THE V-TREX GENE OF THE ANTICARSIA GEMMATALIS MULTICAPSID NUCLEOPOLYHEDROVIRUS ENCODES FOR A FUNCTIONAL THREE PRIME EXONUCLEASE.

Authors: SLACK, JEFFREY; RIBERIO, BERGMANN - BRASILIA -DF, BRAZIL; DE SOUZA, MARLINDA - EMBRAPA, BRAZIL; SHAPIRO, MARTIN

Submitted to: American Society for Virology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/2004
Publication Date: 10/1/2004
Citation: Slack, J.M., Riberio, B.D., De Souza, M.L., Shapiro, M. 2004. The v-trex gene of the anticarsia gemmatalis multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus encodes for a functional three prime exonuclease.. American Society for Virology Meeting. 85:2863-2871

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The v-trex gene of the Anticarsia gemmatalis Multicapsid Nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) is the first baculovirus gene to be described with homology to mammalian three prime repair exonucleases. There is evidence that v-trex may have been acquired from and invertebrate host. Choristoneura fumiferana MNPV (CfMNPV) is the only other baculovirus to have a complete v-trex homologue. The AgMNPV v-trex gene is an early gene that is expressed as early as 3h post infection. The AgMNPV v-trex gene was cloned into the baculovirus, Autographa californica MNPV under the regulation of the polyhedrin promoter. The resulting virus produced an abundant, soluble protein that migrated at the apparent size of 23.7 kDa. Soluble lysates contained three prime to five prime exonuclease activity that was at least 2000 fold above that of background. V-TREX exonuclease activity was inhibited by EDTA and was activated in the presence of Mg2+ and to a lesser degree, in the presence of Mn2+. V-TREX is most active at an alkaline pH. The v-trex gene product may be important in the context of baculovirus infection because it has the potential to be involved in virus recombination or UV light tolerance.