Progress 01/15/09 to 01/14/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience for this work is the scientific community working in the fields of entomology, virology, and evolution. Results of the work has also been shared through classroom instruction, outreach activities, and websites accessible to the public at-large. Changes/Problems: The only change during the course of the project was the discovery that a large proportion of polydnavirus genomes is not packaged into virus particles. This feature of polydnavirus biology was unknown when the original proposal was submitted. This required that genome analysis shift away from analysis of polydnavirus virions as originally proposed to an analysis of virions and the genomes of associated wasps. This approach was taken and resulted in complete sequencing of one wasp species and partial genomic data on several others. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training and professional development provided by the projectinclude training experiences for three postdoctoral scientists (Burke, Bitra, Eum), one graduate student (Juber Patel) and threeundergraduate students (Sara Thomas, Dane Smith, David Jones). in addition the work experiences have been enhanced for two technical personnel (Jena Johnson, Kim Waldon). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information generated from the project has been disseminated through the refereed scientific literature through journal articles. Information has also been disseminated through oral and poster presentations at scientific meetings. These include the Entomological Society of America, American Society for Virology, Society for Molecular Evolution, and Society for General Microbiology. Lastly, seminars have presented at different universities by the investigators. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Parasitoid wasps are among the most important biological control agents of agricultural insect pests. The survival of manyparasitoids depends upon symbiotic viruses in the family Polydnaviridae that wasps carry and introduce into parasitized hostinsects. Goals of this project are to sequence and characterize the genomes of polydnaviruses from different subfamilies,genera, and species of parasitoid wasps. Specific objectives of this project are: 1. sequence PDV genomes from specificwasp taxa, 2. analyze these genomes, and 3. assess the functional significance of specific PDV traits in parasitoiddiversification. Expected outcomes of the study include the development and testing of novel sequencing approaches for fieldisolates of an insect pathogen and characterization of genes that cause disease in insect pests. Major outcomes of the project this year are: 1) we completed sequencing of the proviral genome of Microplitis demolitorbracovirus (MdBV), 2) we have sequenced the packaged genome of two other Microplitis BV species and 3 Cotesia BVspecies, 3) we have analyzed the genomes of each of these isolates, 4) we have characterized the function of selectedreplication genes of the MdBV proviral genome, 5) we have characterized functions of select virulence genes in the BV proviral genomes, and 6) we have analyzed many of the genes in BV-carrying wasps. This information collectively provides the first complete analysis of polydnavirus genomes.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Burke, G. R., S. A. Thomas, J.-H. Eum, and M. R. Strand. 2013. Polydnaviruses share essential replication gene functions with pathogenic ancestors. PLoS Pathogens. 9: e1003348.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Bitra, K., R. J. Suderman and M. R. Strand. 2012. Polydnavirus Ank proteins function as IkB mimics that subvert the insect Imd signaling pathway. PLoS Pathogens. 8(5): e1002722.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Bitra, K., S. Zhang, and M. R. Strand. 2011. Transcriptomic profiling of Microplitis demolitor bracovirus reveals host, tissue, and stage-specific patterns of activity. J. Gen. Virol. 92, 2060-2071.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Burke, G. R. and M. R. Strand. 2012. Deep sequencing identifies viral and wasp genes with potential roles in replication of Microplitis demolitor bracovirus. J. Virol. 86, 3293-3306.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Burke G.R., K.K.O. Walden, J.B. Whitfield, H.M. Robertson, and M. R. Strand. 2014. Widespread genome organization of an obligate virus mutualist. PLoS Genetics. Under Review
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Burke, G. R., and M. R. Strand. 2014. Systematic analysis of a wasp parasitism arsenal. Mol. Ecol. 23: 890-901.
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Progress 01/15/12 to 01/14/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Parasitoid wasps are key biological control agents of agricultural insect pests. The survival of many parasitoids depends upon symbiotic viruses in the family Polydnaviridae. Goals of this project are to characterize the genes of polydnaviruses. Specific goals are: 1) sequence PDV genomes from specific wasp taxa, 2) analyze these genomes, and 3) assess the functional significance of polydnavirus genes. PARTICIPANTS: Participants in the project this year have been: Michael R. Strand, James Whitfield, Gaelen Burke, Jai Eum, Kavita Bitra and Sara Thomas. Partner organizations have been the University of Illinois (Whitfield). Collaborators have included Dr. Hugh Robertson (University of Illinois) who has assisted with sequencing of M. demolitor and MdBV proviral genome. Training and professional development provided by the project include training experiences for two postdoctoral scientists (Burke and Bitra), one graduate student (Juber Patel) and one undergraduate student (Sara Thomas). TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for the project are scientists with interests in virology, insect pathology, insect systematics and pest management. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Major outcomes of the project this year are: 1) we completed sequencing of the proviral genome of Microplitis demolitor bracovirus (MdBV), 2) we have sequenced the packaged genome of two other Microplitis BV species and 3 Cotesia BV species, 3) we have analyzed the genomes of each of these isolates, and 4) we have characterized the function of selected replication genes of the MdBV proviral genome.
Publications
- Burke, G. R., S. A. Thomas, J.-H. Eum, and M. R. Strand. 2013. Polydnaviruses share essential replication gene functions with pathogenic ancestors. PLoS Pathogens. In Press.
- Burke, G. R. and M. R. Strand. 2012. Deep sequencing identifies viral and wasp genes with potential roles in replication of Microplitis demolitor bracovirus. J. Virol. 86, 3293-3306.
- Bitra, K., R. J. Suderman and M. R. Strand. 2012. Polydnavirus Ank proteins function as IkB mimics that subvert the insect Imd signaling pathway. PLoS Pathogens. 8(5): e1002722.
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Progress 01/15/11 to 01/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Parasitoid wasps are among the most important natural enemies of insect pests. Many species depend on symbiotic polydnaviruses to successfully parasitize pest insects. Objectives of this project are to develop sequencing methods for polydnavirus genome analysis in relation to phylogenetic history and host range. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Michael R. Strand, Dr. Jim Whitfield, Dr. Markus Beck, Dr. Gaelen Burke, Dr. Shu Zhang, Dr. Kavita Bitra TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this work is scientists with interests in parasitoid biology, virology, genomics, and symbiosis. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Progress to date has been the sequencing of multiple encapsidated polydnavirus genomes by 454 and Illumina sequencing, Illumni sequencing of the proviral transcriptome of Microplitis demolotor bracovirus, and partial sequencing of the M. demolitor genome.
Publications
- Beck, M. R., S. Zhang, S. Bitra, G. R. Burke and M. R. Strand. 2011. The encapsidated genome of Microplitis demolitor bracovirus integrates into the host Pseudoplusia includens. J. Virol. 85, 11685-11696.
- Strand, M. R. 2012. Polydnavirus gene expression profiling: what we know now. In: Polydnaviruses (Beckage, N.B., Drezen, J.-M. (eds.) pp. 137-145. Elsevier, San Diego, CA. pp.
- Strand, M. R. 2012. Polydnavirus gene products that interact with the host immune system. In: Polydnaviruses (Beckage, N.B., Drezen, J.-M. (eds.), pp. 149-157. Elsevier, San Diego, CA.
- Burke, G. R. and M. R. Strand. 2012. Deep sequencing identifies viral and wasp genes with potential roles in replication of Microplitis demolitor bracovirus. J. Virol. doi: 10.1128/JVI.06434-11.
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Progress 01/15/10 to 01/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Parasitoid wasp and flies are among the most important mortality agents of agricultural pests. Many parasitoid wasps depend upon symbiotic polydnaviruses for successful parasitism of pest insects. Objectives of this project are to develop methods for high throughput sequencing of polydnavirus genomes using field collected samples. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Michael R. Strand, Dr. Gaelen Burke, Dr. Markus Beck, Dr. Shu Zhang, Dr. Kavita Bitra. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this work is scientists with interests in parasitoid biology, virology and functional genomics. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: One major change for the project is exploration of other sequencing approaches more appropriate for polydnavirus genomes. A second project modification is to include studies that examine the integration of polydnavirus genomes into host genomes. The reason for these changes is proposed sequencing approaches have proven inadequate. The finding that polydnavirus genomes integrate into hosts is also of major significance for understanding polydnavirus function. As such this goal merits high priority for further study.
Impacts
Progress this year was the finding that proposed methods using 454 sequencing technology are not fully adequate for polydnavirus genome sequencing. This is due to unclear technical factors that result in inadequate sequencing coverage of some viral segments. Alternative approaches are being examined.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/15/09 to 01/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Parasitoid wasps are among the most important natural enemies of insect pests. Many parasitoid wasps depend upon symbiotic polydnaviruses to successfully parasitize host insects. Objectives of this project are to develop methods for high throughput sequencing of polydnavirus genomes using field collected material and to analyze these data to understand how polydnavirus genomes are evolving in response to phylogenetic history and host range. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Michael R. Strand and Dr. Jim Whitfield. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this work is scientists with interests in parasitoid biology, polydnaviruses, genome evolution, and functional genomics. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None
Impacts
Progress to date include establishment of methods for producing polydnavirus genomic DNA suitable for sequencing from material isolated from a single field collected wasp isolate. Sequence data generated for selected species in the genus Microplitis provide approximately 80% coverage of the viral genome. Phylogenetic studies provide a suitable phylogeny for the comparative analyses proposed. Most specimens needed for analysis have also been collected and preserved from the field.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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