The Effect of a Small Conotoxin-Like ctx Gene from Autographa californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (AcMNPV) on Insect Hemolymph Melanization

Abstract

The conotoxin-like (ctx) gene encodes a small cysteine-rich polypeptide in various baculoviruses. Previous research has demonstrated that the product of the ctx gene could be purified from insect cells infected by Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), but its function was unknown. In this paper, we compared the conserved cysteine motif structure (CX3GX2CX5CCX3CX6C) of the ctx gene in baculoviruses and generated recombinant Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) with the BmNPV bacmid system. The recombinant BmNPV contained the ctx gene from AcMNPV or a fusion gene of ctx with eGFP, respectively. Fluorescence in CTX-eGFP-positive cells was mainly observed on the cell membrane. To gain insight into CTX function, two methods were used to elucidate the affect CTX had on hemolymph melanization in vivo and in vitro in insect larvae and pupae. The results indicated that CTX abrogates hemolymph melanization; however, the mechanisms require further evaluation.