광식성 난방제 해충인 파밤나방(Spodoptera exigua)의 친환경적 방제원으로써 이용을 위해 국내에서 분리된 파밤나방 핵다각체병바이러 스(S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus K1: SeNPV-K1)의 형태 및 전체 유전체 서열을 분석하였다. SeNPV-K1의 다각체(polyhedra)는 0.6-1.8 um 크기의 부정형으로, 기 보고된 SeNPV와 외형적 차이는 보이지 않았다. 전체 유전체의 염기서열을 분석한 결과, 기 보고된 SeNPV와 비교할 때 145 bp 더 많은 135,756 bp로 확인되었으며, G+C 함량은 44% 였고 상동반복영역은 6개로 두 바이러스간에 차이는 없었다. ORF 분석결과, SeNPV-K1은 기 보고된 것과 비교할 때 2개 더 적은 137개를 가지며, SeNPV-K1에만 존재하는 ORF는 4개가 확인되었다. 이들 4개의 ORF는 비필수 유전자로 바이러스의 특성에는 큰 영향을 주지 않을 것으로 여겨졌다. 유전체의 vista 분석 결과, SeNPV-K1과 기 보고된 SeNPV의 전체 염기서열 유사도가 매우 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 국내에서 처음으로 분석한 SeNPV-K1의 전체 유전체는 기 보고된 SeNPV와 유사한 것으로 나타났으나 서로 다른 분리주로 국내 고유자원임을 확인하였다.

The polyhedrin is responsible to form polyhedra of nucleopolyhedrovirus(NPV) and highly conserved in most completely sequenced in lepidopteran NPVs. Previously, we have reported that the substitution of polyhedrin of Autographa californica NPV(AcNPV) with that of Spodoptera exigua NPV(SeNPV) or Bombyx mori NPV(BmNPV) result the change of polyhedra morphology. In this study, we investigated the influence of changed polyhedra morphology to the virulence of AcNPV. The recombinant AcNPVs were propagated in Spodoptera frugiperda clone 9, 21 cells and S. exigua larvae. Each collected recombinant polyhedra were used in bioassays using S. exigua larvae. The recombinant AcNPVs show that difference virulence according to the polyhedra morphologies. Internal and external morphological features of each recombinant AcNPV were also compared on the electron microscope. Our results suggest that the morphology of polyhedra influence the virulence of NPV and is well worth considering for the development viral insecticide.

The four genetically distinct isolates have been identified previously from Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedroviruses (BmNPVs) isolated in Korea. To further understand the complex of viruses infecting Bombyx mori, the genome of BmNPV-K1 and K4 strains was completely sequenced and analyzed in comparison with the genome of other sequenced baculoviruses including previously reported BmNPV. BmNPV-K1 consisted of 127,542 bp and 133 open reading frames (ORFs) of 150 nucleotides or longer with minimal overlap have been identified. In contrast, BmNPV-K4 consisted of 128,615 bp and 134 open reading frames (ORFs). Although gene arrangement is virtually identical, the genome of BmNPV-K4 is 1,073 bp longer than BmNPV-K1. This was related to the more existence of bro genes in BmNPV-K4. To investigate the relationship between BmNPV-K1 and K4, phylogenetic analysis with each member of the paired ORFs was performed. The sequence data suggest that BmNPVK1 and BmNPV-K4 are closely related but have diverged and evolved into two separate strains. This was study to identify highly related but separately evolving viruses in the same insect host and geographic location. We are currently comparing the differences of these BmNPV genomes to elucidate characteristics of each virus.

The bulb mite (Rhizoglyphus echinopus) is damage garlic, shallot, onion in the bulbs, corms, tubers. It has recently become a serious problem because of the continuous use of acaricides resulting in resistance among bulb mite population. Thus, there is need to find alternative control measures to suppress bulb mite population. Initial screenings were performed using 352 isolates of pathogenic fungi from Korea soils. As results, 9 strains of acaropathogenic fungi were cadavers of bulb mite supporting fungal conidiation. These isolated were identified as 8 strains of Metarhizium anisopliae (4-1, 4-3-1, 4-3-2, 4-8-1, 4-4-1, 4-14-2, 4-16-1,and 4-31-2), 2 strains of Beauveria bassiana (4-4-2) by microscopic examination and genetic sequencing of the ITS region. However, ITS sequence analysis was consistent with the Metarhizium anisopliae (4-1, 4-3-1, 4-4-1, 4-31-2; a, 4-8-1, 4-14-2, 4-16-1; b, 4-3-2; c). Therefore, genetic diversity of selected in vitro isolates was characterized by Universally Primed (UP) PCR. The divided with Metarhizium anisopliae 4strain by UP-PCR. Of the 5stain isolation tested, 5stain resulted in mortality rates ≥20% within 6 days and all fungal treatment was detected mycosis. Thus these species of acaropathogenic fungi can be considered promising for biological control of bulb mite.

Mamestra brassicae nucleopolyhedrovirus-K1 (MabrNPV-K1) was isolated from naturally infected Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae in Korea. Restriction endonuclease fragment analysis using EcoRI, PstI, and BamHI estimated that the total genome size of MabrNPV-K1 is about 150 Kb. The full genome sequences of MabrNPV-K1 were determined, analyzed and compared to those of other baculoviruses. The MabrNPV-K1 genome consisted of 152,471 bp and had an overall G + C contents of 39.90 %. Computer-assisted analysis predicted 159 open reading frames (ORFs) of 150 nucleotides or greater that showed minimal overlap. The gene content and arrangement in MabrNPV-K1 were most similar to those of Mamestra configurata nucleopolyhedrovirus-B (MacoNPV-B), including three polh, p10 and lef-8 gene homologues. The MabrNPV-K1 genome contains four homologous repeat regions (hr1,hr2,hr3,hr4) that account for 3.1% of the genome. The genomic positions of MabrNPV-K1 regions hr1– hr4 are conserved with the genomic positions of MacoNPV-B hr1–hr4. This indicates that the position of MabrNPV–K1 hrs is conserved with regard to both the upstream and downstream genes. Given that hrs share higher similarity within a virus strain than any hrs between species, this evidence further indicates that hrs play a fundamental role in viral life cycle and replication process appears to be tightly linked to functional conservation. The dot plot analysis, percent identity of the gene homologues and a phylogenetic analysis suggested that MabrNPV-K1 is a Group II NPV that is closely related to MacoNPV but with a distinct genomic organization.

Mamestra brassicae (cabbage moth) is a common European moth of the order Lepidoptera and the family Noctuidae. The larval stage is highly polyphagous and is known to feed on more than 70 species of host plants from 22 families, including Brassica species, lettuce, onion, potato, pea, tomato and apple. M. brassicae has become a significant pest also in Asia due to the damage caused to agriculturally and economically important Brassica crops. It is difficult to control M. brassicae using chemical insecticide because of its rapid development of resistance. The objective of our study, therefore, was the mass production and formulation of a local strain of M. brassicae nucleopolyhedrovirus-K1 (MabrNPV-K1) for the development of viral insecticide to control it. In production efficiency of MabrNPV-K1 using M. brassicae larvae, the mortality of the 3rd instar larvae was 100% when inoculated with 1.0 × 105 PIBs/larva and the yield of MabrNPV-K1 was maximal. Regarding the mortality, yield of polyhedra, inoculation doses and required time, the 1.0 × 104 PIBs/larva at 30°C was determined as optimal conditions producing polyhedra efficiently. To formulate MabrNPV-K1, feeding toxicities of various supplements including spreader and ultraviolet (UV) -protectant were determined. Tinopal UNPA-GX which is UV-protectants was effective for protection of polyhedra from UV and showed the increased mortality when added with 1% concentration. Other supplements did not influence significantly the mortality of MabrNPV-K1. Formulated MabrNPV-K1 with several supplements showed higher pathogencity than un-formulated MabrNPV-K1.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella is a one of the most important pests of various cruciferous crops and has a geographically wide ranging habitat. The heavy dependence on chemical pesticides has created severe pesticide resistance problems. In recent years, Bacillus thuringiensis product have been widely used for P. xylostella control bus genetic resistance in populations to some B. thuringiensis strains, compounded by cross-resistance to several different B. thuringiensis toxins, has also been identified. Such recent resistance problems serve to emphasize the urgent need for alternative control agents and their use within an integrated pest management approach. Baculoviruses have been used as agents for the biological control of certain insect pest species. the granuloviruses (GVs), based on the structure of the occluded virus and the occlusion body (OB). Several reports have showed P. xylostella granulovirus (PxGV) as a promise control agent for P. xylostella. However, it is very difficult to study GV because its OB, granule, has very small size and could be observed exactly under the electron microscopy (EM). This study was performed to develop rapid quantification method for granule of PxGV. After the exact quantification of granule with latex beads using EM, the universal extraction method of viral DNA was established for consistent experiment. The number of granules was calculated by the quantification of PCR products for granuline gene using spectrophotometer and densitometer. This novel calculation method for granule would be useful to study GV.

The genome of a granulovirus isolated from the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura, was completely sequenced. The nucleotide sequence of the Spodoptera litura granulovirus (SlGV) genome was 124,121 bp long, with a 61.2% A+T content and contained 133 putative open reading frames (ORFs) of 150 nucleotides or larger. The 133 putative ORFs covered 86.3% of the genome. Among these, 29 ORFs were conserved in most completely sequenced baculovirus genomes, 35 were granuloviruses (GVs)-specific, and 60 were present in some NPVs and/or GVs. Especially, we proved that there were 9 SlGV-specific ORFs by RT-PCR. When the phylogenic relationship was analyzed using the nucleotide sequence of granulin gene, SlGV was most closely related to Trichoplusia ni granulovirus (TnGV) and Xestiac-nigrum granulovirus (XcGV) which were belonged to Type-I granulovirus. Comparative analysis of gene organization of the SlGV genome with those of other baculoviruses were carried out using blast matrix and gene order diagram.