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Baculovirus phosphoprotein pp31 is associated with virogenic stroma
1Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station.
Journal of Virology
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) protein pp31 is synthesized early and late in infection, phosphorylated, and DNA-binding. This protein localizes to the nucleus and virogenic stroma, suggesting a role in the AcMNPV life cycle.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Insect Pathology
Background:
- Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) is a significant pathogen of Lepidoptera.
- The PstI K fragment of AcMNPV encodes a 31,000 molecular weight protein, designated pp31.
- Understanding the function of viral proteins is crucial for comprehending viral replication and pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To further elucidate the role of the AcMNPV pp31 protein during virus infection.
- To characterize the synthesis, localization, and biochemical properties of pp31.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression of pp31 in bacteria and production of polyclonal antiserum.
- Radioimmunoprecipitation and metabolic labeling (phsophorylation analysis).
- Biochemical fractionation, immunoblot analysis, immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy, and Southwestern blot analysis.
Main Results:
- pp31 is synthesized during both early and late phases of AcMNPV infection.
- pp31 is a phosphorylated protein localized predominantly within the nucleus, associated with chromatin and nuclear matrix.
- pp31 is a DNA-binding protein and a component of the virogenic stroma.
Conclusions:
- The pp31 protein exhibits characteristics suggesting a significant role in the AcMNPV life cycle.
- pp31's nuclear localization, DNA-binding ability, and presence in the virogenic stroma point towards involvement in viral DNA replication or assembly.