A densovirus of German cockroach Blatella germanica: detection,nucleotide sequence and genome organization

A new Blattella germanica densovirus (BgDNV, Parvoviridae: Densovirinae, Densovirus) was found. Virus DNA and cockroach tissues infected with BgDNV were examined by electron microscopy. Virus particles about 20 nm in diameter were observed both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Virus DNA proved to be a linear molecule sized about 1.2 microns. The complete BgDNV genome was sequenced and analyzed. Five ORF were detected: two coded for structural capsid proteins and were on one DNA strand, and three coded for regulatory proteins and were on the other strand. Potential promoters and polyadenylation signals were identified. Structural analysis was performed for terminal inverted repeats containing extended palindromes. The genome structure of BgDNV was compared with that of other Parvoviridae.