The complete genome of a baculovirus isolated from an insect of medical interest: Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Abstract

Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is a species of medical importance due to the severity of reactions caused by accidental contact with the caterpillar bristles. Several natural pathogens have been identified in L. obliqua, and among them the baculovirus Lonomia obliqua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LoobMNPV). The complete genome of LoobMNPV was sequenced and shown to have 120,022 bp long with 134 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis of the LoobMNPV genome showed that it belongs to Alphabaculovirus group I (lepidopteran-infective NPV). A total of 12 unique ORFs were identified with no homologs in other sequenced baculovirus genomes. One of these, the predicted protein encoded by loob035, showed significant identity to an eukaryotic transcription terminator factor (TTF2) from the Lepidoptera Danaus plexippus, suggesting an independent acquisition through horizontal gene transfer. Homologs of cathepsin and chitinase genes, which are involved in host integument liquefaction and viral spread, were not found in this genome. As L. obliqua presents a gregarious behavior during the larvae stage the impact of this deletion might be neglectable.

Genomic sequencing of Troides aeacus nucleopolyhedrovirus (TraeNPV) from golden birdwing larvae (Troides aeacus formosanus) to reveal defective Autographa californica NPV genomic features

“…36 aa of overlap between the ORFs Ta106 / Ta107 and Ta5 / Ta6 . There were 37 conserved genes in all the baculovirus genomes, including the dipteran and hymenopteran baculoviruses [15–18], and all of these genes were found in the TraeNPV genome. Except in the TraeNPV genome, the Ac108 was found in all the alpha- and betabaculovirus genomes [19].…”

Impact of Lateral Transfers on the Genomes of Lepidoptera

“…Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated several ancient and recent insect cellular gene acquisitions by baculoviruses following HGT [ 107 , 108 ]. Some baculovirus genes, encoding proteins, such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolyase, protein tyrosine phosphatase, ecdysteroid UDP–glucosyltransferase, acetyltransferase, protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 15A, ribonucleotide reductase small subunit, or transcription terminator factor homologues, are most likely of lepidopteran origin [ 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 ]. Furthermore, baculoviruses and other large dsDNA viruses, such as entomopoxviruses, were shown to exchange genetic material between themselves [ 108 ].…”

Reads in a haystack: extracting complete mitogenome sequences hidden in baculovirus datasets

“…For example, the baculovirus Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV) has been the subject of significant research and development for use as a biological control agent against its homologous host, T. leucotreta. In recent years, complete genome sequences for several baculovirus species have been determined (Aragao-Silva et al, 2016;Jukes et al, 2016;Harrison et al, 2018;Marsberg et al, 2018;Trentin et al, 2019). When processing data generated by NGS platforms for baculovirus samples, most of the reads typically originate from the targeted virus, however, any non-target host, bacterial, viral, or other contaminating DNA present in samples will also be sequenced.…”