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Related Concept Videos

Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
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Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
Subviral Agents01:29

Subviral Agents

Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm
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Mutualistic polydnaviruses share essential replication gene functions with pathogenic ancestors.

Gaelen R Burke1, Sarah A Thomas, Jai H Eum

  • 1Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America. grburke@uga.edu

Plos Pathogens
|May 15, 2013
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals that Microplitis demolitor bracovirus (MdBV) virions contain baculovirus-like genes essential for viral replication and assembly. These findings offer the first experimental insights into bracovirus gene functions during virion formation.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Insect-Virus Interactions

Background:

  • Polydnaviruses, unlike typical viruses, form mutualistic relationships with parasitoid wasps.
  • Bracoviruses (BVs) share phylogenetic links with nudiviruses and baculoviruses, but functional conservation remains unclear due to biological differences and gene divergence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional roles of conserved genes in Microplitis demolitor bracovirus (MdBV) virion formation.
  • To determine if MdBV utilizes baculovirus-like mechanisms for transcription, assembly, and envelope formation.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of viral genes.
  • RNA interference (RNAi) for gene knockdown in MdBV.
  • Functional assays to assess gene activity in transcription, capsid assembly, and envelope formation.

Main Results:

  • MdBV virions contain conserved gene products similar to baculoviruses and nudiviruses.
  • RNAi effectively reduced MdBV gene expression, confirming target specificity.
  • Identified MdBV homologs of baculovirus RNA polymerase subunits (lef-4, lef-9) involved in transcription.
  • Confirmed conserved structural roles for vp39, vlf-1, p74, and pif-1 in MdBV virion assembly and envelope formation.
  • Discovered novel functions for vlf-1 and int-1 in proviral DNA excision and packaging.

Conclusions:

  • MdBV employs a baculovirus-like RNA polymerase for transcribing viral structural genes.
  • Several MdBV genes play conserved roles in virion structural component formation.
  • Vlf-1 and int-1 exhibit novel functions in MdBV replication, distinct from previously known roles.