INTEGRATION OF INSECT VIRAL DNA INTO LYMANTRIA DISPAR (GYPSY MOTH) CELLULAR GENOME IN VITRO

Authors: Gundersen-Rindal, Dawn; MCKELVEY, TERRY - US PATENT OFFICE; Lynn, Dwight; STOLTZ, DONALD - DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY; Dougherty, Edward

Submitted to: BARC Poster Day
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Our laboratory has been interested in studying the molecular biology of a dsDNA insect virus that can infect Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth) in nature for two purposes. These are evaluating viral genetic processes, especially viral transformation, and exploring potentiality of this virus as an expression vector. Currently there are no satisfactory genetic transformation systems for insect pests of economic importance. Insect virus infection of L. dispar cell lines resulted in the stable transformation of a very high percentage of cells. A fraction (approximately 10%) of the virus genome appeared to be integrated into the cellular genome of the transformed cells, apparently at a single locus within the viral genome. Because of patent potential for developing a genetic transformation system for insect cells, specific information regarding the virus identity and insect cells is not given here. To evaluate the virus DNA integration event, clones were derived from the transformed L. dispar cellular DNA using lambda and plasmid cloning vectors. Clones containing insect viral DNA sequences were identified and analyzed by restriction digestion for the presence of flanking cellular sequences. Clones containing both viral and cellular DNA were sub-cloned and analyzed to determine specific nucleotide sequences required for virus integration.