Archives of Virology (2007) 152, 383-394

H. Jiang, J.M. Zhang, J.P. Wang, B. Yang, C.F. Liu, J. Lu and Y.Y. Hu (2007)
Genetic engineering of Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus as an improved biopesticide
Archives of Virology 152 (2), 383-394
Abstract: The smoky-brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa) densovirus (PfDNV) has previously shown potential in urban pest control. To improve its efficacy as a biopesticide, the genome of PfDNV was engineered by inserting the insect-specific toxin gene BmKIT1 in the open reading frame encoding the major structural proteins. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker was tagged to the BmKIT1 at its C-terminus for in vivo imaging using Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CFSM). Using a virion rescue strategy, the genomes of recombinant and wild-type (wt) PfDNV were then cotransfected in P. fuliginosa nymphs.
Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) showed that the inserted BmkIT1 genes were expressed in the P. fuliginosa nymphs 48 h after cotransfection. CFSM and transmission electron microscopy also confirmed the generation of virus particles and expression of BmKIT1-GFP fusion protein in the cotransfected nymphs. The recombinant viruses remained infective to P. fuliginosa nymphs in feeding tests. Using the LT₅₀ bioassay method, the coninfection of the recombinant and wt PfDNV killed the P. fuliginosa nymphs approximate 32% faster than wt PfDNV only. This is the first report showing the improvement of engineered densovirus for the potential application of biopesticide.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
genetical engin./transgenic plants

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Periplaneta fuliginosa
Pefuambidensovirus blattodean1 (entomopathogen)	Periplaneta fuliginosa