Genome sequence of Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus, a baculovirus with two DNA photolyase genes

The complete genome sequence of a single nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus recently isolated from Chrysodeixis chalcites (ChchNPV) was determined. The viral genome has a size of 149622 bp and an overall G+Ccontent of 39(.)1 mol%.The sequence contains 151 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) with a minimal size of 50 codons. The similarity of these ORFs with those of other completely sequenced baculoviruses was calculated using a newly developed database, named GECCO. Phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome confirmed the evolutionary relationship of ChchNPV with group II NPVs, as did the absence of the NPV group I-specific gp64 gene. It is the first group II NPV to encode proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Most noteworthy is the presence of two ORFs encoding a class II cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer DNA photolyase. These two ORFs share only 45% amino acid identity and have different promoter motifs. Twenty-two additional unique baculovirus genes were identified, including a gene encoding a novel putative RING finger protein with a possible homologue in poxviruses.