The role of wasp cellular processes in bracovirus production

Endogenization of foreign genetic material from viruses has given rise to new traits in a number of eukaryotes. Among the most unique examples of virus endogenization is the integration of an ancient nudivirus into the genome of a parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae that gave rise to bracoviruses (BVs). BVs specifically replicate in ovary calyx cells of females: producing virions that wasps inject into hosts with eggs. BV functions in hosts enable wasp offspring to successfully devlop. Many BV genes with functions in producing virions have been identified but the processes that control replication in calyx cells are incompletely understood. Here, we studied replication in Microplitis demolitor which produces M. demolitor bracovirus (MdBV). We report expression profiles of MdBV genes during pupal stage of female wasps when replication initiates. We also report results from loss of function experiments that inhibit replication. Overall, our results identify several genes with replication functions in a braconid wasp.