title: Characterization of AcMNPV with a deletion of me53 gene.
abstract: The Autographa Californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) me53 gene, which was previously reported as one of the major early-transcribed genes, was deleted through homologous recombination from an AcMNPV genome propagated as a bacmid DNA in E. coli, generating a me53 gene knockout bacmid. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression analysis and supernatant passage assay revealed that the me53 knockout bacmid was unable to replicate in cell culture, while me53 repair bacmid, which was generated by reinsertion of the me53 gene into the mutant at a different locus (the gentamicin locus) with ET-recombination technique, resumed viral replication ability at wild-type levels, indicating that the defective phenotype of the me53 knockout virus was directly due to the deletion of the me53-ORF. Subsequent electron microscopy revealed that the me53 knockout bacmid failed to form nucleocapsid in the nuclei of the transfected cells, though viral infection seemed to be initiated. Meanwhile, real-time PCR analysis based on SYBR Green fluorescence indicated abolishment of the viral DNA replication by me53 gene inactivation. Thus, it is demonstrated for the first time that me53 knockout blocked viral DNA replication, nucleocapsid formation, and consequent BV and ODV production.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. wxz@sysu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Qianyun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Jinwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Riqiang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Xunzhang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D017924:Nucleopolyhedroviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018411:Spodoptera; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: C079184:Ac-ME53 protein, Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins