IDENTIFICATION OF THE GP67 GENE OF A BACULOVIRUS PATHOGENIC TO THE SPRUCE BUDWORM, CHORISTONEURA-FUMIFERANA MULTINUCLEOCAPSID NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS-VIRUS

The baculovirus gp67 gene encodes a pH-dependent membrane fusion protein and has been identified in both Autographa californica multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) and Orygia pseudotsugata MNPV (OpMNPV). We have identified a homologous gene in the spruce budworm virus, Choristoneura fumiferana MNPV (CfMNPV). The CfMNPV gp67 gene is 79% identical to AcMNPV gp67 at the level of nucleotide sequence 82% identical at the level of predicted amino acid sequence. As with OpMNPV and AcMNPV gp67, the CfMNPV gp67 protein is found exclusively in the budded virus phenotype of the baculovirus.