ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates on the molecular biology of the Oryctes and the Hz-1 nonoccluded baculovirus. The replication of Oryctes virus in a cell line derived from Heteronychus arator, has been studied extensively by Crawford and Sheehan. Based on their electron microscopic observations, Crawford and Sheehan proposed that the Oryctes baculovirus assembly begins with the formation of an envelope and nucleocapsid shell, which is then filled with an electron-dense core containing the viral DNA. Crawford also demonstrated that there were six regions of the virus genome which contained reiterated sequences. The Oryctes virus has been used successfully in the control of the rhinoceros beetle throughout the tropics, and Hz-1 serves as the model for the study of baculovirus persistent infections. The development of new cell culture systems coupled with improved isolation and screening methods allows more research into the molecular biology of these viruses. It is hoped that research with these viruses will provide information useful to baculovirology and virology.
