: Mosquito densonucleosis viruses (densoviruses) are mosquito-specific parvoviruses that are pathogenic for mosquitoes. Our long-term goal is to develop them as molecular biological tools for the investigation and control of mosquito-borne disease. We have developed the Aedes densonucleosis virus (AeDNV) as a transducing vector to express genes of interest in mosquito cells and mosquitoes. We propose to extend this work to improve and refine the versatility of these tools. In the first Specific Aim, seven En hand partially characterized densoviral isolates will be cloned, sequenced and characterized with respect to host range, in vitro and in vivo growth characteristics, pathogenesis and ability to be vertically transmitted. In addition, new field isolates will be sought in Thailand, Mexico, and, Africa from mosquito collections by colleagues working in those areas. New isolates will also be characterized. It is anticipated that there will be a range of phenotypes among the viruses. In the second Specific Aim, the constraints to the variability and compatibility of viral nonstructural proteins, terminal inverted repeats and the noncoding region just inside the right end will be investigated. These studies will establish critical parameters for densoviral vector design, and construction of chimeric viruses. In the third Specific Aim, the molecular determinants of phenotypic differences will be mapped on the viral genome by making chimeric viral genomes and comparing the properties of the resulting viruses to the parental viruses. In the fourth Specific Aim, we will attempt to correlate phenotypic properties of the viruses with the ability of the viruses to persist and spread within mosquito populations and between breeding demes in a vivarium. This should provide valuable data for the eventual use of these viruses to control vector populations and vector-borne disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI047139-05
Application #
6893290
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-TMP (01))
Program Officer
Costero, Adriana
Project Start
2001-07-01
Project End
2007-05-31
Budget Start
2005-06-01
Budget End
2007-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$307,492
Indirect Cost
Name
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
785979618
City
Fort Collins
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80523
Suchman, Erica L; Piper, Joseph; De Valdez, Megan Wise et al. (2009) Aedes aegypti densonucleosis virus amplifies, spreads, and reduces host populations in laboratory cage studies. J Med Entomol 46:909-18
Hirunkanokpun, Supanee; Carlson, Jonathan O; Kittayapong, Pattamaporn (2008) Evaluation of mosquito densoviruses for controlling Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): variation in efficiency due to virus strain and geographic origin of mosquitoes. Am J Trop Med Hyg 78:784-90
Azarkh, Eugene; Robinson, Erin; Hirunkanokpun, Supanee et al. (2008) Mosquito densonucleosis virus non-structural protein NS2 is necessary for a productive infection. Virology 374:128-37
Carlson, Jonathan; Suchman, Erica; Buchatsky, Leonid (2006) Densoviruses for control and genetic manipulation of mosquitoes. Adv Virus Res 68:361-92
Suchman, Erica; Carlson, Jonathan (2004) Production of mosquito densonucleosis viruses by Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells adapted to suspension culture in serum-free protein-free media. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 40:74-5