Isolation and characterization of Nylanderia fulva virus 1, a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus infecting the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva

Virology. 2016 Sep:496:244-254. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.06.014. Epub 2016 Jun 30.

Abstract

We report the discovery of Nylanderia fulva virus 1 (NfV-1), the first virus identified and characterized from the ant, Nylanderia fulva. The NfV-1 genome (GenBank accession KX024775) is 10,881 nucleotides in length, encoding one large open reading frame (ORF). Helicase, protease, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and jelly-roll capsid protein domains were recognized within the polyprotein. Phylogenetic analysis placed NfV-1 in an unclassified clade of viruses. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained samples revealed particles with icosahedral symmetry with a diameter of 28.7±1.1nm. The virus was detected by RT-PCR in larval, pupal, worker and queen developmental stages. However, the replicative strand of NfV-1 was only detected in larvae. Vertical transmission did not appear to occur, but horizontal transmission was facile. The inter-colonial field prevalence of NfV-1 was 52±35% with some local infections reaching 100%. NfV-1 was not detected in limited samples of other Nylanderia species or closely related ant species.

Keywords: Genome sequence; Insect picorna-like virus; Nylanderia fulva; Tawny crazy ant, RNA virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ants / virology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Gene Order
  • Genome, Viral
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA Viruses / classification
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification
  • RNA Viruses / physiology*
  • RNA Viruses / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Viral
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • RNA, Viral