RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Li, Xing A1 Pang, Anthony A1 Lauzon, Hilary A. M. A1 Sohi, S. S. A1 Arif, Basil M.YR 1997 T1 The gene encoding the capsid protein P82 of the Choristoneura fumiferana multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus: sequencing, transcription and characterization by immunoblot analysis JF Journal of General Virology, VO 78 IS 10 SP 2665 OP 2673 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-78-10-2665 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB A gene encoding a capsid-associated viral structural protein has been identified and sequenced in the genome of the Choristoneura fumiferana multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (CfMNPV). The gene has a 1872 nucleotide open reading frame (ORF) encoding 624 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 71ยท4 kDa. Transcription, which appeared to be initiated from a conserved GTAAG motif of baculovirus late genes, was detected at 12 h, reached a maximum at 48 h and declined at 72 h post-infection (p.i.). Part of the ORF was cloned in frame into a prokaryotic expression vector, pMAL- c2, and the fusion protein was used to generate antibodies in rabbits. It was shown, with the aid of the polyclonal antiserum, that this viral protein was detectable at 24 h p.i. in infected cells. The protein appeared as an 82 kDa band in occlusion-derived virus and as an 82 kDa band and a 72 kDa band in budded virus. Amino acid sequence comparisons revealed that this ORF had high homology with the ORF p87 (77% similarity) of Orgyia pseudotsugata (Op) MNPV and the ORF p80 (60% similarity) of Autographa californica (Ac) MNPV. Immunoblots confirmed that the CfMNPV protein had antigenic similarities to the P87 protein of OpMNPV, but not to the P80 of AcMNPV., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-78-10-2665