Vertical transmission of nucleopolyhedrovirus in the silkworm, Bombyx mori L

Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) was tested for vertical transmission in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Fifth instar larvae were exposed to four different dosages of BmNPV (830, 1300, 1800, and 2000OBs/larva) and a dosage of about 2000OBs/larva was found suitable for obtaining infected adults. Histopathological studies revealed the infection in susceptible tissues and organs initially, and at later stages of infection cycles the spermatocytes and nurse cells in the young oocytes were infected in the larval rudiments of testis and ovary, respectively. The mating of infected females with uninfected males resulted in significant reduction in fecundity (P < 0.01) and hatching of eggs (P < 0.001) due to transovarial transmission of BmNPV. Mating tests of uninfected females and infected males also confirmed venereal transmission as there was a significant reduction in hatching of eggs (P < 0.01). Further, among the F1 hybrid offspring (infected female x uninfected male) that were infected transovarially, larval progeny died at first and second instar stages, whereas those infected venereally developed acute lethal infection late and died by the end of third and fourth instar stage. PCR amplification and sequencing of 473bp of immediate early-1 (ie-1) gene of BmNPV isolated from the viral-infected parent and the F1 offspring confirmed that the viral infection is vertically transmitted to the progeny.     

Genotypic variation and presence of rare genotypes among Douglas-fir tussock moth multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpMNPV) isolates in British Columbia

The Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata) multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpMNPV) is periodically applied to suppress Douglas-fir tussock moth populations in British Columbia and in the western United States. The strain of OpMNPV in the product currently used for suppression is not genetically distinct from naturally occurring OpMNPV. To separate the mortality caused by the applied virus from that caused by the naturally occurring virus, a rare and genetically distinct strain of OpMNPV must be applied. To learn more about the genotypic diversity of OpMNPV populations in BC and to identify rare strains in this region, viral DNA was extracted from larvae reared from 208 field-collected egg masses found in five geographic regions of British Columbia and subjected to REN analysis. Nine, 12, and 9 different genotypes were detected using PstI, SalI, and HindIII, respectively. When the PstI, SalI, and HindIII profiles for each pure (single strain) isolate were grouped and considered as a combined PstI-SalI-HindIII genotype, 23 different genotypes were identified among 185 isolates. Nine rare OpMNPV genotypes were selected as ideal candidates for use as a potential 'marker strain' to accurately determine the efficacy of the treatment.     

How viruses access the nucleus

Many viruses depend on nuclear proteins for replication. Therefore, their viral genome must enter the nucleus of the host cell. In this review we briefly summarize the principles of nucleocytoplasmic transport, and then describe the diverse strategies used by viruses to deliver their genomes into the host nucleus. Some of the emerging mechanisms include: (1) nuclear entry during mitosis, when the nuclear envelope is disassembled, (2) viral genome release in the cytoplasm followed by entry of the genome through the nuclear pore complex (NPC), (3) capsid docking at the cytoplasmic side of the NPC, followed by genome release, (4) nuclear entry of intact capsids through the NPC, followed by genome release, and (5) nuclear entry via virus-induced disruption of the nuclear envelope. Which mechanism a particular virus uses depends on the size and structure of the virus, as well as the cellular cues used by the virus to trigger capsid disassembly and genome release. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Regulation of Signaling and Cellular Fate through Modulation of Nuclear Protein Import.     

Identification of a nucleopolyhedrovirus in winter moth populations from Massachusetts

Winter moth, Operophtera brumata, originally from Europe, has invaded eastern Massachusetts causing widespread defoliation and damage to many deciduous tree species and a variety of crop plants in the infested area. We identified O. brumata nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpbuNPV) in winter moth larvae collected from field sites in Massachusetts by using PCR to amplify a 482 bp region of the baculovirus polyhedrin gene. Viral sequences were also detected in winter moth pupae that failed to emerge, suggesting that these insects may have died as a result of viral infection. This represents the first report of OpbuNPV in winter moth populations in the US.     

Effects of stilbene optical brighteners on the insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis and a single nucleopolyhedrovirus on Helicoverpa armigera

The incorporation of certain stilbene optical brighteners into virus-based formulations has been demonstrated to increase viral pathogenicity (as indicated by reduced LD/LC₅₀ values) but their effect on Bacillus thuringiensis activity has been scarcely investigated. We determined the effect of nine optical brighteners on the insecticidal activity of B. thuringiensis ser. kurstaki HD-1 strain (Bt HD-1) on Helicoverpa armigera and also compared the effect of two optical brighteners on the insecticidal activity of Bt HD-1 and occlusion bodies (OBs) of a Spanish isolate of H. armigera single nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV-SP1). Blankophor CLE, Blankophor DRS, Blankophor ER, and Leucophor SAC significantly increased the pathogenicity of Bt HD-1. In contrast, Tinopal UNPA-GX, Tinopal CBS, Blankophor BA, Leucophor AP, and Leucophor UO had an adverse or no effect on its insecticidal activity. Mixtures of HearNPV-SP1 OBs with Tinopal UNPA-GX or Leucophor UO resulted in 31.4- and 11.4-fold increases in pathogenicity, respectively, at 1%, and 11.4- and 6.3-fold increases in pathogenicity, respectively, at 0.1%, compared to the OBs alone. However, none of these brighteners increased Bt HD-1 activity. These results appear consistent with the hypothesis that the enhancement of HearNPV-SP1 pathogenicity and the null or antagonistic effects observed in Bt HD-1 against H. armigera were due to optical brightener-mediated degradation of the peritrophic membrane, but additional systematic studies involving a broad range of brighteners and electron microscope observations are required to confirm this premise.     

斜纹夜蛾核多角体病毒几丁质酶基因上游4.0kb的序列分析

本文报道了斜 诳蛾核多角体病毒几丁质酶基因（chiA）上游约4.0kb范围内的序列,它包括了六个读码框（ORF1－6）,其长度分别为156bp、279bp、540bp、369bp、1281bp和228bp,可编码的氨基酸长度分别为51、98、179、122、426和75个,分子量分别为6.15kD、11.46kD、21.70kD、14.69kD 、47.59kD和9.09kD。在ORF1ORF2、ORF3起始密码前分别有一个、二个及一个杆状病毒早期启动子基序CAGT;在ORF4、ORF5起始密码前各有一个及二个杆状病毒晚期启动子基序TAAG。在ORF1、ORF4、ORF5终止密码下游有真核生物mRNA转录poly（A)加尾信号。ORF4为AcMNPV ORF53、BmNPV ORF42、OpMNPV ORF56、LdMNPV ORF54的同源基因。ORF1、ORF2、ORF6与已知的杆状病毒基因沿有同源性,可能为三个新的基因。     

棉铃虫单核衣壳核多角体病毒(HaSNPV)Hind III-L片段的序列分析

本文报道了棉铃虫单核衣壳核多角体病毒 (Helicoverpaarmigerasingle nucleocapsidnucleopolyhedrovirus,HaSNPV)基因组的HindIII L片段的全序列。该片段全长 2 6 35bp ,包括 5个有意义的开放阅读框 :HaSNPVORF2 2 7,晚期表达因子 10基因 (lef10 ) ,vp10 5 4基因 ,Ac5 5 (AcMNPVORF5 5的同源基因 ) ,Ac5 6 (AcMNPVORF5 6的同源基因 )。与其它 6种杆状病毒的氨基酸序列比较表明 ,HaSNPV的lef10基因与甜菜夜蛾核型多角体病毒 (SeMNPV)的同源性最高 ,为6 4 % ,与冷杉毒蛾核型多角体病毒 (OpMNPV)的同源性最低 ,为 4 3% ;HaSNPV的vp10 5 4基因与SeMNPV的同源性最高 ,为 6 5 % ,与OpMNPV的同源性最低 ,为 4 9%。序列比较表明 ,HaSNPV的LEF10与VP10 5 4蛋白与其它 6种杆状病毒具有相同的保守区和亮氨酸拉链 (leucinezipper)     

棉铃虫单核衣壳核多角体病毒(HaSNPV)Hind Ⅲ-L片段的序列分析

本文报道了棉铃虫单核衣壳核多角体病毒(Helicoverpa armigera single-nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus,HaSNPV)基因组的HindⅢ-L片段的全序列.该片段全长2 635bp,包括5个有意义的开放阅读框HaSNPV ORF227,晚期表达因子10基因(lef10),vp1054基因,Ac55(AcMNPV ORF55的同源基因),Ac56(AcMNPV ORF56的同源基因).与其它6种杆状病毒的氨基酸序列比较表明,HaSNPV的lef10基因与甜菜夜蛾核型多角体病毒(SeMNPV)的同源性最高,为64%,与冷杉毒蛾核型多角体病毒(OpMNPV)的同源性最低,为43%;HaSNPV的vp1054基因与SeMNPV的同源性最高,为65%,与OpMNPV的同源性最低,为49%.序列比较表明,HaSNPV的LEF10与VP1054蛋白与其它6种杆状病毒具有相同的保守区和亮氨酸拉链(1eucine zipper)     

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.