Expression of the mutant green fluorescent protein gene in insect cells and larvaae

A expression cassette containing the mutant green fluorescent protein gene (gfpS65T) and the intact polyhedrin gene was transposed to the attachment site for Tn7 in AcNPV-Bacmid by using the recombinant transposon vector pFGP, thus resulting in a recombinant baculovirus which carries the gfp gene and another copy of polyhedrin gene. The Sf9 cells infected by the recombinant baculovirus can stably produce polyhedra and show strong green fluorescence under ultraviolet light since the gfpS65T gene expression. Concomtantly, Trichoplusia ni larvae inoculated with the recombinant baculovirus show also green under sunlight and appear stronger green fluorescence under irradiation of a hand-hold long-wavelength ultraviolet light. It is possible that the recombinant baculovirus bearing the reporter gene gfp are able to be useful for studying entomological ecology and baculovirus epidemiology et al.