Impact of deletion of the Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus PEP gene on viral potency: expression of the green fluorescent protein prevents larval liquefaction

Jim Slavicek; James M. Slavicek

doi:10.1006/bcon.1998.0668

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Impact of deletion of the Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus PEP gene on viral potency: expression of the green fluorescent protein prevents larval liquefaction

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Jim Slavicek, James M. Slavicek

Year:

1999

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1006/bcon.1998.0668

Source:

Biological Control. 14: 51-59.

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Abstract

The Lymantria dispar multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) is an effective biological control agent of the gypsy moth, L. dispar, but is not in general use because the high cost of production limits availability. In an effort to generate a more cost efficient LdMNPV biopesticide, two recombinant baculoviruses were generated to evaluate the impact of deleting the polyhedral envelope protein (PEP) gene on viral potency. One of these baculoviruses had the PEP gene inactivated by insertional mutagenesis with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene from Aequorea victoria (vGFP: PEP-); and the other contained a partial deletion of the PEP gene from the LdMNPV viral genome (vPEP-). Both recombinant baculoviruses produced polyhedra that were lacking a polyhedral envelope and displayed an unusually pitted surface as analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Keywords

baculovirus, Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus, Lymantria dispar, gypsy moth, polyhedral envelope protein

Citation

Bischoff, David S.; Slavicek, James M. 1999. Impact of deletion of the Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus PEP gene on viral potency: expression of the green fluorescent protein prevents larval liquefaction. Biological Control. 14: 51-59.