[Construction and toxicity the recombinant SpltMNPV expressing the scorpion toxin gene].

OBJECTIVE

To develop a high toxic recombinant Spodoptera litura multicapsid nucleopolyhedroviruse (SpltMNPV) insecticide.

METHODS

We constructed a recombinant transfer vector that was characterized by disrupting of ecdysterioid UDP-glucosyltransferase (egt) gene and expressing the mature peptide of the Chinese scorpion, B. martensi Karsch (BmK ITal) gene at the control of ie-1 promoter. The transfer vector and the SpltMNPV II DNA cotransfected the SpLi cells. Recombinant viruses were purified by the end point dilution and fluorescent spot purification.

RESULTS

We successfully screened the recombinant SpltMNPV-deltaegt-Pph-egfp-ie-1-BmK ITal of which the egt gene was knocked out and expressed the mature peptide of the BmK ITal gene at the control of ie-1 promoter. Bioassays showed that, compared to the wide-type SpltMNPV, the speed of the recombinant virus killing the S. litura (LT50) increased by 0.7-0.8 days.

CONCLUSION

The insecticidal effect of SpltNPV could be increased by inserting the foreign gene, which provided a further opportunity to develop the SpltNPV into commercially viable products to control the S. litura.