Genome sequence analysis of a Helicoverpa armigera single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV-TR) isolated fromHeliothis peltigera in Turkey

The entire genome of Helicoverpa armigera single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV-TR) was sequenced, and compared to genomes of other existing isolates. HearNPV-TR genome is 130.691 base pairs with a 38.9% G+C content and has 137 open reading frames (ORFs) of >= 150 nucleotides. Five homologous repeated sequences (hrs) and two baculovirus repeated ORFs (bro-a andbro-b) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HearNPV-TR is closer to HaSNPV-C1, HaSNPV-G4, HaSNPV-AU and HasNPV. However, there are significant differences inhr3,hr5 regions and inbro-a gene. Pairwise Kimura-2 parameter analysis of 38 core genes sequences of HearNPV-TR and other Helicoverpa NPVs showed that the genetic distances for these sequences were below 0.015 substitutions/site. Genomic differences as revealed by restriction profiles indicated thathr3,hr5regions andbro-a gene may play a role in the virulence of HearNPV-TR.