The genome sequence of a baculovirus from Hemileuca sp. was determined. The genome is 140,633 kb, has a G+C content of 38.1%, and encodes 137 putative open reading frames over 50 amino acids. 126 of these ORFs showed similarity to other baculovirus genes in the database including all 37 core genes. Of the remaining 11 predicted genes, one is related to a lepidopteran serpin gene. This is the first report of a baculovirus encoding a member of this family of serine protease inhibitors, and the first report of a viral serpin outside the Poxviridae. The genome also contained 3 homologous repeat sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the virus is a Group II Alphabaculovirus and belongs to a lineage that includes Orgyia leucostigma, Ectropis obliqua, Apocheima cinerarium, and Euproctis pseudoconspersa nucleopolyhedroviruses.This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/11262.
GenBank accession KF158713Keywords: Baculovirus serpin gene, Baculovirus of saturniidae, Hemileuca baculovirus, Baculovirus genomeKeywords: Baculovirus serpin gene, Baculovirus of saturniidae, Hemileuca baculovirus, Baculovirus genom