Complete genome sequence of Agrotis segetum granulovirus Shanghai strain

The complete nucleotide sequence of Agrotis segetum granulovirus Shanghai strain (AgseGV-L1) was determined and compared with that of AgseGV Xinjiang strain (AgseGV-XJ). The circular genome of AgseGV-L1 is 131,442 bp and has a G+C content of 37.27 %. It includes 149 ORFs, 24 of which are unique to AgseGV (AgseGV-L1 and AgseGV-XJ [GenBank accession no. NC_005839]). The average level of amino acid sequence identity between AgseGV-L1 and other granulovirus (GV) homologues (except AgseGV-XJ) ranged from 44.3 % (Adoxophyes orana granulovirus [AdorGV]) to 49 % (Cydia pomonella granulovirus [CpGV]). The AgseGV-L1 genome is 99 % identical to that of AgseGV-XJ. They have 196 differences, including 172 substitutions, 21 deletions and 3 insertions. Two homologous regions (hrs) were detected in two intergenic spaces, which share low identity and both lack a palindromic core. A p6.9 gene was found in this genome, which shared 38 %-59 % amino acid identity with those of other baculoviruses. No differences were found in the hr and p6.9 sequences of AgseGV-L1 and AgseGV-XJ. Ie-1 is a known immediate-early gene, but AgseGV-L1 ie-1 has no recognizable promoter element. By BLASTP analysis, one bro gene homologue of NPVs was detected (Agse148). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 29 core baculovirus genes indicated that AgseGV-L1 is closely related to AgseGV-XJ, Helicoverpa armigera granulovirus (HearGV), Helicoverpa armigera granulovirus (XecnGV), Pseudaletia unipuncta granulovirus (PsunGV), Spodoptera litura granulovirus (SpliGV) and Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV).