Replication of a Gonad-Specific Insect Virus in TN-368 Cells in Culture

A newly discovered, nonoccluded, insect virus, known as gonad-specific virus (GSV) was found to replicate in Trichoplusia ni (TN-368) tissue culture cells. Light-microscope observations indicated that 90% of the infected cells showed cytopathic effects by 2 days postinoculation. Electron-microscopic observations revealed the productive replication of this nonoccluded virus with enveloped virus particles clearly visible in the nucleus of infected cells. These particles had approximately the same size and shape reported for GSV recovered from the in vivo host, Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm). Southern blot analysis indicated that the EcoRI restriction enzyme profiles of viral DNA from GSV-infected TN-368 were nearly identical to that of viral DNA from insects. Inoculation of healthy female, H. zea adults with cell-culture-derived virus yielded progeny moths with the same symptoms as insects inoculated with GSV propagated in vivo. These studies clearly demonstrate the ability of GSV to replicate in TN-368 cells in culture.