of other species to BisuNPV-CNPSo-25 was found to be Sucra jujuba nucleopolyhedrovirus and Hyposidra talaca nucleopolyhedrovirus, two other virus isolates of geometrid caterpillars. The study of baculovirus genomes is of importance for the development of tools for insect pest biological control and biotechnology.

  • Characterization of a novel Alphabaculovirus isolated from the Southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Cramer, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the evolution of odv-e66, a bacterium-acquired baculoviral chondroitinase gene.
    Genomics, 2020
    Co-Authors: Daniela T. Rodrigues, Daniel R. Sosa-gómez, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Lenen Peterson, Lucas Boeni De Oliveira, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    Abstract The Southern armyworm Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is native to the American tropics and a polyphagous pest of several crops. Here we characterized a novel Alphabaculovirus isolated from S. eridania, isolate Spodoptera eridania nucleopolyhedrivurus CNPSo-165 (SperNPV-CNPSo-165). SperNPV-CNPSo-165 occlusion bodies were found to be polyhedral and to contain virions with multiple nucleocapsids. The virus was lethal to S. eridania and S. albula but not to S. frugiperda. The SperNPV-CNPSo-165 genome was 137.373 bp in size with a G + C content of 42.8%. We annotated 151 ORFs with 16 ORFs unique among baculoviruses. Phylogenetic inference indicated that this virus was closely related to the most recent common ancestor of other Spodoptera-isolated viruses.

  • Trichoplusia ni and Chrysodeixis includens larvae show different susceptibility to Chrysodeixis includens single nucleopolyhedrovirus per os infection
    Journal of Pest Science, 2020
    Co-Authors: Fabricio Da Silva Morgado, Leonardo Assis Silva, Laryssa Moreira Bernardes, Cecilia Czepak, Michael R. Strand, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro
    Abstract:

    Many factors affect the host range of baculoviruses. Chrysodeixis includens and Trichoplusia ni are two closely related members of the lepidopteran subfamily Plusiinae that are important insect pests of different crops worldwide. In Brazil, C. includens has recently become a major defoliating pest of soybean. In this study, we compared the susceptibility of C. includens and T. ni to an Alphabaculovirus isolated from a C. includens population in Brazil named Chrysodeixis includens nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate GO (ChinNPV-GO). Our results showed that ChinNPV-GO infects and kills C. includens at low oral doses, whereas T. ni larvae exhibited much lower levels of susceptibility to oral infection. In contrast, ChinNPV-GO very similarly infected and killed C. includens and T. ni larvae after budded viruses were injected into the hemocoel. Altogether, we conclude that T. ni is much less susceptible to ChinNPV-GO due to a reduced ability of this virus to establish a primary infection in the midgut. Our results further support that ChinNPV-GO and other plusiinae-associated SNPVs studied to date exhibit restricted host ranges even though known hosts are phylogenetically closely related.

  • A Nymphalid-Infecting Group I Alphabaculovirus Isolated from the Major Passion Fruit Caterpillar Pest Dione juno juno (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).
    Viruses, 2019
    Co-Authors: Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Luana Beló Trentin, Ethiane Rozo Dos Santos, Fernando L. Melo, Leonardo Assis Silva, Elliot W. Kitajima, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    Baculoviruses are capable of infecting a wide diversity of insect pests. In the 1990s, the Dione juno nucleopolyhedrovirus (DijuNPV) was isolated from larvae of the major passionfruit defoliator pest Dione juno juno (Nymphalidae) and described at ultrastructural and pathological levels. In this study, the complete genome sequence of DijuNPV was determined and analyzed. The circular genome presents 122,075 bp with a G + C content of 50.9%. DijuNPV is the first Alphabaculovirus completely sequenced that was isolated from a nymphalid host and may represent a divergent species. It appeared closely related to Orgyia pseudotsugata multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpMNPV) and other Choristoneura-isolated group I Alphabaculoviruses. We annotated 153 open reading frames (ORFs), including a set of 38 core genes, 26 ORFs identified as present in lepidopteran baculoviruses, 17 ORFs unique in baculovirus, and several auxiliary genes (e.g., bro, cathepsin, chitinase, iap-1, iap-2, and thymidylate kinase). The thymidylate kinase (tmk) gene was present fused to a dUTPase (dut) gene in other baculovirus genomes. DijuNPV likely lost the dut portion together with the iap-3 homolog. Overall, the genome sequencing of novel Alphabaculoviruses enables a wide understanding of baculovirus evolution.

  • The complete genome of Rachiplusia nu nucleopolyhedrovirus (RanuNPV) and the identification of a baculoviral CPD-photolyase homolog
    Virology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Luana Beló Trentin, Ethiane Rozo Dos Santos, Admilton G. Oliveira Junior, Daniel R. Sosa-gómez, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    Abstract We described a novel baculovirus isolated from the polyphagous insect pest Rachiplusia nu. The virus presented pyramidal-shaped occlusion bodies (OBs) with singly-embed nucleocapsids and a dose mortality response of 6.9 × 103 OBs/ml to third-instar larvae of R. nu. The virus genome is 128,587 bp long with a G + C content of 37.9% and 134 predicted ORFs. The virus is an Alphabaculovirus closely related to Trichoplusia ni single nucleopolyhedrovirus, Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus, and Chrysodeixis includens single nucleopolyhedrovirus and may constitute a new species. Surprisingly, we found co-evolution among the related viruses and their hosts at species level. Besides, auxiliary genes with homologs in other baculoviruses were found, e.g. a CPD-photolyase. The gene seemed to be result of a single event of horizontal transfer from lepidopterans to Alphabaculovirus, followed by a transference from alpha to betabaculovirus. The predicted protein appears to be an active enzyme that ensures likely DNA protection from sunlight.

Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Genomic analyses of Biston suppressaria nucleopolyhedrovirus: a viral isolate obtained from the tea looper caterpillar, Biston suppressaria (Guenée, 1857)
    Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 2021
    Co-Authors: Lucas Boeni De Oliveira, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Daniel Ricardo Sosa-gómez, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    We described the complete genome sequence of a novel baculovirus isolate of species Buzura suppressaria nucleopolyhedrovirus , called by isolate CNPSo-25. The occlusion bodies were found to be polyhedral in shape and to contain virions with singly embedded nucleocapsids. The size of the genome is 121,377 bp with a G+C content of 36.7%. We annotated 131 ORFs that cover 90.42% of the genome. Moreover, phylogenetic inference indicated that CNPSo-25 is a member of genus Alphabaculovirus that clustered together with two other Chinese isolates of the same species. We called the virus by Biston suppressaria nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate CNPSo-25 (BisuNPV-CNPSo-25), as Buzura was placed inside the lepidopteran genus Biston . As expected, we detected intra-population variability in the virus sample when the novel isolate was compared to the Chinese isolates: 292 single nucleotide variants were found in the genome, with 181 affecting the protein product. The closest representatives of other species to BisuNPV-CNPSo-25 was found to be Sucra jujuba nucleopolyhedrovirus and Hyposidra talaca nucleopolyhedrovirus, two other virus isolates of geometrid caterpillars. The study of baculovirus genomes is of importance for the development of tools for insect pest biological control and biotechnology.

  • Characterization of a novel Alphabaculovirus isolated from the Southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Cramer, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the evolution of odv-e66, a bacterium-acquired baculoviral chondroitinase gene.
    Genomics, 2020
    Co-Authors: Daniela T. Rodrigues, Daniel R. Sosa-gómez, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Lenen Peterson, Lucas Boeni De Oliveira, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    Abstract The Southern armyworm Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is native to the American tropics and a polyphagous pest of several crops. Here we characterized a novel Alphabaculovirus isolated from S. eridania, isolate Spodoptera eridania nucleopolyhedrivurus CNPSo-165 (SperNPV-CNPSo-165). SperNPV-CNPSo-165 occlusion bodies were found to be polyhedral and to contain virions with multiple nucleocapsids. The virus was lethal to S. eridania and S. albula but not to S. frugiperda. The SperNPV-CNPSo-165 genome was 137.373 bp in size with a G + C content of 42.8%. We annotated 151 ORFs with 16 ORFs unique among baculoviruses. Phylogenetic inference indicated that this virus was closely related to the most recent common ancestor of other Spodoptera-isolated viruses.

  • A Nymphalid-Infecting Group I Alphabaculovirus Isolated from the Major Passion Fruit Caterpillar Pest Dione juno juno (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).
    Viruses, 2019
    Co-Authors: Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Luana Beló Trentin, Ethiane Rozo Dos Santos, Fernando L. Melo, Leonardo Assis Silva, Elliot W. Kitajima, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    Baculoviruses are capable of infecting a wide diversity of insect pests. In the 1990s, the Dione juno nucleopolyhedrovirus (DijuNPV) was isolated from larvae of the major passionfruit defoliator pest Dione juno juno (Nymphalidae) and described at ultrastructural and pathological levels. In this study, the complete genome sequence of DijuNPV was determined and analyzed. The circular genome presents 122,075 bp with a G + C content of 50.9%. DijuNPV is the first Alphabaculovirus completely sequenced that was isolated from a nymphalid host and may represent a divergent species. It appeared closely related to Orgyia pseudotsugata multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpMNPV) and other Choristoneura-isolated group I Alphabaculoviruses. We annotated 153 open reading frames (ORFs), including a set of 38 core genes, 26 ORFs identified as present in lepidopteran baculoviruses, 17 ORFs unique in baculovirus, and several auxiliary genes (e.g., bro, cathepsin, chitinase, iap-1, iap-2, and thymidylate kinase). The thymidylate kinase (tmk) gene was present fused to a dUTPase (dut) gene in other baculovirus genomes. DijuNPV likely lost the dut portion together with the iap-3 homolog. Overall, the genome sequencing of novel Alphabaculoviruses enables a wide understanding of baculovirus evolution.

  • The complete genome of Rachiplusia nu nucleopolyhedrovirus (RanuNPV) and the identification of a baculoviral CPD-photolyase homolog
    Virology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Luana Beló Trentin, Ethiane Rozo Dos Santos, Admilton G. Oliveira Junior, Daniel R. Sosa-gómez, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    Abstract We described a novel baculovirus isolated from the polyphagous insect pest Rachiplusia nu. The virus presented pyramidal-shaped occlusion bodies (OBs) with singly-embed nucleocapsids and a dose mortality response of 6.9 × 103 OBs/ml to third-instar larvae of R. nu. The virus genome is 128,587 bp long with a G + C content of 37.9% and 134 predicted ORFs. The virus is an Alphabaculovirus closely related to Trichoplusia ni single nucleopolyhedrovirus, Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus, and Chrysodeixis includens single nucleopolyhedrovirus and may constitute a new species. Surprisingly, we found co-evolution among the related viruses and their hosts at species level. Besides, auxiliary genes with homologs in other baculoviruses were found, e.g. a CPD-photolyase. The gene seemed to be result of a single event of horizontal transfer from lepidopterans to Alphabaculovirus, followed by a transference from alpha to betabaculovirus. The predicted protein appears to be an active enzyme that ensures likely DNA protection from sunlight.

  • The complete genome sequence of the first hesperiid-infecting Alphabaculovirus isolated from the leguminous pest Urbanus proteus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).
    Virus research, 2018
    Co-Authors: Ethiane Rozo Dos Santos, Daniel R. Sosa-gómez, Bergmann Morais Ribeiro, Lenen Peterson, Lucas Boeni De Oliveira, Daniel M.p. Ardisson-araújo
    Abstract:

    Baculoviruses are insect viruses largely used as expression vectors and biopesticides. These viruses can efficiently infect the larval stage of several agricultural pests worldwide causing a lethal disease. In this work, we found a novel baculovirus isolated from the larval stage of Urbanus proteus (L.), the bean leafroller and characterized its complete genome. This is an important pest of several leguminous plants in Brazil and belongs to the butterfly family Hesperiidae, from where no baculovirus genome sequence has been described. This new virus was shown to have the smallest genome among all Alphabaculoviruses sequenced to date, with 105,555 bp and 119 putative ORFs. We found ten unique genes, seven bro, and the 38 baculovirus core genes. UrprNPV was found to be related to the Adoxophyes-infecting baculoviruses AdorNPV and AdhoNPV with high genetic distance and a long branch length. Interestingly, few individual core gene-based phylogenies were found to support the relationship of UrprNPV to both AdorNPV and AdhoNPV. Importantly, the increase in number of completely sequenced baculovirus points to a very exciting way to understand baculovirus and its evolution and could potentially help the use of baculovirus as both biopesticides and expression vectors.

Hualin Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Genome Analysis of a Novel Clade II.b Alphabaculovirus Obtained from Artaxa digramma
    Viruses, 2019
    Co-Authors: Xiaoyan Duan, Hualin Wang, Fei Deng, Manli Wang, Qianran Wang, Lei Zhang, Jun Wang
    Abstract:

    Artaxa digramma is a lepidopteran pest distributed throughout southern China, Myanmar, Indonesia, and India. Artaxa digramma nucleopolyhedrovirus (ArdiNPV) is a specific viral pathogen of A. digramma and deemed as a promising biocontrol agent against the pest. In this study, the complete genome sequence of ArdiNPV was determined by deep sequencing. The genome of ArdiNPV contains a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) of 161,734 bp in length and 39.1% G+C content. Further, 149 hypothetical open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted to encode proteins >50 amino acids in length, covering 83% of the whole genome. Among these ORFs, 38 were baculovirus core genes, 22 were lepidopteran baculovirus conserved genes, and seven were unique to ArdiNPV, respectively. No typical baculoviral homologous regions (hrs) were identified in the genome. ArdiNPV had five multi-copy genes including baculovirus repeated ORFs (bros), calcium/sodium antiporter B (chaB), DNA binding protein (dbp), inhibitor of apoptosis protein (iap), and p26. Interestingly, phylogenetic analyses showed that ArdiNPV belonged to Clade II.b of Group II Alphabaculoviruses, which all contain a second copy of dbp. The genome of ArdiNPV was the closest to Euproctis pseudoconspersa nucleopolyhedrovirus, with 57.4% whole-genome similarity. Therefore, these results suggest that ArdiNPV is a novel baculovirus belonging to a newly identified cluster of Clade II.b Alphabaculoviruses.

  • Functional Characterization of the Group I Alphabaculovirus Specific Gene ac73
    Virologica Sinica, 2019
    Co-Authors: Wei Shao, Lihong He, Qingxiu Chen, Zhihong Hu, Hualin Wang, Fei Deng, Jiang Li, Manli Wang
    Abstract:

    Baculoviridae is a family of large DNA viruses that specifically infect insects. It contains four genera, Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma-, and Deltabaculovirus. Alphabaculovirus is further divided into Group I and II, and Group I appears to be emerged most recently among all baculoviruses. Interestingly, there are 12 Group I specific genes that are only found in this lineage. Studying these genes is helpful to understand how baculoviruses evolved. Here, we reported the functional analyzing results of ac73, a function unknown Group I specific gene of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) which is the type species of baculovirus. The AC73 protein encoded by ac73 was found to be expressed during the late stage of infection and incorporated into the nucleocapsids of budded virus (BV) and occlusion-derived virus (ODV). In infected cells, AC73 resided mainly in the ring zone region of the nucleus, and appeared to be assembled into occlusion bodies (OBs). The ac73 knockout and repaired viruses were constructed and studied by in vitro and in vivo infection. Although ac73 was not essential for BV and ODV or OB formation, the BV titer and viral infectivity in insect larvae of ac73 knockout AcMNPV decreased by about 5–8 and 3–4 fold compared to those of wild type virus, respectively, suggesting ac73 contributed to infectious BV production and viral infectivity in vivo. This research provides new insight into the function of this Group I specific gene.

  • Genome analysis of a novel Group I Alphabaculovirus obtained from Oxyplax ochracea
    PloS one, 2018
    Co-Authors: Jun Wang, Fei Deng, Wenhua Kuang, Qianran Wang, Dianhai Hou, Lei Zhang, Shu Shen, Hualin Wang
    Abstract:

    Oxyplax ochracea (Moore) is a pest that causes severe damage to a wide range of crops, forests and fruit trees. The complete genome sequence of Oxyplax ochracea nucleopolyhedrovirus (OxocNPV) was determined using a Roche 454 pyrosequencing system. OxocNPV has a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome of 113,971 bp with a G+C content of 31.1%. One hundred and twenty-four putative open reading frames (ORFs) encoding proteins of >50 amino acids in length and with minimal overlapping were predicted, which covered 92% of the whole genome. Six baculoviral typical homologous regions (hrs) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis and gene parity plot analysis showed that OxocNPV belongs to clade "a" of Group I Alphabaculoviruses, and it seems to be close to the most recent common ancestor of Group I Alphabaculoviruses. Three unique ORFs (with no homologs in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database) were identified. Interestingly, OxocNPV lacks three auxiliary genes (lef7, ie-2 and pcna) related to viral DNA replication and RNA transcription. In addition, OxocNPV has significantly different sequences for several genes (including ie1 and odv-e66) in comparison with those of other baculoviruses. However, three dimensional structure prediction showed that OxocNPV ODV-E66 contain the conserved catalytic residues, implying that it might possess polysaccharide lyase activity as AcMNPV ODV-E66. All these unique features suggest that OxocNPV represents a novel species of the Group I Alphabaculovirus lineage.

  • Deltabaculoviruses encode a functional type I budded virus envelope fusion protein.
    The Journal of general virology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Manli Wang, Hualin Wang, Shu Shen, James J. Becnel, Just M. Vlak
    Abstract:

    Envelope fusion proteins (F proteins) are major constituents of budded viruses (BVs) of alpha- and betabaculoviruses (Baculoviridae) and are essential for the systemic infection of insect larvae and insect cell culture. An f homologue gene is absent in gammabaculoviruses. Here we characterized the putative F-homologue (Cuni-F), encoded by (ORF) 104 of Culex nigripalpus nucleopolyhedrovirus (CuniNPV), the only deltabaculovirus member. When expressed alone, this protein seems to locate on the cell surface and is able to induce cell–cell fusion. When expressed by an Alphabaculovirus (Autographa california nucleopolyhedrovirus), it was found to be incorporated into BVs. Western blot analyses detected the uncleaved Cuni-F0 and the furin-cleaved F1 forms. Treatment of infected cells with tunicamycin showed that Cuni-F contains N-glycans. Mutagenesis analysis identified the canonical furin cleavage site 126RARR129 as being responsible for the cleavage of Cuni-F in insect cells. The collective evidence suggests that CuniNPV encodes a functional F protein.

  • Genome Sequencing and Analysis of Catopsilia pomona nucleopolyhedrovirus: A Distinct Species in Group I Alphabaculovirus.
    PloS one, 2016
    Co-Authors: Jun Wang, Hualin Wang, Manli Wang, Basil M. Arif, Zheng Zhu, Dianhai Hou, Lei Zhang, Zheng Kou, Fei Deng
    Abstract:

    The genome sequence of Catopsilia pomona nucleopolyhedrovirus (CapoNPV) was determined by the Roche 454 sequencing system. The genome consisted of 128,058 bp and had an overall G+C content of 40%. There were 130 hypothetical open reading frames (ORFs) potentially encoding proteins of more than 50 amino acids and covering 92% of the genome. Among all the hypothetical ORFs, 37 baculovirus core genes, 23 lepidopteran baculovirus conserved genes and 10 genes conserved in Group I Alphabaculoviruses were identified. In addition, the genome included regions of 8 typical baculoviral homologous repeat sequences (hrs). Phylogenic analysis showed that CapoNPV was in a distinct branch of clade “a” in Group I Alphabaculoviruses. Gene parity plot analysis and overall similarity of ORFs indicated that CapoNPV is more closely related to the Group I Alphabaculoviruses than to other baculoviruses. Interesting, CapoNPV lacks the genes encoding the fibroblast growth factor (fgf) and ac30, which are conserved in most lepidopteran and Group I baculoviruses, respectively. Sequence analysis of the F-like protein of CapoNPV showed that some amino acids were inserted into the fusion peptide region and the pre-transmembrane region of the protein. All these unique features imply that CapoNPV represents a member of a new baculovirus species.