The palm subdomain-based active site is internally permuted in viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases of an ancient lineage.

Template-dependent polynucleotide synthesis is catalyzed by enzymes whose core component includes a ubiquitous alphabeta palm subdomain comprising A, B and C sequence motifs crucial for catalysis. Due to its unique, universal conservation in all RNA viruses, the palm subdomain of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) is widely used for evolutionary and taxonomic inferences. We report here the results of elaborated computer-assisted analysis of newly sequenced replicases from Thosea asigna virus (TaV) and the closely related Euprosterna elaeasa virus (EeV), insect-specific ssRNA+ viruses, which revise a capsid-based classification of these viruses with tetraviruses, an Alphavirus-like family.

Analysis of the capsid processing strategy of Thosea asigna virus using baculovirus expression of virus-like particles.

Thosea asigna virus (TaV), a putative member of the genus Betatetravirus of the family Tetraviridae, is predicted to have a novel capsid expression strategy compared with other characterized tetraviruses. The capsid precursor protein is cleaved twice to generate three proteins. Two of the proteins, L (58.

The inhibitors of apoptosis of Epiphyas postvittana nucleopolyhedrovirus.

In this study, four inhibitor of apoptosis genes (iaps) in the genome of Epiphyas postvittana nucleopolyhedrovirus (EppoMNPV) that are homologous to iap-1, iap-2, iap-3 and iap-4 genes of other baculoviruses have been identified. All four iap genes were sequenced and the iap-1 and iap-2 genes were shown to be functional inhibitors of apoptosis. The iap-1, iap-2 and iap-3 genes contain two baculovirus apoptosis inhibitor repeat motifs and a C(3)HC(4) RING finger-like motif.

Physical and genetic map of the Wiseana nucleopolyhedrovirus genome.

Wiseana nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) is the major pathogen of the New Zealand endemic pasture pest, Wiseana spp. To characterize this potential biological control agent, the genome of a virus isolated from Wiseana signata was purified and cloned. The complete genome was cloned as BamHI or HindIII restriction fragments, which were mapped by Southern hybridization and restriction analysis.

A novel capsid expression strategy for Thosea asigna virus (Tetraviridae).

This paper presents evidence that Thosea asigna virus (TaV) has a unique capsid expression strategy and is a member of the Nudaurelia beta-like genus of the Tetraviridae. Electron microscopy of TaV particles indicated a 38 nm, T = 4 icosahedral capsid similar in structure to that of Nudaurelia beta virus (NbetaV). TaV particles have a buoyant density of 1.