Analysis of a baculovirus lacking a functional viral fibroblast growth factor homolog.
Baculoviruses encode fibroblast growth factor (vfgf) homologs whose function during virus infection is unknown. We constructed a recombinant bacmid of Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) lacking a functional vfgf and characterized it in two insect cell lines. The kinetics of budded virus production were similar in the parental and vfgf-deficient viruses in both cell lines at both high and low multiplicities of infection. In addition, no obvious differences were observed between the mutant and parental viruses in protein or DNA synthesis. Finally, coinfection of vfgf-containing and -deficient viruses and passage for several generations did not reveal a consistent growth advantage for either virus.
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, Division of Biology, 232 Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Chanitchote
C
Detvisitsakun
Erica L
EL
Hutfless
Marcelo F
MF
Berretta
A Lorena
AL
Passarelli
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004261:DNA Replication; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics; D017353:Gene Deletion; D009036:Moths; D017924:Nucleopolyhedroviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D018411:Spodoptera; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors