Effects of Fetal Bovine Serum deprivation in cell cultures on the production of Anticarsia gemmatalis Multinucleopolyhedrovirus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Anticarsia gemmatalis </it>is a pest in South America's soybean crops, which could be controlled by the Multinucleopolyhedrovirus of <it>A. gemmatalis </it>(AgMNPV). Currently, its commercial production is based on infected larvae. However, the possibility of using modified baculoviruses in Integrated Pest Management programs has stimulated an interest to develop alternative multiplication processes. This study evaluated the AgMNPV production in UFL-Ag-286 cells previously deprived Fetal Bovine Serum.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Culture media containing 1% FBS during the previous 48 hours achieved a synchronized condition where 90% of cells were found in G₀/G₁stage, showing the presence of non-filamentous actin. All characteristics were estimated from cellular viability tests, cell actin detection trials and flow cytometer cell cycle analysis. AgMNPV production was tested by transcript studies and budded viruses (BVs) and occlusion bodies (OBs) yield quantitation. Results showed that the productivity in FBS deprived cells was 9.8 times more in BVs and 3.8 times more in OBs with respect to non-treated cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>UFL-Ag-286 cells previously deprived in FBS shown to be a better host for AgMNPV propagation, increasing the useful for both <it>in vitro </it>bioinsecticide production and applications such as recombinant protein expression or gene delivery.</p

First record of a mosquito iridescent virus in Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

The mosquito iridescent viruses (MIVs) are large icosahedral DNA viruses that replicate and assemble in the cytoplasm of the host. Paracrystalline arrangements of virions that accumulate in the cytoplasm produce an iridescent color that is symptomatic of acute infections. In August 2010 we found larvae of Culex pipiens with these symptoms in suburban ditches around La Plata city, Argentina. Electron microscope studies, PCR amplification of the Protein (MCP) gene arrangement, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were carried out