Genome of invertebrate iridescent virus type 3 (mosquito iridescent virus)

Iridoviruses (IVs) are classified into five genera: Iridovirus and Chloriridovirus, whose members infect invertebrates, and Ranavirus, Lymphocystivirus, and Megalocytivirus, whose members infect vertebrates. Until now, Chloriridovirus was the only IV genus for which a representative and complete genomic sequence was not available. Here, we report the genome sequence and comparative analysis of a field isolate of Invertebrate iridescent virus type 3 (IIV-3), also known as mosquito iridescent virus, currently the sole member of the genus Chloriridovirus. Approximately 20% of the 190-kbp IIV-3 genome was repetitive DNA, with DNA repeats localized in 15 apparently noncoding regions. Of the 126 predicted IIV-3 genes, 27 had homologues in all currently sequenced IVs, suggesting a genetic core for the family Iridoviridae. Fifty-two IIV-3 genes, including those encoding DNA topoisomerase II, NAD-dependent DNA ligase, SF1 helicase, IAP, and BRO protein, are present in IIV-6 (Chilo iridescent virus, prototype species of the genus Iridovirus) but not in vertebrate IVs, likely reflecting distinct evolutionary histories for vertebrate and invertebrate IVs and potentially indicative of genes that function in aspects of virus-invertebrate host interactions. Thirty-three IIV-3 genes lack homologues in other IVs. Most of these encode proteins of unknown function but also encode IIV3-053L, a protein with similarity to DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit 7; IIV3-044L, a putative serine/threonine protein kinase; and IIV3-080R, a protein with similarity to poxvirus MutT-like proteins. The absence of genes present in other IVs, including IIV-6; the lack of obvious colinearity with any sequenced IV; the low levels of amino acid identity of predicted proteins to IV homologues; and phylogenetic analyses of conserved proteins indicate that IIV-3 is distantly related to other IV genera.     

Lack of evidence for an association between Iridovirus and colony collapse disorder

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is characterized by the unexplained losses of large numbers of adult worker bees (Apis mellifera) from apparently healthy colonies. Although infections, toxins, and other stressors have been associated with the onset of CCD, the pathogenesis of this disorder remains obscure. Recently, a proteomics study implicated a double-stranded DNA virus, invertebrate iridescent virus (Family Iridoviridae) along with a microsporidium (Nosema sp.) as the cause of CCD. We tested the validity of this relationship using two independent methods: (i) we surveyed healthy and CCD colonies from the United States and Israel for the presence of members of the Iridovirus genus and (ii) we reanalyzed metagenomics data previously generated from RNA pools of CCD colonies for the presence of Iridovirus-like sequences. Neither analysis revealed any evidence to suggest the presence of an Iridovirus in healthy or CCD colonies.     

The biology of Chilo iridescent virus

Chilo iridescent virus (CIV) is the type species for genus Iridovirus, and belongs to the family Iridoviridae. Since the discovery of CIV in 1966, many attempts were made to elucidate the viral genome structure. The virions contain a single linear ds DNA molecule that is circularly permuted and terminally redundant. The genome of CIV has been entirely sequenced. The CIV virion consists of an unusual three-layer structure containing an outer proteinaceous capsid, an intermediate lipid membrane, and a core DNA-protein complex containing the genome. CIV has a broad host spectrum and has, in general, a limited mortality effect on its hosts. Up to now there have been several studies about CIV describing its structure, ecology, and molecular biology. In this review study we present all these studies together to describe the CIV.     

Discovering new insect viruses: whitefly iridovirus (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae: Bemisia tabaci)

Adult whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), collected from the field were screened for viral pathogens using a cell line from the silverleaf whitefly, B. tabaci, B biotype (syn. B. argentifolii). Homogenates from the field-collected whiteflies were applied to cell cultures and checked for cytopathic effects (CPE). Cells were observed to develop cytoplasmic inclusions and to have a change in morphology. Cells displaying CPE were observed using a transmission electron microscope and found to be infected with a virus. The virus particles had an icosahedral shape and an approximate size of 120-130 nm. The virus was observed in defined areas of the cytoplasm adjacent to the cell nucleus. Analysis using polymerase chain reaction, Southern blot hybridization, and DNA sequencing confirmed that the virus discovered infecting the whitefly cell cultures was an iridovirus. Sequence analysis showed that the amplimer (893 bp) had a 95% homology to the invertebrate iridescent virus type 6 major capsid protein gene. Discovery of new viruses of whiteflies may provide renewed interest in using pathogens in the development of innovative management strategies. This is the first report of an iridescent virus isolated from whiteflies, B. tabaci, collected from the field.     

Restriction endonuclease mapping of the hepatitis B viral genome isolated from Taiwan

The Eco RI fragment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA isolated from human blood plasma Dane particles were inserted into plasmid pUC8 Eco RI site and transformed into E. coli JM103 host. Two recombinants pTWL1 and pTWL2 were found to carry 3.2 kbp fragment and proved to have HBV genome by Southern hybridization method. The 1.4 kbp Bam HI fragment which carried the hepatitis B viral surface antigen (HBsAg) gene, obtained via Bam HI digestion of Dane particles DNA which was made fully double stranded by endogenous DNA polymerase reaction, was also inserted into plasmid pUC8 Bam HI site. Four recombinant clones, pTWS1, pTWS2, pTWS3, and pTWS4 were found. Only one of the clones pTWS1 carried the HBsAg gene in a correct orientation with respect to the lac promoter sequence. The physical mapping of HBV DNA was performed with several restriction endonucleases. Our results indicated that the HBV DNA insert contains unique XbaI and HpaI cleavage sites and lacks the cleavage sites for the HindIII, SmaI, KpnI, SalI, and SstI endonucleases. The locations of Bam HI, BglII, and HincII endonucleases cleavage sites within the cloned HBV DNA of the pTWL1 plasmid were similar to that HBV DNA of adw and adw2 subtypes.     

Per os transmission of iridescent virus of Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

In per os transmission of iridescent virus (IV), the first signs of infection are small iridescent patches in the prolegs, clypeus, labrum, and intersegmental membranes. Per os exposure of neonatal larvae to IV produced 18–40% infection. Per os exposure of 5- and 9-day-old larvae produced 11–47% and 10–30% infection, respectively. A few larvae with a patent infection pupated; however, none reached the adult stage. Infected larvae remained in the larval stage up to 89 days, compared to 12–21 days for normal larvae. Transovum or transovarian transmission was not detected. Examination of fat body, silk glands, and muscles of infected larvae by electron microscopy confirmed the presence of numerous intracytoplasmic virus particles. The mean particle diameter of hexagonal profiles within viral paracrystals was 118±3.5 nm.     

患病中国大鲵中分离到一株虹彩病毒及其特性的研究

从陕西某大鲵养殖场患病的大鲵体内分离到一株病毒。患病大鲵以体表溃疡,特别是肢体远端溃烂为主要临床特征。该病毒于10℃~30℃能在BF-2(Caudal trunk cells of blue-gillfry)、CO(Gorad cells of grass carp)、CHSE(Embryo cells of Chinook salmon)、FHM(cells of fathed minnow)等细胞中较好地增殖,最适生长温度为25℃~30℃。病毒对氯仿、热、pH3、pH10敏感,DNA抑制剂5-氟-2′-脱氧尿苷(5-fluro-2-′deoxyuridine,FUDR)能抑制病毒在细胞中的增殖,提示该病毒是有囊膜的DNA病毒。经电镜观察,在感染了病毒的细胞切片中可见到大量直径约130~150 nm有囊膜的六角形病毒颗粒成晶格排列在细胞质里,病毒呈典型的虹彩病毒形态。抽提病毒核酸后进行PCR扩增,用已知蛙病毒主要衣壳蛋白(MCP)基因的保守序列设计的引物能扩增出431bp的片段。扩增的片段测序后,和已知的几种蛙病毒属成员的主要衣壳蛋白基因中的相应片段进行比对,相似性在96%以上。血清学试验结果显示该病毒和IPNV(Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus,IPNV)、GCRV(Grass carp reovirus,GCRV)、SVCV(Spring viraemia of carp virus,SVCV)I、HNV(Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus,IHNV)在血清学上没有相关性。以上结果提示该病毒可能是虹彩病毒科蛙病毒属的成员,暂时命名为大鲵虹彩病毒(Andrias davidianus iridovirus,ADIV)。该病毒与大鲵发病的关系有待进一步研究。     

Development of DNA diagnostic methods for the detection of new fish iridoviral diseases

A new disease of epidemic proportions caused by fish viruses within the Iridoviridae family inflicts serious damage on red sea breams (Pagrus major) and striped jack (Caranx delicatissimus) populations grown in aquacultures in Japan. A partial segment of the fish iridoviral DNA was directly amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with synthetic primers designed from well conserved nucleotide sequences between the frog virus 3 (Ranavirus) and the silkworm iridescent virus type 6. The deduced amino acid sequence from the nucleotide sequence of the PCR fragment demonstrates a high correlation with a partial sequence from the frog virus 3. Using the PCR method with specific primers, we could detect three of four different known types of fish iridoviruses in diseased fishes. To construct more reliable detection methods specific for this viral family, DNA fragments which can specifically hybridize with all of the four known iridoviridae viral DNAs were screened from the genomic library of one iridoviridae strain. The hybridization assay, using a specific fragment which contains regions which are highly homologous with a characterized partial sequence from the frog virus 3, proved to be a reliable diagnostic tool for fish iridoviral diseases.     

Characterization of a new densovirus infecting the green peach aphid Myzus persicae

A new icosahedral DNA virus was isolated from aphids (Myzus persicae) that showed abnormal growth and development. The purified virus particles have a diameter of 20 nm and contain a single-stranded DNA molecule of approximately 5.7 kb. The viral particles are composed of five structural proteins (92, 85, 68, 64, and 57 kDa). As the main biophysical properties of this virus are similar to those of the members of the genus Densovirus it was tentatively named Myzus persicae densovirus (MpDNV). A PCR-based detection method and a polyclonal antiserum raised against MpDNV allowed the detection of the virus in a single-infected aphid. MpDNV is immunologically related to Junonia coenia densovirus, but not to other members of the subfamily Densovirinae. Biological assays showed that MpDNV could be both transmitted transovarially and horizontally via honeydew and saliva. MpDNV was able to infect whiteflies but not other aphid species tested.     

An iridescent virus of the bollworm Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

Larvae of Heliothis zea exhibiting iridescent lavender-blue, blue, blue-green color were obtained in spring field collections in host plants on a road right-of-way in Bolivar County, Mississippi. An iridescent virus was isolated and purified from these larvae. Size range of the virus was 131 to 160 nm, with a mean ± SD of 145 ± 6.5. The nucleic acid content was: DNA, 13.97 ± 1.58% (0.139 μg of DNA/mg of viral protein); RNA, none. Experimental infection was not achieved per os, but the virus was highly virulent by intrahemocoelic injection. The virus from larvae killed in this way was of the same size and morphology as that obtained in the initial isolation.     

Characterization of a novel ranavirus isolated from grouper Epinephelus tauvina

A large icosahedral virus was isolated from diseased grouper Epinephelus tauvina. The virus grew well in several cultured fish cell lines, with stable and high infectivity after serial passages in grouper cell line (GP). The virus was sensitive to both acid and heat treatments. Virus replication was inhibited by 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IUDR), indicative of a DNA-containing genome. The virus infectivity was reduced with ether treatment, suggesting that the virus was lipid-enveloped. Electron micrographs showed abundant cytoplasmic icosahedral virons in the virus-infected GP cells. The size of the intracellular nucleocapsid was 154 nm between the opposite sides, or 176 nm between the opposite vertices with an inner electron-dense core of 93 nm. Virus particles were released through budding from plasma membranes with a size of 200 nm in diameter. SDS-PAGE of purified virus revealed 20 structural protein bands and a major capsid protein (MCP) of 49 kDa. A DNA fragment of approximately 500 nucleotides was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers from conserved regions of the MCP gene of frog virus 3 (FV3), the type species of Ranavirus. Subsequent multiple alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly isolated grouper virus was closely related to largemouth bass virus (LMBV), FV3 and Regina ranavirus (RRV). Our data suggests that the virus isolate is a novel member of genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae. We tentatively name the virus as Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV). SGIV was able to cause serious systemic disease capable of killing 96% of grouper fry.     

Insulin Dominantly Suppresses Hepatitis B Virus Gene Expression in Cultured Human Hepatoma Cells

We have shown previously that insulin suppresses the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) gene from an endogenous integrated viral genome in cultured human hepatoma Hep3B cells. In this study, we demonstrated that insulin suppresses the viral mRNA transcribed from transiently transfected tandem repeat hepatitis B virus (HBV) dimer DNA or DNA fragment that contains only the major HBsAg gene. Insulin treatment also resulted in a decrease in HBV viral particles produced by the HBV-DNA-transfected cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, when insulin was simultaneously added with glucocorticoid, which stimulates HBV gene expression, the stimulatory effect of glucocorticoid was completely abolished. Our results suggest that insulin has a dominant negative effect on the HBV gene expression in cultured human liver cells.     

Evaluation of seven viral isolates as potential biocontrol agents against Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) caterpillars

The caterpillar Pseudoplusia includens (Walker, 1857) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), known as soybean looper, is a pest that has recently assumed greater importance in soybean in Brazil. Isolates of nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) of this pest have been identified from cotton in Guatemala and soybean farms in Brazil, providing an interesting perspective of potential use of viral insecticide against the insect in lieu to chemical insecticides. With the objective to contribute to the characterization studies of this virus, morphological and molecular analyses and biological activity were carried out with seven P. includens viral isolates (I-A to I-G). Electron microscopy of viral samples, purified from macerated infected larvae, showed particles with typical morphology of the Baculoviridae family, genus Alphabaculovirus (Nucleopolyhedrovirus - NPV) presenting virions with only a single nucleocapsid per envelope (SNPV) occluded in a protein matrix, forming occlusion bodies (OB). This virus was then classified as P. includens single nucleopolyhedrovirus (PsinSNPV). OB particles analyzed in SDS-polyacrylamide gel showed an intense band corresponding in size to NPV polyhedrin protein. DNA restriction profiles of the PsinSNPV isolates showed differences in the fragment size and number suggesting the existence of genotypic variants, except between I-E and I-F profiles that were similar. Among the isolates tested for infectivity against P. includens, I-A, I-E and I-F were the most virulent. Survival times (ST₅₀) varied according to viral concentration, with significant differences among isolates for the three higher concentrations.     

Oncogen localization in the DNA composition of simian adenoviruses. II. The identification in SV20 virus DNA of a specific fragment possessing transforming activity

Simian adenovirus 20 DNA was specifically cleavered by restriction endonucleases EcoRI, BamHI, XbaI and HindIII. The transformation activity of the DNA digest was investigated. BamHI, XbaI, and HindII DNA digests were able to transform the primary rat kidney cell culture (Wistar) as well as the native SV20 DNA. The transforming activity was revealed in a specific fragment of the viral DNA, obtained after the treatment of the DNA with BamHI (fragment B), with molecular weight 5.4 x 10(6) dalton. This fragment is located in the left end of the viral genome. The lack of cell transformation by the EcoRI-hydrolysate of viral DNA may serve a proof of the extremely left position of the oncogene in the viral genome, since of EcoRI-fragment chips off a fragment with molecular weight 3 x 10(5) dalton fr om the left side of DNA molecule.     

Identification and nucleotide sequence of the thymidine kinase gene of Shope fibroma virus.

The thymidine kinase (TK) gene of Shope fibroma virus (SFV), a tumorigenic leporipoxvirus, was localized within the viral genome with degenerate oligonucleotide probes. These probes were constructed to two regions of high sequence conservation between the vaccinia virus TK gene and those of several known eucaryotic cellular TK genes, including human, mouse, hamster, and chicken TK genes. The oligonucleotide probes initially localized the SFV TK gene 50 kilobases (kb) from the right terminus of the 160-kb SFV genome within the 9.5-kb BamHI-HindIII fragment E. Fine-mapping analysis indicated that the TK gene was within a 1.2-kb AvaI-HaeIII fragment, and DNA sequencing of this region revealed an open reading frame capable of encoding a polypeptide of 176 amino acids possessing considerable homology to the TK genes of the vaccinia, variola, and monkeypox orthopoxviruses and also to a variety of cellular TK genes. Homology matrix analysis and homology scores suggest that the SFV TK gene has diverged significantly from its counterpart members in the orthopoxvirus genus. Nevertheless, the presence of conserved upstream open reading frames on the 5' side of all of the poxvirus TK genes indicates a similarity of functional organization between the orthopoxviruses and leporipoxviruses. These data suggest a common ancestral origin for at least some of the unique internal regions of the leporipoxviruses and orthopoxviruses as exemplified by SFV and vaccinia virus, respectively.     

Tangential flow microfiltration and ultrafiltration for human influenza A virus concentration and purification

Large scale purification of viruses and viral vectors for gene therapy applications and viral vaccines is a major separation challenge. Here tangential flow microfiltration and ultrafiltration using flat sheet membranes has been investigated for concentration of human influenza A virus. Ultrafiltration membranes with molecular weight cutoffs of 100 and 300 kDa as well as 0.1, 0.2 and 0.45 microm microfiltration membranes have been tested. The results indicate that use of 300 kDa membranes not only concentrate the virus particles but also lead to a significant removal of host cell proteins and DNA in the permeate. Tangential flow filtration may be used to fractionate virus particles. Human influenza A virus particles are spherical with an average size of 100 nm. Use of a 0.1 microm membrane leads to passage of virus particles less than 100 nm into the permeate and an increase of larger particles in the retentate. These results suggest that control of the transmembrane pressure, membrane pore size and pore size distribution could enable isolation of intact virus particles from damaged virions. Isolation of the virus particles of interest from viral fragments and other particulate matter could result in simplification of subsequent purification steps. Larger pore size membranes such as 0.45 microm that allow the passage of all virus particles may be used to remove host cell fragments. In addition virus particles attached to these fragments will be removed. Careful selection of membrane morphology and operating conditions will be essential in order to maximize the benefit of tangential flow filtration steps in the purification of viral products from cell cultures.