In Silico Characterization of Intracellular Localization Signals and Structural Features of Mosquito Densovirus (MDV) Viral Proteins

As entomopathogenic viruses, mosquito densoviruses (MDVs) are widely studied for their potential as biocontrol agents and molecular laboratory tools for mosquito manipulation. The nucleus of the mosquito cell is the site for MDV genome replication and capsid assembly, however the nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and nuclear export signals (NES) for MDV proteins have not yet been identified. We carried out an in silico analysis to identify putative NLSs and NESs in the viral proteins of densoviruses that infect diverse mosquito genera (Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex) and identified putative phosphorylation and glycosylation sites on these proteins. These analyses lead to a more comprehensive understanding of how MDVs are transported into and out of the nucleus and lay the foundation for the potential use of densoviruses in mosquito control and basic research. Data summaryData used in this article were obtained from the GenBank database using accession numbers AYH52680, AYH52678, AYH52679, ABX83665, ABX83663, ABX83664, ABU95013, ABU95011, ABU95012, and AXQ04861. Impact statementMosquito densoviruses (MDVs) are of interest as mosquito biocontrol agents and as laboratory research tools. The trafficking of viral proteins to the cell nucleus is a critical step in viral replication. We used in silico approaches to identify putative nuclear localization signals and nuclear export signals for MDVs that infect the three major genera of pathogen-transmitting mosquitoes (Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex). These analyses lead a more comprehensive understanding of how MDVs are transported into and out of the nucleus and lay the foundation for the potential use of densoviruses in mosquito control and basic research.