title: The genome sequence of Pseudoplusia includens single nucleopolyhedrovirus and an analysis of p26 gene evolution in the baculoviruses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pseudoplusia includens single nucleopolyhedrovirus (PsinSNPV-IE) is a baculovirus recently identified in our laboratory, with high pathogenicity to the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Walker, 1858). In Brazil, the C. includens caterpillar is an emerging pest and has caused significant losses in soybean and cotton crops. The PsinSNPV genome was determined and the phylogeny of the p26 gene within the family Baculoviridae was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The complete genome of PsinSNPV was sequenced (Roche 454 GS FLX - Titanium platform), annotated and compared with other Alphabaculoviruses, displaying a genome apparently different from other baculoviruses so far sequenced. The circular double-stranded DNA genome is 139,132 bp in length, with a GC content of 39.3 % and contains 141 open reading frames (ORFs). PsinSNPV possesses the 37 conserved baculovirus core genes, 102 genes found in other baculoviruses and 2 unique ORFs. Two baculovirus repeat ORFs (bro) homologs, bro-a (Psin33) and bro-b (Psin69), were identified and compared with Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus (ChchNPV) and Trichoplusia ni single nucleopolyhedrovirus (TnSNPV) bro genes and showed high similarity, suggesting that these genes may be derived from an ancestor common to these viruses. The homologous repeats (hrs) are absent from the PsinSNPV genome, which is also the case in ChchNPV and TnSNPV. Two p26 gene homologs (p26a and p26b) were found in the PsinSNPV genome. P26 is thought to be required for optimal virion occlusion in the occlusion bodies (OBs), but its function is not well characterized. The P26 phylogenetic tree suggests that this gene was obtained from three independent acquisition events within the Baculoviridae family. The presence of a signal peptide only in the PsinSNPV p26a/ORF-20 homolog indicates distinct function between the two P26 proteins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PsinSNPV has a genomic sequence apparently different from other baculoviruses sequenced so far. The complete genome sequence of PsinSNPV will provide a valuable resource, contributing to studies on its molecular biology and functional genomics, and will promote the development of this virus as an effective bioinsecticide.
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, 70770-917, Brasília, DF, Brazil. saluanarocha@gmail.com.|Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília-UnB, Brasília, DF, Brazil. saluanarocha@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saluana R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Craveiro
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, 70770-917, Brasília, DF, Brazil. peterwinglis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Inglis
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, 70770-917, Brasília, DF, Brazil. roberto.togawa@embrapa.br.
authors.forename: Roberto C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Togawa
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, 70770-917, Brasília, DF, Brazil. priscila.grynberg@embrapa.br.
authors.forename: Priscila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grynberg
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília-UnB, Brasília, DF, Brazil. flucasmelo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fernando L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, 70770-917, Brasília, DF, Brazil. zilda.ribeiro@embrapa.br.
authors.forename: Zilda Maria A
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília-UnB, Brasília, DF, Brazil. bergmann.ribeiro@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bergmann M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília-UnB, Brasília, DF, Brazil. snbao2009@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sônia N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Báo
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, 70770-917, Brasília, DF, Brazil. elita.castro@embrapa.br.
authors.forename: Maria Elita B
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics*; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D017924:Nucleopolyhedroviruses / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015683:Gene Products, gag