Genome analysis of Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h isolated from China

No ascovirus isolated from China has been sequenced so far. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to sequence the genome of Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV-3h) using the 454 pyrosequencing technology. The genome was found to be 190,519-bp long with a G+C content of 45.5%. We also found that it encodes 185 hypothetical open reading frames (ORFs) along with at least 50 amino acids, including 181 ORFs found in other ascoviruses and 4 unique ORFs. Gene-parity plots and phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between HvAV-3h and three other HvAV-3a strains and a distant relationship with Spodoptera frugiperda ascovirus 1a (SfAV-1a), Trichoplusia ni ascovirus 6a (TnAV-6a), and Diadromus pulchellus ascovirus 4a (DpAV-4a). Among the 185 potential genes encoded by the genome, 44 core genes were found in all the sequenced ascoviruses. In addition, 25 genes were found to be conserved in all ascoviruses except DpAV-4a. In the HvAV-3h genome, 24 baculovirus repeat ORFs (bros) were present, and the typical homologous repeat regions (hrs) were absent. This study supplies information important for understanding the conservation and functions of ascovirus genes as well as the variety of ascoviral genomes.

Open image in new window

     

Novel strategies for the biocontrol of noctuid pests (Lepidoptera) based on improving ascovirus infectivity using Bacillus thuringiensis

Identifying novel biocontrol agents and developing new strategies are urgent goals in insect pest biocontrol. Ascoviruses are potential competent insect viruses that may be developed into bioinsecticides, but this aim is impeded by their poor oral infectivity. To improve the per os infectivity of ascovirus, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) was employed as a helper to damage the midgut of lepidopteran larvae (Helicoverpa armigera, Mythimna separata, Spodoptera frugiperda, and S. litura) in formulations with Heliothis virescens ascovirus isolates (HvAV-3h and HvAV-3j). Btk and ascovirus mixtures (Btk/HvAV-3h and Btk/HvAV-3j) were fed to insect larvae (3rd instar). With the exception of S. frugiperda larvae, which exhibited low mortality after ingesting Btk, the larvae of the other tested species showed three types of response to feeding on the formulas: type I, the tested larvae (H. armigera) were killed by Btk infection so quickly that insufficient time and resources remained for ascoviral invasion; type II, both Btk and the ascovirus were depleted by their competition, such that neither was successfully released or colonized the tissue; type III, Btk was eliminated by the ascovirus, and the ascovirus achieved systemic infection in the tested larvae. The feeding of Btk/ascovirus formulas led to a great reduction in larval diet consumption and resulted in a significant decrease in the emergence rate of H. armigera, M. separata, and S. litura larvae, which suggested that the formulas exerted marked oral control effects on both the contemporary individuals and the next generation of these tested pest species.     

烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3h株3h-38基因原核表达及转录、表达时相分析

烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3h株(Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h,HvAV-3h)作为一种极具生防潜力的环状双链DNA昆虫病毒,自被分离后,对其基因的特性和相关蛋白功能研究从未间断.本研究通过生物信息学预测3H-38蛋白序列发现其131～150氨基酸位置有一段由胞外向胞内的跨膜区序列,N端23 ～ 121氨基酸位置有一个BRO家族结构域,和其同源蛋白的序列对比发现3H-38与烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3i株(Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3i,HvAV-3i)和烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3j株(Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3j,HvAV-3j)编码的同源蛋白3I40和3J-43相似性高达85％以上.进一步通过RT-PCR克隆、构建pET-28a-38原核表达载体、IPTG诱导表达、Ni2+-NTA亲和层析柱纯化蛋白等方法获得了His-tag融合的3H-38重组蛋白,并制备了该蛋白的兔多克隆抗体.通过检测3h-38基因在HvAV-3h感染的甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)幼虫中的转录和表达时相,本研究发现3h-38从感染后3h开始转录,从感染后36 h开始表达,即3h-38是一个早期转录、晚期表达的基因.3h-38基因的生物学信息分析和转录表达时相检测为进一步研究该蛋白的功能和特性奠定了基础.     

烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3h株编码的3H-117蛋白能干扰AcMNPV的口服活性

[目的]囊泡病毒是一类体液传播的昆虫病毒,具有特殊的致病历程和良好的生防应用潜力.烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3h株(Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h,HvAV-3h)是我国分离的第一株囊泡病毒,其编码的3H-117蛋白被报道为HvAV-3h病毒粒子的结构蛋白.[方法]为了进一步探究3h-117基因...     

Effects of Heliothis virescens ascovirus (HvAV-3e) on a novel host, Crocidolomia pavonana (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Ascoviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses which cause fatal disease in lepidopteran host larvae. They induce a unique pathology, causing cleavage of host cells into virion-containing vesicles. With the single exception of Diadromus pulchellus ascovirus, all ascoviruses have been exclusively reported from the Noctuidae. To investigate whether Heliothis virescens AV (HvAV-3e) has a broader host range at the family level, larvae of Crocidolomia pavonana F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a major pest of brassica crops in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Old World and Australasia, were inoculated with HvAV-3e. Larvae were readily infected by the ascovirus and feeding, growth and survival were significantly affected. However, the milky white discolouration of the haemolymph which is characteristic of ascovirus infection in noctuid hosts was not apparent. In further contrast to infected noctuid host larvae that do not develop to the pupal stage, a significant proportion of infected C. pavonana larvae pupated but all were killed at this stage. Thus, C. pavonana appears to be a semi-permissive host of the ascovirus, the presence of such hosts in the field might be an explanation for the conundrum for the ascovirus-noctuid-wasp relationship, helping explain the persistence of the ascovirus.     

中国棉铃虫核型多角体病毒几丁质酶基因的定位与克隆

以α３２ＰｄＡＴＰ标记含ＣｆＭＮＰＶ几丁质酶基因的重组质粒为探针,在６８℃条件下对棉铃虫单粒包埋核型多角体病毒（ＨａＳＮＰＶ）进行Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交,将ＨａＳＮＰＶ的几丁质酶基因分别定位在ＢａｍＨＩＥ、ＢｇｌⅡＥ、ＥｃｏＲＩＧ、ＨｉｎｄⅢＦ、ＸｂａＩＨ、ＢａｍＨＩ＋ＨｉｎｄＩＩＭ和ＢａｍＨＩ＋ＸｂａＩＨ,并以ｐＴＺ１９Ｒ为载体获得了ＸｂａＩＨ片段克隆。     

Differences in the midgut proteolytic activity of two Heliothis virescens strains,one susceptible and one resistant to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins

The development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxic proteins is a growing concern because it could threaten both conventional and gene transfer use of this environmentally safe biological insecticide. The most common mechanism of resistance involves changes in binding affinity of toxin receptors in the insect midgut membrane. This has not been the case in Heliothis virescens. We have investigated changes in midgut proteolytic activity as a possibility to explain the resistance observed in this insect species. We have developed an improvement of known methods to demonstrate proteolytic activity in crude extracts. Using this method we have found differences in the proteolytic activity profile of midgut extracts of a susceptible and a resistant H. virescens strain. We also have studied the in vitro processing of CrylA(b) toxin and protoxin by midgut contents of both strains. SDS-PAGE of the in vitro degradation products showed differences between the strains. The resistant strain degrades protoxin more slowly and processes the active toxin more quickly than the susceptible strain. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ductin, a component of the V-ATPase, is developmentally regulated in Heliothis virescens midgut, and anti-ductin antibodies label lateral membranes

We previously cloned from Heliothis virescens a 16-kDa protein that is homologous to other ductin sequences. We also reported its immunolocalization with a specific affinity-purified anti-peptide antibody in the midgut and Malpighian tubule of feeding larvae, and concluded that the cloned proteolipid encodes the V-ATPase proton-transporting subunit c from the V₀ sector. We now present the immunolocalization of this protein in the midgut during the L₄-L₅ larval molt and early post-ecdysis into the fifth instar in H. virescens. The results show that the spatial expression of the 16-kDa protein is developmentally regulated. Labeling by anti-peptide antibody varies during the molt in the midgut goblet cell apical plasma membrane and the goblet cell apical valve. Epifluorescence and confocal microscopy revealed strong anti-ductin labeling in areas of cell-to-cell contact during the molt, and during early post-ecdysis into the fifth larval instar. The characteristic labeling pattern observed in areas of cell-to-cell contact is consistent with the claimed involvement of ductins in gap junctions. Conclusive evidence for the presence of the 16-kDa protein in areas of cell-to-cell contact in the midgut of feeding larvae is, however, lacking. V-ATPase regulation during the molt was also investigated by simultaneous immunohistochemistry with an anti-B subunit antiserum, a probe for the V₁ sector. Received: 2 April 1996 / Accepted: 14 November 1996     

Genetic variation and virulence of nucleopolyhedroviruses isolated worldwide from the heliothine pests Helicoverpa armigera, Helicoverpa zea, and Heliothis virescens

To assess the diversity and relationships of baculoviruses found in insects of the heliothine pest complex, a PCR-based method was used to classify 90 samples of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV; Baculoviridae: Alphabaculovirus) obtained worldwide from larvae of Heliothis virescens, Helicoverpa zea, and Helicoverpa armigera. Partial nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of three highly conserved genes (lef-8, lef-9, and polh) indicated that 67 of these samples contained isolates of the H. zea-H. armigera single nucleopolyhedrovirus (Hz/HaSNPV) species group. Eighteen of the samples contained isolates of a multiple NPV from H. armigera, HearMNPV, and five of the samples contained isolates of Autographa californica MNPV (AcMNPV). Sequencing and analysis of an additional seven loci (orf5/orf5b, hr3-orf62, orf26, orf79, orf124/orf117a, orf42, and a part of the region between hr2 and hr3) in the Hz/HearSNPV isolates further classified these viruses into two groups of HearSNPV variants mostly from India and China and a third group of HzSNPV variants. Some of the samples contained isolates of more than one virus. In bioassays of a selection of isolates against H. zea, the commercially available Gemstar® isolate of HzSNPV killed larvae faster than most other Hz/HaSNPV and HearMNPV isolates. Gemstar® and two HearMNPV isolates exhibited significantly higher LC₅₀s than the Hz/HearSNPV isolates tested. This study expands significantly on what we know about the variation of heliothine NPV populations, provides novel information on the distinct groups in which these NPVs occur, and contributes to the knowledge required for improvement of heliothine baculoviruses as biological control agents.     

C19orf66 Inhibits Japanese Encephalitis Virus Replication by Targeting -1 PRF and the NS3 Protein

Virologica Sinica - The Japanese encephalitis serogroup of the neurogenic Flavivirus has a specific feature that expresses a non-structural protein NS1′ produced through a programmed -1...     

同源重组法制备口蹄疫病毒多基因重组腺病毒

通过细菌内同源重组的方法成功构建了含有O型口蹄疫病毒P1-2A和3C蛋白酶基因和3D基因的重组腺病毒表达载体.首先将P1-2A、3C和3D基因亚克隆连接到穿梭质粒pShuttle-CMV上,再将重组穿梭质粒用PmeI线性化后电转化携带有腺病毒骨架载体pAdeasy-1的大肠杆菌BJ5183感受态菌,经细菌内同源重组产生pAdcmv-p12x3c和pAdcmv-p12x3cd重组腺病毒质粒,经序列测定证实目的基因已正确的插入到腺病毒骨架载体中.重组腺病毒质粒经PacI线性化后转染HEK293细胞,转染1w内细胞出现典型病变.取转染细胞裂解液上清连续传代至第4代时,细胞于24~48h内即病变完全,收取接毒后24h细胞进行PCR和RT-PCR检测,表明目的基因已整合到腺病毒基因组内,且在mRNA水平上有表达.取第4、6、8和10代病毒,用蛋白酶K处理后可扩增出目的基因,证明此重组病毒可稳定存在.本研究为FMDV腺病毒活载体疫苗的研究奠定了基础.     

同源重组法制备口蹄疫病毒多基因重组腺病毒

通过细菌内同源重组的方法成功构建了含有O型口蹄疫病毒P1—2A和3C蛋白酶基因和3D基因的重组腺病毒表达载体。首先将P1—2A、3C和3D基因亚克隆连接到穿梭质粒pShuttle—CMV上,再将重组穿梭质粒用PmeI线性化后电转化携带有腺病毒骨架载体pAdeasy—1的大肠杆菌BJ5183感受态菌,经细菌内同源重组产生pAdcmv—p12x3c和pAdcmy—p12x3cd重组腺病毒质粒,经序列测定证实目的基因已正确的插入到腺病毒骨架载体中。重组腺病毒质粒经PacI线性化后转染HEK293细胞,转染1w内细胞出现典型病变。取转染细胞裂解液上清连续传代至第4代时,细胞于24～48h内即病变完全,收取接毒后24h细胞进行。PCR和RT—PCR检测,表明目的基因已整合到腺病毒基因组内,且在mRNA水平上有表达。取第4、6、8和10代病毒,用蛋白酶K处理后可扩增出目的基因,证明此重组病毒可稳定存在。本研究为FMDV腺病毒活载体疫苗的研究奠定了基础。     

Proapoptotic Activities of Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI) and PDIA3 Protein,a Role of the Bcl-2 Protein Bak

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family proteins are classified as enzymatic chaperones for reconstructing misfolded proteins. Previous studies have shown that several PDI members possess potential proapoptotic functions. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of PDI-mediated apoptosis are not completely known. In this study, we investigated how two members of PDI family, PDI and PDIA3, modulate apoptotic signaling. Inhibiting PDI and PDIA3 activities pharmacologically alleviates apoptosis induced by various apoptotic stimuli. Although a decrease of PDIA3 expression alleviates apoptotic responses, overexpression of PDIA3 exacerbates apoptotic signaling. Importantly, Bak, but not Bax, is essential for PDIA3-induced proapoptotic signaling. Furthermore, both purified PDI and PDIA3 proteins induce Bak-dependent, but not Bax-dependent, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in vitro, probably through triggering Bak oligomerization on mitochondria. Our results suggest that both of PDI and PDIA3 possess Bak-dependent proapoptotic function through inducing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, which provides a new mechanism linking ER chaperone proteins and apoptotic signaling.     

A TGF‐β‐induced gene, βig‐h3, is crucial for the apoptotic disappearance of the medial edge epithelium in palate fusion

TGF‐β3, TβR‐I, and TGF‐β‐activated Smad2 has been suggested to be a series of signaling molecules for secondary palate fusion. In this article, we show that a gene induced by TGF‐β, βig‐h3, is coincidentally expressed with TGF‐β3 in medial edge epithelial (MEE) cells undergoing apoptosis during normal palatal fusion. βig‐h3 was also highly expressed in the areas of post‐weaning mammary gland cells and developing phalangeal joints in which TGF‐β3 or BMP‐4‐induced apoptosis occurs, respectively. Blocking of βig‐h3 expression in E12.5 embryos with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) resulted in cleft of the secondary palate in 84% of the treated mice that were born. Moreover, the antisense ODN treatment resulted in a failure of apoptosis in the MEE between palatal shelves in physical contact in organ culture. We conclude that βig‐h3 expression in the MEE is stimulated by TGF‐β3, causes cell death, and consequently results in complete fusion of the apposed palatal shelves. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 818–825, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

具有蛋白酶及解旋酶活性的HCV-NS3重组蛋白的纯化及活性分析

为深入探讨HCV-NS3蛋白的酶动力学性质,制备了具有蛋白酶及解旋酶活性的HCVNS3重组蛋白。利用PCR扩增HCV非结构基因NS3,插入pPIC9,测序分析。携带NS3基因的重组质粒(pPIC9-NS3)转化毕氏酵母菌菌株GS115,甲醇诱导表达NS3蛋白。重组蛋白首先采用Hitrap chelating柱进行亲和分离,之后使用Mono S HR柱进一步纯化。对纯化后的NS3重组蛋白的酶活性进行分析,结果表明,获得的重组蛋白分别具有蛋白酶及解旋酶活性。本研究为深入探讨NS3编码酶的功能和开发抗病毒药物创造条件。     

具有蛋白酶及解旋酶活性的HCV-NS3重组蛋白的纯化及活性分析

为深入探讨HCV-NS3蛋白的酶动力学性质,制备了具有蛋白酶及解旋酶活性的HCV NS3重组蛋白.利用PCR扩增HCV非结构基因NS3,插入pPIC9,测序分析.携带NS3基因的重组质粒(pPIC9-NS3)转化毕氏酵母菌菌株GS115,甲醇诱导表达NS3蛋白.重组蛋白首先采用Hitrap chelating柱进行亲和分离,之后使用Mono S HR柱进一步纯化.对纯化后的NS3重组蛋白的酶活性进行分析,结果表明,获得的重组蛋白分别具有蛋白酶及解旋酶活性.本研究为深入探讨NS3编码酶的功能和开发抗病毒药物创造条件.