Genomic sequence analysis of a nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.

Authors: Harrison, Robert - Bob; Lynn, Dwight

Submitted to: American Society for Virology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/4/2007
Publication Date: 6/19/2007
Citation: Harrison, R.L., Lynn, D.E. 2007. Genomic sequence analysis of a nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from the diamondback moth (abstract). 2007 American Society for Virology Meeting abstract booklet, p. 259.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The CL3 plaque isolate of Plutella xylostella multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (PlxyMNPV-CL3) is a variant of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) but exhibits a much higher degree of virulence against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. To identify genetic differences between PlxyMNPV and AcMNPV that may account for the difference in virulence against P. xylostella, the genome sequence of PlxyMNPV-CL3 was determined and compared to the genome sequence of AcMNPV isolate C6. The PlxyMNPV genome is 134,417 bp, 523 bp larger than the AcMNPV-C6 genome, and is almost completely co-linear with that of AcMNPV-C6. The PlxyMNPV genome has two features previously reported for other variants of AcMNPV: (1) an extra baculovirus repeated orf (bro) sequence located between the plxy29/ac30 and sod ORFs, and (2) the deletion of the AcMNPV pnk/pnl polynucleotide kinase/ligase gene. In addition, an 817-bp insert located between the PlxyMNPV fp25K and lef-9 genes. This insert contains two small ORFs and can be detected in both tissue culture- and larval-derived PlxyMNPV DNA by PCR. Finally, the PlxyMNPV-CL3 ie2 gene encodes a product with only a low level (37.3%) of amino acid sequence identity with the AcMNPV-C6 predicted ie2 product. PlxyMNPV appears to have acquired this variant ie2 gene from an undescribed group I nucleopolyhedrovirus by homologous recombination.