Molecular biology of baculovirus and its use in biological control in Brazil

Baculoviruses are insect viruses found mainly in Lepidoptera. The family Ba culoviridae is taxonomically divided in two genera, Nucleopolyhedrovirus an d Granulovirus, which differ by occlusion body morphology. NPVs (Nucleopoly hedroviruses) have polyhedrical inclusion bodies (PIBs) containing multiple viral particles, while GVs (Granuloviruses) appear to be generally single particles occluded in oval shaped occlusion bodies. During the life cycle, two different viral progenies are produced: BV (Budded Virus) and PDV (Poly hedra Derived Virus), which are essential for the infectious process and vi rus propagation in host cells. Baculoviruses are being used for pest contro l and they are especially safe due to their specificity and invertebrate-re stricted host range. Baculoviruses have been used as,vectors for high level protein expression of heterologous genes from prokaryotic and. eukaryotic organisms. Also, recombinant DNA techniques have allowed the production of genetically modified viral insecticides. This study is a review on the taxo nomy, structure, replication and molecular biology of baculoviruses, as wel l as their use as bioinsecticides in Brazil.