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Title: REPLICATION OF AN IRIDOVIRUS IN WHITEFLY CELLS AND WHITEFLY NYMPHS

Author
item FUNK, CORNELIUS - PRIOR ARS EMP.
item DAVIDSON, ELIZABETH - ASU, TEMPE, AZ
item Hunter, Wayne

Submitted to: Sweetpotato Whitefly Progress Review Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2002
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Citation: Funk, C.J., Davidson, E.W., Hunter, W.B. 2002. REPLICATION OF AN IRIDOVIRUS IN WHITEFLY CELLS AND WHITEFLY NYMPHS. Sweetpotato Whitefly Progress Review Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A cell line from the silverleaf whitefly, BtB-2.97-Hunter & Polston, was tested for its ability to support replication of the insect iridescent virus 6 (IIV-6). Several lines of evidence indicated that a productive infection was achieved. The cells displayed cytopathic effects (CPE) that included a change in cell shape and the appearance of cytoplasmic inclusions. Virus particles accumulated in defined areas of the cytoplasm. The cell-associated virus titer was detected at three orders of magnitude higher than that released into the media (1.3 x 108 vs. 1.1 x 105). Fluorescent antibody staining was used to visualize the virogenic stroma that initially was localized to areas adjacent to the nucleus in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The accumulation of viral DNA and proteins in the virogenic stroma led to the formation of the cytoplasmic inclusions that were observed as CPE. In addition, western blot analysis indicated CIV structural proteins were being expressed. Each of these lines of evidence indicated that whitefly cells could support a productive CIV infection. Nymphs were infected by feeding the virus in diet on an artificial rearing system. Virus was detected in nymphs by PCR and electron microscopy, but the infections were not highly pathogenic. Infection of whiteflies by IIV-6 suggests that more pathogenic viral isolates may be found for this insect and that the virus has potential to be used as an intracellular probe.