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[Mutagenic analysis on the polyhedrin gene (polh) of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV)]
1Department of Sericulture and Fashion Design, South China Agricultural University, Guanzhou 510642, China.
Abstract:
In our early studies, the abnormal shape of the polyhedra of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) induced by chemical mutagens of MMC. 9-AA and EMS occurred, and the genome of the mutated BmNPV obtained from the successive test had some change in the restriction endonuclease partners of EcoRI, BglII and BamHI. The present studies showed that the arrangement of the crystal lattice of the polyhedrin was disorderly, and the SDS-PAGE electropherogram of the polyhedrin depicted distinct change in comparison with control group. The results of sequencing analysis showed that many point mutations with characteristics of the base substitution had occurred at some sites of the BmNPV polh gene in three mutated groups, and these results funther revealed molecular mutagenesis of the mutagens effective to BmNPV. It was not confirmable that the point mutations of polh gene in the mutated BmNPV have relationship to abnormal shape of the polyhedra.
Insights
Chemical mutagens altered Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) polyhedra shape and genome. Sequencing revealed point mutations in the BmNPV polh gene, indicating molecular mutagenesis, though a direct link to polyhedron abnormality remains unconfirmed.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) is a significant insect pathogen.
- Previous studies indicated abnormal polyhedron shapes in BmNPV induced by chemical mutagens (MMC, 9-AA, EMS).
- Early research also noted genomic changes in mutated BmNPV, specifically in restriction endonuclease sites (EcoRI, BglII, BamHI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular basis of mutagenesis in BmNPV induced by chemical agents.
- To analyze changes in polyhedrin structure and the BmNPV polh gene following mutagen treatment.
- To explore the relationship between polh gene mutations and abnormal polyhedron morphology.
Main Methods:
- Induction of BmNPV mutations using chemical mutagens (MMC, 9-AA, EMS).
- Analysis of polyhedra structure and polyhedrin using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.
- DNA sequencing of the BmNPV polh gene in mutated strains.
- Restriction endonuclease digestion analysis of BmNPV genomes.
Main Results:
- Mutated BmNPV exhibited disorderly crystal lattice arrangement of polyhedrin.
- SDS-PAGE revealed distinct changes in polyhedrin electrophoregrams compared to controls.
- Sequencing analysis identified numerous base substitution point mutations in the BmNPV polh gene across three mutated groups.
- Genomic analysis showed alterations in EcoRI, BglII, and BamHI restriction sites in mutated BmNPV.
Conclusions:
- Chemical mutagens effectively induce molecular mutagenesis in BmNPV.
- Point mutations in the BmNPV polh gene were identified as a consequence of mutagen exposure.
- The direct correlation between polh gene point mutations and the observed abnormal polyhedron shapes could not be confirmed in this study.
