title: An alphabaculovirus isolated from dead Lymantria dispar larvae shows high genetic similarity to baculovirus previously isolated from Lymantria monacha - An example of adaptation to a new host.
abstract: A new isolate of baculovirus, Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus-BNP (LdMNPV-BNP), was found in dead gypsy moth (L. dispar) caterpillars collected in the Biebrzanski National Park in Poland. Here, we examined its biological activity, structure, genetic content and phylogeny. Multiple nucleocapsids of LdMNPV-BNP are enveloped together in 2-26 virions embedded in occluded bodies (OBs) very similar to the OBs previously described in viruses infecting Lymantriinae. This isolate kills pest larvae in a relatively short time (LT50 of approximately 9days for a dose of 2×10(7)OBs/ml), highlighting the possibility for its use as a biopesticide. Next-generation sequencing of LdMNPV-BNP revealed gene content (e.g. DNA photolyase) that is not present in any LdMNPV isolate sequenced to date. The genome is 157,270 base pairs long and has a notably lower G+C content in comparison to other LdMNPVs (50.3% G+C content compared to an average of 57.4% among other LdMNPVs). According to our phylogenetic analysis based on 37 core genes, LdMNPV-BNP is a member of group II alphabaculoviruses, which are closely related to LdMNPV and LyxyMNPV (Lymantria xylina multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus). Molecular evolution inference based on the partial sequence of lef-8, lef-9 and polh genes shows that LdMNPV-BNP and isolates of Lymantria monacha nucleopolyhedrovirus (LymoNPV) may share a very recent common ancestor or be isolates of the same virus species. LdMNPV-BNP, like other baculoviruses, could be beneficial as an active component of biopesticides that can be used during forest integrated pest management.
authors.affiliation: Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Abrahama Str. 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: lukasz.rabalski@biotech.ug.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rabalski
authors.affiliation: Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Abrahama Str. 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: martyna.krejmer@biotech.ug.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Martyna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krejmer-Rabalska
authors.affiliation: Forest Research Institute, Department of Forest Protection, Raszyn Braci Lesnej Str. 3, 05-090 Sekocin Stary, Poland. Electronic address: i.skrzecz@ibles.waw.pl.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Skrzecz
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Gdansk, Department of Biology and Genetics, Debinki Str. 1, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: bwasag@gumed.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wasag
authors.affiliation: Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Abrahama Str. 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: boguslaw.szewczyk@biotech.ug.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Boguslaw
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Szewczyk
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009036:Moths / Q000821:virology*; D017924:Nucleopolyhedroviruses / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
keywords: Alphabaculovirus; Lymantria dispar; Lymantria monacha; Photolyase; The gypsy moth; Virus adaptation