Baculovirus dual-phase infection strategy and biotechnological applications: A structural and regulatory review

The Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) represents a sophisticated baculovirus characterized by a biphasic infection cycle involving budded virions (BV) and occlusion-derived virions (ODV). While BV facilitates systemic spread within hosts, ODV ensures environmental persistence through occlusion bodies. Recent advances in cryo-EM and molecular studies have elucidated the structural intricacies of nucleocapsids, envelopes, and occlusion bodies, revealing roles for proteins like VP39, GP64, and polyhedrin in infection dynamics. The regulatory genes of AcMNPV govern viral replication, nucleocapsid assembly, and host manipulation, while its adaptability in biotechnology, spanning insecticidal applications, protein expression, and gene therapy, highlights its versatility. Despite progress, gaps persist in understanding non-essential genes and host-specific interactions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on AcMNPV's lifecycle, structural components, and gene functions, while exploring engineered strategies to enhance its efficacy as a biopesticide and biomedical tool. This effort seeks to connect fundamental virology with translational discoveries by integrating mechanistic insights and developing applications, tackling issues of specificity, efficiency, and safety for sustainable solutions in agriculture and medicine.