Dr. Peter J. Krell

Virology has always fascinated me for the intrinsic sophistication and simplicity of viruses as they usurp the cell for their own replication and as a vehicle for dissecting the molecular events that occur within a cell. In my  laboratory  we are interested in understanding the mechanisms and intracellular components involved in the molecular virology  of  the  ubiquitous large dsDNA genome insect baculoviruses specifically focussing  on  transcriptional  regulation, DNA replication, genomics, proteomics, viral protein functions, localizations  and  interactions. For example, we are searching for origins of DNA replication (where DNA replication starts) on the baculovirus genome and are interested in dissecting the enzyme complex and regulation needed to realize this most fundamental of all biological processes. We are using the tools of transcriptomics and proteomics to unravel, on a global level, how these viruses regulate themselves and take over the cells metabolism and molecular machinery to its own advantage. For  example  we found, from the work of a  PhD  student that the baculovirus ME53 protein is transported to budding sites on the cell membrane of  virus infected  cells where it probably assists the virus in “budding” from the cell. In a study by another  PhD  student, we are looking at the interaction and regulation of a viral chitinase and cathepsin. These two hydrolytic enzymes are made early in the replication cycle but are not activated and released until after a high level of virus replication has occurred. These enzymes help to disrupt the structural integrity of the infected insect larvae causing it to liquefy which assists in the transmission of  virus  to nearby insects in the environment. Such knowledge could be used in the context of using baculoviruses to generate environmentally benign, highly  species specific , biological control agents against insect pests (particularly in forests).  Furthermore  with colleagues in the Department of Pathobiology, I am studying animal viruses, in  particular  fowl adenoviruses, as vectors to produce subunit or live viral vaccines for several animal viral diseases, and have recently begun a collaboration on influenza virus research.

• Denyes JM, Krell PJ, Manderville RA, Ackermann H-A, She Y-M, and Kropinski AM. 2014. The genome and proteome of Serratia bacteriophage h which forms unstable lysogens. Virology Journal 11:6
• Grgic H, Krell PJ and Nagy E 2013. Comparison of fiber gene sequences of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) and non-IBH strains of serotype 8 and 11 fowl adenoviruses. Virus Genes. PMID:24142408
• Perera S, Krell PJ, Demirbag Z, Nalcacioglu R, Arif B. 2013. Induction of apoptosis by the Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus. J Gen Virol 94:1876-1887.
• Quan G, Ladd T, Duan J, Wen F, Doucet D, Cusson M, Krell PJ. 2013. Characterization of a spruce budworm chitin deacetylase gene: Stage- and tissue-specific expression, and inhibition using RNA interference. Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2013 Apr 28. pii: S0965-1748(13)00072-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.04.005. [Epub ahead of print]
• Hodgson JJ, Arif BM, Krell PJ. 2013. Role of interactions between Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus procathepsin and chitinase chitin-binding or active-site domains in viral cathepsin processing. J Virol 87:3471-3483.
• Feng G, Thumbi DK, de Jong J, Hodgson JJ, Arif BM, Doucet D, Krell PJ. 2012. Selection and Characterization of Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) DNA Polymerase Mutations. J Virol. 86:13576-13588.
• Cheng XH, Kumar S, Arif BM, Krell PJ, Zhang CX, Cheng XW. 2012. Cell-dependent polyhedra production and virion occlusion of AcMNPV fp25k mutants in vitro and in vivo. J Gen Virol. 94:177-186.
• Johny Shajahan; Gauthier Debbie; van Frankenhuyzen Kees and Krell Peter. 2012. Characterization and virulence of Beauveria spp. recovered from emerald ash borer in southwestern Ontario, Canada, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 111:41-49.
• de Jong, Jondavid, Theilmann, David, Arif, Basil and Krell, Peter. 2011. Immediate early protein ME53 forms foci and co-localizes with GP64 and the major capsid protein, VP39, at the cell membrane of AcMNPV infected cells. J Virol 85:9696-9707.
• Ampasala DR, Zheng S, Zhang D, Ladd T, Doucet D, Krell PJ, Retnakaran A, Feng Q. 2011. An epidermis-specific chitin synthase CDNA in Choristoneura fumiferana: cloning, characterization, developmental and hormonal-regulated expression. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol. 76:83-96.
• Hodgson, Jeff, Arif, Basil and Krell, Peter 2011. Interaction of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus proV-CATH with CHIA as a mechanism for proV-CATH cellular retention. J Virol.85:3918-3029 (cited as a SPOTLIGHT paper in this volume)
• Song C. Krell, P. Yoo, D. 2010. Nonstructural portein 1α subunit-based inhibition of NFκB activation and suppression of intrferon-ß production by porcine reproductive and respiratory sundrome virus. Virology 407:268-280.

• MICR*3330 The World of Viruses
• MICR*4330 Molecular Virology
• MCB*6330 Molecular Biology of Viruses

Graduate Students

• Yang Liu (PhD)
• James Ackford (MSc)
• Michael Norris (visiting PhD from Toronto)

Postdoctoral Fellows

• Jun Duan (NRCan Sault Ste Marie)
• Shajahan Johny (NRCan Sault Ste Marie)
• Fayuan Wen (NRCan Sault Ste Marie)