The Melolontha melolontha entomopoxvirus fusolin protein is a chitin-active lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase that displays extreme stability.

Spindles are intracellular crystals of the fusolin protein that enhances the oral virulence of insect poxviruses by disruption of the larval chitinous peritrophic matrix. The enigmatic fusolin protein is classified as a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) by sequence and structure. Although circumstantial evidence points towards a role for fusolin in chitin degradation, no biochemical data exist to verify this claim. In the present study, we demonstrate that fusolin released from over 40-year-old spindles, stored for 10 years at 4 °C, are chitin-degrading LPMOs. Not only was fusolin active after long-term storage, but it also withstood high temperature and oxidative stress in its crystalline form, highlighting extreme stability that is beneficial to viral persistence and desirable for potential biotechnology applications.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Hytrosaviridae.

Hytrosaviridae is a family of large, rod-shaped, enveloped entomopathogenic viruses with dsDNA genomes of 120-190 kbp. Hytrosaviruses (also known as salivary gland hypertrophy viruses) primarily replicate in the salivary glands of adult dipteran flies. Hytrosaviruses infecting the haematophagous tsetse fly and the filth-feeding housefly are assigned to two genera, Glossinavirus and Muscavirus, respectively. Whereas muscavirus infections are only overt, glossinavirus infections can be either covert or overt. Overt infections are characterized by diagnostic salivary gland hypertrophy and cause either partial or complete infertility. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the family Hytrosaviridae, which is available at ictv.global/report/hytrosaviridae.

Structural features of the salivary gland hypertrophy virus of the tsetse fly revealed by cryo-electron microscopy and tomography.

Glossina palipides salivary gland hypertrophy virus (GpSGHV) infects tsetse flies, which are vectors for African trypanosomosis. This virus represents a major challenge in insect mass rearing and has hampered the implementation of the sterile insect technique programs in the Member States of the International Atomic Energy Agency. GpSGHV virions consist of long rod-shaped particles over 9000Å in length, but little is known about their detailed structural organization. We show by cryo electron microscopy and cryo electron tomography that the GpSGHV virion has a unique, non-icosahedral helical structure. Its envelope exhibits regularly spaced spikes that protrude from the lipid bilayer and are arranged on a four-start helix. This study provides a detailed insight into the 3D architecture of GpSGHV, which will help to understand the viral life cycle and possibly allow the design of antiviral strategies in the context of tsetse fly infections.

Reprint of: Diversity of small, single-stranded DNA viruses of invertebrates and their chaotic evolutionary past.

A wide spectrum of invertebrates is susceptible to various single-stranded DNA viruses. Their relative simplicity of replication and dependence on actively dividing cells makes them highly pathogenic for many invertebrates (Hexapoda, Decapoda, etc.). We present their taxonomical classification and describe the evolutionary relationships between various groups of invertebrate-infecting viruses, their high degree of recombination, and their relationship to viruses infecting mammals or other vertebrates. They share characteristics of the viruses within the various families, including structure of the virus particle, genome properties, and gene expression strategy.

Diversity of large DNA viruses of invertebrates.

In this review we provide an overview of the diversity of large DNA viruses known to be pathogenic for invertebrates. We present their taxonomical classification and describe the evolutionary relationships among various groups of invertebrate-infecting viruses. We also indicate the relationships of the invertebrate viruses to viruses infecting mammals or other vertebrates. The shared characteristics of the viruses within the various families are described, including the structure of the virus particle, genome properties, and gene expression strategies. Finally, we explain the transmission and mode of infection of the most important viruses in these families and indicate, which orders of invertebrates are susceptible to these pathogens.

Diversity of small, single-stranded DNA viruses of invertebrates and their chaotic evolutionary past.

A wide spectrum of invertebrates is susceptible to various single-stranded DNA viruses. Their relative simplicity of replication and dependence on actively dividing cells makes them highly pathogenic for many invertebrates (Hexapoda, Decapoda, etc.). We present their taxonomical classification and describe the evolutionary relationships between various groups of invertebrate-infecting viruses, their high degree of recombination, and their relationship to viruses infecting mammals or other vertebrates. They share characteristics of the viruses within the various families, including structure of the virus particle, genome properties, and gene expression strategy.

Multiple Introductions of Dengue 2 Virus Strains into Saudi Arabia from 1992 to 2014.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a significant arboviral infection that represents a major public health concern worldwide. The infection is endemic in most parts of South East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Among the four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes, DENV-2 has been reported to be the predominant serotype in Saudi Arabia since 1992. However, virological and epidemiological data of DENV-2 from Saudi Arabia are severely deficient and require further investigations. METHODS: Full genome sequencing of a recent DENV-2 isolate and phylogenetic analysis of all available DENV-2 sequences from Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Based on full genome and envelope (E) gene sequence, we show that a recent isolate (DENV-2-Jeddah-2014) belongs to the Indian subcontinent lineage of the Cosmopolitan genotype with close similarity to recent strains from Pakistan. Interestingly, the E gene sequence of DENV-2-Jeddah-2014 isolate was slightly divergent from those previously identified in Saudi Arabia between 1992 and 2004 with three to nine amino acid (aa) substitutions. While our data show that the Cosmopolitan genotype is still circulating in Saudi Arabia, they highlight four distinct genetic groups suggesting at least four independent introductions into the Kingdom. CONCLUSIONS: The close clustering of DENV-2 isolates reported from Saudi Arabia between 1992 and 2014 with strains from countries providing the highest numbers of pilgrims attending either Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages (Indonesia, Pakistan, India) clearly suggests a role for pilgrims or expatriates coming from DENV endemic countries in DENV-2 importation into Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, continuous monitoring of the circulation of DENVs in Saudi Arabia must be implemented to undertake effective control and management strategies in the Kingdom. Screening of the pilgrims coming to perform Hajj and Umrah might help prevent the introduction of new DENV strains, which is expected to increase the burden of the disease not only in Saudi Arabia but also in other countries.

Comprehensive annotation of Glossina pallidipes salivary gland hypertrophy virus from Ethiopian tsetse flies: a proteogenomics approach.

Glossina pallidipes salivary gland hypertrophy virus (GpSGHV; family Hytrosaviridae) can establish asymptomatic and symptomatic infection in its tsetse fly host. Here, we present a comprehensive annotation of the genome of an Ethiopian GpSGHV isolate (GpSGHV-Eth) compared with the reference Ugandan GpSGHV isolate (GpSGHV-Uga; GenBank accession number EF568108). GpSGHV-Eth has higher salivary gland hypertrophy syndrome prevalence than GpSGHV-Uga. We show that the GpSGHV-Eth genome has 190 291 nt, a low G+C content (27.9 %) and encodes 174 putative ORFs. Using proteogenomic and transcriptome mapping, 141 and 86 ORFs were mapped by transcripts and peptides, respectively. Furthermore, of the 174 ORFs, 132 had putative transcriptional signals [TATA-like box and poly(A) signals]. Sixty ORFs had both TATA-like box promoter and poly(A) signals, and mapped by both transcripts and peptides, implying that these ORFs encode functional proteins. Of the 60 ORFs, 10 ORFs are homologues to baculovirus and nudivirus core genes, including three per os infectivity factors and four RNA polymerase subunits (LEF4, 5, 8 and 9). Whereas GpSGHV-Eth and GpSGHV-Uga are 98.1 % similar at the nucleotide level, 37 ORFs in the GpSGHV-Eth genome had nucleotide insertions (n = 17) and deletions (n = 20) compared with their homologues in GpSGHV-Uga. Furthermore, compared with the GpSGHV-Uga genome, 11 and 24 GpSGHV ORFs were deleted and novel, respectively. Further, 13 GpSGHV-Eth ORFs were non-canonical; they had either CTG or TTG start codons instead of ATG. Taken together, these data suggest that GpSGHV-Eth and GpSGHV-Uga represent two different lineages of the same virus. Genetic differences combined with host and environmental factors possibly explain the differential GpSGHV pathogenesis observed in different G. pallidipes colonies.

Structural basis for the enhancement of virulence by viral spindles and their in vivo crystallization.

The great benefits that chemical pesticides have brought to agriculture are partly offset by widespread environmental damage to nontarget species and threats to human health. Microbial bioinsecticides are considered safe and highly specific alternatives but generally lack potency. Spindles produced by insect poxviruses are crystals of the fusolin protein that considerably boost not only the virulence of these viruses but also, in cofeeding experiments, the insecticidal activity of unrelated pathogens. However, the mechanisms by which spindles assemble into ultra-stable crystals and enhance virulence are unknown. Here we describe the structure of viral spindles determined by X-ray microcrystallography from in vivo crystals purified from infected insects. We found that a C-terminal molecular arm of fusolin mediates the assembly of a globular domain, which has the hallmarks of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases of chitinovorous bacteria. Explaining their unique stability, a 3D network of disulfide bonds between fusolin dimers covalently crosslinks the entire crystalline matrix of spindles. However, upon ingestion by a new host, removal of the molecular arm abolishes this stabilizing network leading to the dissolution of spindles. The released monooxygenase domain is then free to disrupt the chitin-rich peritrophic matrix that protects insects against oral infections. The mode of action revealed here may guide the design of potent spindles as synergetic additives to bioinsecticides.

A Circo-Like Virus Isolated from Penaeus monodon Shrimps.

A virus with a circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) (CRESS-DNA) genome (PmCV-1) was isolated from Penaeus monodon shrimps in Vietnam. The gene structure of the 1,777-nucleotide (nt) genome was similar to that of circoviruses and cycloviruses, but the nucleic acid and protein sequence identities to these viruses were very low.

A Novel Ambisense Densovirus, Acheta domesticus Mini Ambidensovirus, from Crickets.

The genome structure of Acheta domesticus mini ambidensovirus, isolated from crickets, resembled that of ambisense densoviruses from Lepidoptera but was 20% smaller. It had the highest (<25%) protein sequence identity with the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) of Iteravirus and VP of Densovirus members (both with 25% coverage) and smaller (0.2- versus 0.55-kb) Y-shaped inverted terminal repeats.

Junonia coenia Densovirus (JcDNV) Genome Structure.

The sequence of Junonia coenia densovirus was the first densovirus genome sequence published, but the first published sequence contained incomplete inverted terminal repeats and ambiguous nucleotides or indels leading to an incorrect map of the open reading frames. Our sequencing of clones of the complete genome demonstrated that this virus is closely related to other viruses in the Densovirus genus.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Acheta domesticus Densovirus Isolates from Different Outbreaks in Europe, North America, and Japan.

The first densovirus from a cricket, Acheta domesticus densovirus (AdDNV) (Parvoviridae), was isolated in Europe in 1977 and has been studied previously. We compared seven additional AdDNV genomes isolated from 4 other European outbreaks, 2 major North American outbreaks, and a Japanese outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the 2009 Japanese and North American outbreaks were not related.

Expression strategy of Aedes albopictus densovirus.

The transcription map of the Aedes albopictus densovirus (AalDNV) brevidensovirus was identified by Northern blotting, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analysis, and RNase protection assays. AalDNV produced mRNAs of 3,359 (NS1), 3,345 (NS2), and 1,246 (VP) nucleotides. The two overlapping P7/7.4 NS promoters employed closely located alternate transcription initiation sites, positioned at either side of the NS1 initiation codon. All NS mRNAs coterminated with VP mRNA. All promoters, explored using luciferase assays, were functional in insect and human cell lines.

New Volvovirus Isolates from Acheta domesticus (Japan) and Gryllus assimilis (United States).

A novel circular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) virus, volvovirus, from the house cricket has been described recently. Here, we report the isolation of volvoviruses from Acheta domesticus in Japan and Gryllus assimilis in the United States. These Acheta domesticus volvovirus (AdVVV) isolates have genomes of 2,517 and 2,516 nucleotides (nt) and 4 large open reading frames (ORFs).

Analysis of the transcription strategy of the Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) genome.

The Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) has an ambisense genome with the structural (VP) and nonstructural (NS) genes located in the 5' half on opposite strands. Northern blot analysis of Ld652 cells and Spodoptera littoralis larvae transfected with plasmid pBRJ encompassing an infectious sequence of the JcDNV genome revealed three transcripts, an unspliced 2.5 kb VP mRNA encoding capsid proteins and two NS mRNAs, one unspliced 2.5 kb mRNA encoding NS3, the other of 1.7 kb resulting from the splicing out of the NS3 coding sequence and expressing NS1 and NS2. Mapping of the transcriptional start sites revealed that VP and NS transcripts start both at 32 nt downsream of the P9 and P93 TATA boxes, respectively. The VP mRNA has a very short (3 nt) 5' untranslated region whereas the NS mRNAs have 83 nt (unspliced) and 86nt (Spliced) 5' UTR. The VP and NS transcripts co-terminate in the middle of their respective strand and possess an overlapping sequence of 61 nt at their 3' termini. Analysis of the in vivo and in vitro translation products of VP mRNA clearly showed that the 4 capsid proteins are generated by a leaky scanning mechanism.

Acheta domesticus Volvovirus, a Novel Single-Stranded Circular DNA Virus of the House Cricket.

The genome of a novel virus of the house cricket consists of a 2,517-nucleotide (nt) circular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecule with 4 open reading frames (ORFs). One ORF had a low identity to circovirus nucleotide sequences (NS). The unique properties of this volvovirus suggested that it belongs to a new virus family or genus.

Improving Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for tsetse flies through research on their symbionts and pathogens.

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the cyclical vectors of the trypanosomes, which cause human African trypanosomosis (HAT) or sleeping sickness in humans and African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) or nagana in animals. Due to the lack of effective vaccines and inexpensive drugs for HAT, and the development of resistance of the trypanosomes against the available trypanocidal drugs, vector control remains the most efficient strategy for sustainable management of these diseases. Among the control methods used for tsetse flies, Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), in the frame of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM), represents an effective tactic to suppress and/or eradicate tsetse flies. One constraint in implementing SIT is the mass production of target species. Tsetse flies harbor obligate bacterial symbionts and salivary gland hypertrophy virus which modulate the fecundity of the infected flies. In support of the future expansion of the SIT for tsetse fly control, the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture implemented a six year Coordinated Research Project (CRP) entitled "Improving SIT for Tsetse Flies through Research on their Symbionts and Pathogens". The consortium focused on the prevalence and the interaction between the bacterial symbionts and the virus, the development of strategies to manage virus infections in tsetse colonies, the use of entomopathogenic fungi to control tsetse flies in combination with SIT, and the development of symbiont-based strategies to control tsetse flies and trypanosomosis. The results of the CRP and the solutions envisaged to alleviate the constraints of the mass rearing of tsetse flies for SIT are presented in this special issue.

Papilio polyxenes densovirus has an iteravirus-like genome organization.

The genome of Papilio polyxenes densovirus was cloned and sequenced and contained 5,053 nucleotides (nt), including inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) of 271 nt with terminal hairpins of 175 nt. Its DNA sequence and monosense organization with 3 open reading frames (ORFs) are typical of the genus Iteravirus in the subfamily Densovirinae of the Parvoviridae.

Iteravirus-like genome organization of a densovirus from Sibine fusca Stoll.

The complete genome of Sibine fusca densovirus was cloned and sequenced. The genome contained 5,012 nucleotides (nt), including inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) of 230 nt with terminal hairpins of 161 nt. Its DNA sequence and monosense organization with 3 open reading frames (ORFs) is typical of the genus Iteravirus in the subfamily Densovirinae of the Parvoviridae.