An Invertebrate Calici-like Virus: Evidence for Partial Virion Disintegration in Host Excreta

Abstract

A virus with morphological and physicochemical properties similar to those of the vertebrate caliciviruses was isolated from navel orangeworms, Amyelois transitella (Walker). Infected larvae contained 2 types of virus particles: a 185S, 38 nm cupped particle (ACSVi) with a single major polypeptide of 70,000 MW and a 165S, 28 nm smooth particle (ACSVii) with a single major polypeptide of 29,000 MW. Larval frass contained a heterogeneous population of virus particles. The 38 nm particle apparently degrades by proteolytic digestion to produce predominantly 28 nm particles in frass. Virus particles contained a single-stranded RNA of 36S (.apprx. 2.5 .times. 106 MW).