Honeybee pupae were collected from Jilin apiaries and RNA was extracted for use as a tefnplate for amplification. Based on the complete genome sequences of black queen cell virus (BQCV) published on GenBank, we designed 10 pairs of primers to amplify genes by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Using this approach, we have obtained the first complete genome sequence of a BQCV isolate in China. The genome of the isolated strain, named BQCV-JL1, is composed of 8358 nucleotides and shares between 86% and 93% homology with the complete genome sequences of the other six BQCV strains published on GenBank. ORF 1 of BQCV-JL1 is positioned between nucleot ides (nt) 546 and 4676 (4131 nt), while ORF 2 is located between nt 5750 and 8203. Between the two ORFs of BQCV-JL1 there is a short ORF, called ORF 3, between nt 4891 and 5433 (543 nt). The first functional gene ex- pression domain of the BQCV-JL1 strain is positioned between nt 546 and 5 429, encompassing both ORF 1 and ORF 3. There is an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) located before ORF 2, the last three bases of which are CCU (nt 5642-5644). These bases act as an initiation.codon facilitating the translation of ORF 2. The second functional gene expression domain of the BQCV-JL1 strain is located between nt positions 5642 and 8203. The BQCV-JL1 strain was found to share high sequence identity (93%) with the Hungary 10 genotype at the whole-genome level and analysis of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences revealed that the BQCV-JL1 strain also shows close genetic relationships with the South Korea strain, suggesting that both the BQCV-JL1 and South Korea strains may have migrated from European countries. BQCV-JL1 strain was different from the other 6 strains in dividing the nucleotides positions of QRF, which vqs because of the gene mutation.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bees ; China ; Genome, Viral ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; RNA Viruses ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

In nature, honeybees are the most important pollinators. They play a vital role in both protecting the diversity of natural ecosystems, and maintaining the yield-improving effects of agroecosystems. But in recent years, epidemic disease in bees has caused huge losses. Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV) is a bee pathogen that was first reported in 1955. It mainly infects bee larvae and pupae, making their bodies turn dark and black, and causing a massive decrease in the bee population. More specifically, the virus makes the exterior of the cell walls in the larvae and pupae turn black. BQCV is a seasonal epidemic, spread by means horizontal and vertical transmission, and is often unapparent. BQCV not only infects a variety of bee species, but also spiders, centipedes and other arthropods. It can also be coinfected with other honeybee viruses. In recent years, research has shown that the Nosema intestinal parasite plays an important role in BQCV transmission and bees carrying Nosema that become infected with BQCV have increased mortality. Here we summarize current research on the incidence, prevalence, geographical distribution and transmission of BQCV.
Animals ; Bees ; virology ; Dicistroviridae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Insect Viruses ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology