Alphabaculovirus


Alphabaculovirus is a genus of viruses in the family Baculoviridae. Its natural hosts are invertebrates, among them winged insects, and decapods. There are currently 55 species in the genus, including the type species Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Taxonomy

Group: dsDNA

Structure

Viruses in Alphabaculovirus are enveloped, with circular genomes around 80–180 kbp in length. The genome codes for 100 to 180 proteins.
GenusStructureSymmetryCapsidGenomic arrangementGenomic segmentation
AlphabaculovirusBudded or OccludedEnvelopedCircularMonopartite

Life cycle

Alphabaculovirus replication is nuclear. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral glycoproteins to host receptors, which mediates endocytosis. Replication follows the double-stranded DNA bidirectional replication model. DNA-templated transcription with some alternative splicing mechanism is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by leaky scanning. The virus exits the host cell by nuclear pore export and exists in occlusion bodies after cell death, remaining infectious until finding another host. Winged insects, arthropods, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Decapoda serve as natural hosts. Transmission routes are fecal-oral.
GenusHost detailsTissue tropismEntry detailsRelease detailsReplication siteAssembly siteTransmission
AlphabaculovirusWinged insectsMidgut then hemocoel; digestive gland epithelium GlycoproteinsBudding; OcclusionNucleusNucleusOral-fecal