Comparative genomics of the Neodiprion sertifer nucleopolyhedrovirus from Turkey with the fewest ORFs among baculoviruses

AbstractThe complete genome of a European pine sawflyNeodiprion sertifer nucleopolyhedrovirus (NeseNPV-TR) was sequenced and characterized from next-generation sequencing data ofN. sertifer larva from T ürkiye. This genome was analyzed and compared to previously reported genomes of baculoviruses. The baculovirus phylogeny was reconstructed and the species identity of the NeseNPV-TR was delineated using K2P distance. The length of the genome was 82,052 bp, with a G + C content of 33.28%. It co ntained 83 putative ORFs, including 38 baculovirus core genes, three lepidopteran baculovirus core genes, and three non-conserved genes. It had fivehrs with 20.6% overall mean distance on average. The pairwise K2P distances oflef-8, lef-9, andpolh genes and combinations of three genes and 38 genes between NeseNPV-TR and NeseNPV were slightly higher than the specified threshold values for species demarcation. The most variable genes werelef-2,helicase,p40,desmoplakin,pif7, p6.9,vp91, andvp39, while the most conserved werelef-8,lef-9,odv-e18,pif2, andlef-5 among baculoviruses. The genome of NeseNPV-TR is smaller and contains the fewest ORFs among baculoviruses. Some of unassigned ORFs had conserved domains and hence, we suggest further investigation to determine their structural and functional roles. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed its position within genusGammabaculovirus. Taking into account the phylogenetic position, K2P distances, and NJ tree, the NeseNPV-TR can be classified in ...
Source: Virus Genes - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research