Genetic diversity analysis of nucleopolyhedrovirus Anticarsia gemmatalis (AgMNPV) populations isolated in different geographic regions

Abstract

Baculoviruses have some biological features which are unique among DNA viruses: (i) two viral phenotypes (Budded virus and Occlusion-Derived Virus), which have distinct dynamics of infection and different virions morphologies (ii) virus particles occluded in protein matrix (polyhedra); (iii) a genome able to codificate more than a hundred ORFs. These, among others morphological and molecular aspects, make baculovirus a study model that arouses much interest, leading to discoveries which echo in many areas of the basic science, such as virology and molecular biology. Under the applied point of view, studies of the family Baculoviridae have produced important results on areas such as biotechnology (expression of heterologous proteins) and health (gene therapy). Nevertheless, in Brazil, it's in the agricultural sphere that baculoviruses have been shown to be effective pest control agents. The baculovirus Anticarsia gemmatalis Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) has been used since 80s as bioinseticide for control of soybean caterpillar (A. gemmatalis) on soybean crops. In 2006, in our laboratory, was sequenced the genome of the prototype AgMNPV-2D, the viral genotype used as viral bioinseticide. This project of genomic diversity analysis aims: (i) seeking for polymorphisms in codifying and sequences regulatory of gene expression; (ii) evaluating differences of composition and gene organization in the metapopulation of AgMNPV; (iii) identifying possible mechanisms of genomic variation among wild isolates; (iv) searching for new genes. For this purpose, 17 viral populations of AgMNPV from different times and geographic locations will have its genomes sequenced using next-generation technology of DNA sequencing (pyrosequencing). (AU)