Genomic variations and mutational analysis of South Indian isolates of BmNPV

Abstract

Abstract BmNPV belongs to the genus AlphaBaculovirus and is an arthropod-specific virus that infects the commercial sericulture insect B. mori. BmNPV was identified in the virus family Baculoviridae and has a large, circular, double-stranded DNA genome of 128.4 kb expressing 143 proteins. Many viruses are studied because of their damaging effects, the study of Baculoviruses was triggered by their potential utility to control insect pests. Later, the utility of Baculoviruses as expression vectors was evidenced, and a new research area emerged. We are attempting to investigate the genomic diversity of BmNPV from different locations in the southern Indian states, as it is one of the leading parts that have embraced sericulture on a large scale. The genome analysis of BmNPV provides additional data that may help to understand Baculovirus evolution and adaptations to their hosts. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of the relationships between the 4 B. mori Baculoviruses. Sequencing of BmNPV's whole genome from different isolates followed by mutational analysis would reveal information about the functional role of important viral genes, which can be demonstrated with the help of In silico bioinformatics models. This resulted in the presence of SNPs and INDELS in the most important genes of BmNPV, which may lead to further changes in the gene products.