wildlife and zoo assay data sheet
Spodoptera frugiperda rhabdovirus (Sf rhabdovirus or SfRV)
Test code:
S0277 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of Spodoptera
frugiperda rhabdovirus by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain
reaction
Spodoptera frugiperda rhabdovirus (Sf-rhabdovirus or SfRV) is a
negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family
Rhabdoviridae. It was first identified in 2014 in the Sf9 insect
cell line, which is derived from the fall armyworm (Spodoptera
frugiperda) (Ma et al., 2014). The virus naturally
establishes a persistent, low-level infection in
Spodoptera frugiperda
cells.
The Sf-rhabdovirus genome consists of approximately 13.5 kb of
non-segmented, negative-sense RNA. It follows the typical
rhabdovirus genomic organization, flanked by untranslated leader
(at the 3′ end) and trailer (at the 5′ end) sequences. The genes
are separated by conserved intergenic regions containing
transcription termination/polyadenylation signals and initiation
signals, which are similar to those found in certain
plant-associated rhabdoviruses (cytorhabdoviruses). Like other
rhabdoviruses, it produces bullet-shaped or bacilliform virions
visible by electron microscopy.
Sf9 cells are widely used in biotechnology for the production of
recombinant proteins, vaccines, and gene therapy vectors via the
baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS). The discovery of
Sf-rhabdovirus in some Sf9 cell lines has raised concerns
regarding potential viral contamination in biological products.
However, the virus is considered insect-specific and does not
replicate in mammalian cells, including human cell lines. There
is currently no evidence that it poses a risk to human health or
other mammals.
Routine screening of Sf9 working and master cell banks is recommended.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing is commonly used
to detect the presence of Sf-rhabdovirus in cell stocks
(Maghodia et al., 2016).
Utilities:
-
Help detect and mitigate contamination of cells lines by
this virus
References:
Ma H, Galvin TA, Glasner DR, Shaheduzzaman S, Khan
AS. Identification of a novel rhabdovirus in Spodoptera
frugiperda cell lines. J Virol. 2014 Jun;88(12):6576-85.
Maghodia AB, Geisler
C, Jarvis DL. Characterization of an Sf-rhabdovirus-negative
Spodoptera frugiperda cell line as an alternative host for
recombinant protein production in the baculovirus-insect cell
system. Protein Expr Purif. 2016 Jun;122:45-55.
Specimen requirement:
0.2 ml cell culture containing at least 100,000 cells.
Contact Zoologix
if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type
for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen
types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm
specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all
specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during
very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship
with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are
specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain
frozen in transit. See shipping
instructions for more information.
Turnaround time:
2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected
