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A cell line (NTU-MV) established from Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Characterization, viral
Shih-Chia Yeh1, Song-Tay Lee, Chih-Yu Wu
1Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Abstract:
Here we describe the establishment of a new cell line, NTU-MV, derived from pupal tissues of an economically important pest, the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata. This cell line contained four major cell types: polymorphic cells, round cells, spindle-shaped cells, and comma cells. The doubling time of MV cells in TNM-FH medium supplemented with 8% FBS at 28 degrees C was 27h. The chromosome numbers of MV cells varied widely from 16 to 268. Compared to other insect cell lines, the MV cell line produced distinct isozyme patterns with esterase, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Confirmation that NTU-MV was derived from M. vitrata was demonstrated by showing that the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the MV cells was 98% identical to that of M. vitrata larvae. Two NTU-MV cell strains, NTU-MV1 and NTU-MV56, were selected based on susceptibility to MaviMNPV (M. vitrata multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus). NTU-MV, MV1, and MV56 cells showed a high susceptibility to MaviMNPV and produced high yields of polyhedra (47-50OBs/cell, 4x10(7)-5.96x10(7)OBs/ml) after 2 weeks of MaviMNPV infection. We conclude that the NTU-MV cell line will be a useful tool for studying MaviMNPV as well as for the mass production of MaviMNPV polyhedra for the biocontrol of M. vitrata.
Insights
A new cell line, NTU-MV, was established from the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata. This cell line is susceptible to Maruca vitrata multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV), aiding in its biocontrol.
Area of Science:
- Insect cell line development
- Molecular entomology
- Pest biocontrol
Background:
- The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, is an economically significant agricultural pest.
- Development of robust insect cell lines is crucial for studying insect-specific pathogens and for biocontrol applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize a novel cell line from Maruca vitrata.
- To evaluate the susceptibility of the new cell line to Maruca vitrata multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV).
- To assess the utility of the cell line for MaviMNPV research and production.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of the NTU-MV cell line from Maruca vitrata pupal tissues.
- Characterization of cell morphology, growth rate, and chromosome number.
- Isozyme analysis and DNA sequencing (ITS regions) for species confirmation.
- Assessment of cell line susceptibility to MaviMNPV infection and polyhedra yield.
Main Results:
- The NTU-MV cell line comprises four major cell types with a doubling time of 27 hours.
- Isozyme patterns and ITS sequence (98% identity) confirmed derivation from M. vitrata.
- Selected strains (NTU-MV1, NTU-MV56) showed high susceptibility to MaviMNPV.
- High yields of MaviMNPV polyhedra were produced (47-50 OBs/cell).
Conclusions:
- The NTU-MV cell line is a valuable tool for Maruca vitrata research.
- The cell line facilitates the study and mass production of MaviMNPV for effective pest biocontrol.
