The Transcriptome of the Baculovirus Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus in Trichoplusia ni Cells

Baculoviruses are important insect pathogens that have been developed as protein expression vectors in insect cells and as transduction vectors for mammalian cells. They have large double-stranded DNA genomes containing approximately 156 tightly spaced genes, and they present significant challenges for transcriptome analysis. In this study, we report the first comprehensive analysis of AcMNPV transcription over the course of infection in Trichoplusia ni cells, by a combination of strand-specific RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and deep sequencing of 5' capped transcription start sites and 3' polyadenylation sites. We identified four clusters of genes associated with distinctive patterns of mRNA accumulation through the AcMNPV infection cycle. A total of 218 transcription start sites (TSS) and 120 polyadenylation sites (PAS) were mapped. Only 29 TSS were associated with a canonical TATA box, and 14 initiated within or near the previously identified CAGT initiator motif. The majority of viral transcripts (126) initiated within the baculovirus late promoter motif (TAAG), and late transcripts initiated precisely at the second position of the motif. Analysis of 3' ends showed that 92 (77%) of the 3' PAS were located within 30 nucleotides (nt) downstream of a consensus termination signal (AAUAAA or AUUAAA). A conserved U-rich region was found approximately 2 to 10 nt downstream of the PAS for 58 transcripts. Twelve splicing events and an unexpectedly large number of antisense RNAs were identified, revealing new details of possible regulatory mechanisms controlling AcMNPV gene expression. Combined, these data provide an emerging global picture of the organization and regulation of AcMNPV transcription through the infection cycle.