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Frequent nonhomologous replacement of replicative helicase loaders by viruses in Vibrionaceae.

Several microbial genomes lack textbook-defined essential genes. If an essential gene is absent from a genome, then an evolutionarily independent gene of unknown function complements its function. Here, we identified frequent nonhomologous replacement of an essential component of DNA replication initiation, a replicative helicase loader gene, in Vibrionaceae. Our analysis of Vibrionaceae genomes revealed two genes with unknown function, named vdhL1 and vdhL2, that were substantially enriched in genomes without the known helicase-loader genes. These genes showed no sequence similarities to genes with known function but encoded proteins structurally similar with a viral helicase loader. Analyses of genomic syntenies and coevolution with helicase genes suggested that vdhL1/2 encodes a helicase loader. The in vitro assay showed that Vibrio harveyi VdhL1 and Vibrio ezurae VdhL2 promote the helicase activity of DnaB. Furthermore, molecular phylogenetics suggested that vdhL1/2 were derived from phages and replaced an intrinsic helicase loader gene of Vibrionaceae over 20 times. This high replacement frequency implies the host's advantage in acquiring a viral helicase loader gene.

Vibrionaceae↗

Expression of hepatitis C virus hypervariable region 1 and its clinical significance.

AIM: To explore the properties of hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in the envelope 2 gene of hepatitis C virus by analyzing the reactivity of HVR1 fusion proteins from different Chinese HCV strains with sera of patients with chronic hepatitis C and by comparing their reactivity between interferon therapy responders and non-responders. METHODS: Gene fragments of HVR1 of four HCV strains (three genotype 1b and one genotype 2a) were amplified from pGEMT-E2 plasmids and sub-cloned into pQE40 vectors respectively to construct recombinant expression plasmids which expressed HVR1 fused downstream to DHFR in Escherichia coli strain TG1. The purified DHFR- HVR1 proteins were then used to detect the anti-HVR1 antibodies in 70 serum samples of patients with chronic hepatitis C. RESULTS: Four DHFR- HVR1 fusion proteins were successfully expressed in E.coli (320-800 ug fusion proteins per 100 ml culture). Each fusion protein (SH1b, BJ1b, SD1b and SD2a) reacted with 72.8 % (51/70), 60 % (42/70), 48.6 % (34/70), and 58.6 % (41/30) of the anti-HCV positive patients' sera respectively by ELISA. 57 % (4/7) of non responders reacted with all four HVR1 fusion proteins, while only 15.3 % (2/13) of responders reacted with all of them. The O.D. values of sera from IFN therapy responders were significantly higher than those of non responders (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The selected HVR1 fusion proteins expressed in E. coli can broadly react with HCV-infected patients' sera. The intensity and/or quality of the immune response against HCV may be a critical factor determining the response to interferon treatment. With the evolution of virus strains, anti-HVR1 antibodies can not neutralize all the quasispecies. A polyvalent and high immunogenic vaccine comprising a mixture of several HVR1 sequences that cover the reactivity of most HCV isolates may be useful.

Adult↗

Widespread adaptive evolution in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genome.

We investigated variable selective pressures among amino acid sites in HIV-1 genes. Selective pressure at the amino acid level was measured by using the nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution rate ratio (omega = dN/dS). To identify amino acid sites under positive selection with omega > 1, we applied maximum likelihood models that allow variable omega ratios among sites to analyze genomic sequences of 26 HIV-1 lineages including subtypes A, B, and C. Likelihood ratio tests detected sites under positive selection in each of the major genes in the genome: env, gag, pol, vif, and vpr. Positive selection was also detected in nef, tat, and vpu, although those genes are very small. The majority of positive selection sites is located in gp160. Positive selection was not detected if omega was estimated as an average across all sites, indicating the lack of power of the averaging approach. Candidate positive selection sites were mapped onto the available protein tertiary structures and immunogenic epitopes. We measured the physiochemical properties of amino acids and found that those at positive selection sites were more diverse than those at variable sites. Furthermore, amino acid residues at exposed positive selection sites were more physiochemically diverse than at buried positive selection sites. Our results demonstrate genomewide diversifying selection acting on the HIV-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phylogeography and molecular evolution of dengue 2 in the Caribbean basin, 1981-2000.

We sequenced the envelope (E) genes of 59 DEN-2 isolates collected from ten Caribbean islands, six South American countries, and two Central American countries between 1981 and 2000, a period characterized by hyperendemicity and increased incidence of severe dengue. Fifty-two isolates belonged to "American/Asian" subtype IIIb, possessing a characteristic polar residue at envelope aa position 390 (N [n = 48] or S [n = 4]) common to that group. Six isolates from Trinidad (1981), Honduras (1991 [4]), and El Salvador (1987) fell into the "Native American" subtype V (D at aa 390), and one from Honduras (1986) belonged to "Asian" subtype I. The data suggest that after its first isolation in the Caribbean in 1981, genotype IIIb spread throughout the Americas and effectively replaced subtype V throughout the Caribbean basin. The strain also evolved into several distinct lineages, based on substitutions in the E glycoprotein (amino acids 91 and 131), two of which were still in circulation in 2000. Interestingly, a molecular clock did not fit the data well, suggesting that other sources of rate variation, such as differential selection or differences in effective population sizes, may exist among lineages. Our results indicate the importance of large temporal- and geographical-scale phylogenetic studies in understanding disease dynamics, particularly where replacements between regions can occur.

Caribbean Region↗

Viral load change and sequential evolution of entire hepatitis C virus genome in Irish recipients of single source-contaminated anti-D immunoglobulin*.

In hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, serum viral load is important in the prediction of therapeutic efficacy. However, factors that affect the viral load remain poorly understood. To identify viral genomic elements responsible for the viral load, we investigated samples from a population of Irish women who were iatrogenically infected from a single HCV source by administration of HCV 1b-contaminated anti-D immune globulin between 1977 and 1978 (Kenny-Walsh, N Engl J Med 1999; 340: 1228). About 15 patients were divided into two groups, viral load increasing group (11 patients) and decreasing group (4 patients). Pairs of sera were collected from each patient at interval between 1.1 and 5.8 years. Full-length sequences of HCV genome were determined, and analyzed for changes in each patient. Sliding window analysis showed that the decreasing group had significantly higher mutation rates in a short segment of NS5B region that may affect the activity of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. By comparing each coding regions, significantly higher mutation numbers were accumulated in NS5A region in the increasing group than the decreasing group (0.92 vs 0.16 nucleotides/site/year, P = 0.021). The mutation in certain positions of the HCV genome may be determinant factors of the viral load in a relatively homogeneous patient population.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tracing the evolution and diversity of human parvovirus B19 across human history.

Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is an ubiquitously spread, exclusively human pathogen, mainly posing risks to children, as well as pregnant and immunocompromised individuals. Despite evidence of B19V infection of human populations as far back as 7,000 years, the evolutionary history of B19V remains poorly understood. In this study, we present B19V genomic data from the remains of 53 globally distributed individuals spanning more than 8,000 years, including 7 children. Our findings suggest that the most recent common ancestor of all present B19V lineages existed around 12,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age. Additionally, we identified an extinct Eurasian clade that participated in the recombination event that led to the emergence of B19V genotype 2 (GT-2). We date this event to &#x223c;3,200-1,800 BP, potentially in the greater Mediterranean area. Our study shows aspects of how ancient parvovirus variants arose, disseminated, and impacted human health through time.

ancient DNA↗

Genome-scale evolution and phylodynamics of swine influenza A viruses in China: a genomic epidemiology study.

BACKGROUND: Pigs are recognised as crucial intermediate hosts for the emergence of influenza viruses of pandemic potential. As the largest pork-producing nation, China hosts a complex ecosystem of swine influenza viruses (SIVs). We aimed to investigate the evolutionary processes, spatiotemporal dynamics, and biological characteristics of SIVs in China. METHODS: From Jan 15, 2016, to Dec 22, 2020, we collected nasal swabs from pigs at eight abattoirs and 16 swine farms in the Guangdong, Henan, and Shandong provinces of China, as part of SIV surveillance. SIVs were detected with RT-PCR. Positive samples underwent viral isolation and genome sequencing. We analysed evolution and spatiotemporal dynamics using the whole genomes of isolated SIVs, as well as genome sequences of SIV isolates from human infections worldwide retrieved from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data and GenBank Flu databases up to April 28, 2024. Viral sequences without a sample collection area or date were excluded from the analysis. Viral receptor-binding properties and in-vitro replication of strains isolated in this study were evaluated with a solid-phase binding assay and various cell lines, including Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, porcine alveolar macrophages, primary porcine trachea epithelial cells, human bronchial epithelioid, and human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial (A549) cells. Viral replication and transmission studies were conducted in 33 guinea pigs and 13 pigs. Additionally, we collected serum samples from pig farm workers and members of the general public recruited by the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between Feb 28 and May 11, 2023, to detect specific antibodies against Eurasian avian-like A(H1) and human-like A(H3N2) SIVs using the haemagglutination inhibition assay. FINDINGS: 23 (1&#xb7;3%) of 1818 nasal swabs collected in abattoirs had SIVs; 22 (0&#xb7;9%) of 2375 swabs from swine farms had SIVs. Further viral isolation yielded 39 strains of SIV. We identified 534 A(H1N1), 69 A(H1N2), and 92 A(H3N2) SIVs, representing 20 genotypes within the Eurasian avian-like lineage, 14 within the classical swine A(H1) lineage, and 16 within the human-like A(H3N2) lineage. The introduction of the A(H1N1)pdm/09 virus significantly influenced the internal gene pool of SIVs, enhancing genotypic diversity in China. Notably, the Eurasian avian-like A(H1), classical swine A(H1), and human-like A(H3N2) lineages showed human-mediated spread over long distances between provinces, with the Eurasian avian-like A(H1) lineage showing the most prevalent spread pathways. Eurasian avian-like A(H1) SIVs showed a preference for binding to sialic acid &#x3b1;-2,6 glycan receptors, predominantly found in humans, resulting in an increased production of progeny viruses in human airway epithelial cells, as well as effective transmission and infectivity among guinea pigs and pigs. Among 54 eligible serum samples collected from pig farm workers (24 from slaughterhouses and 30 from swine farms), 23 (43%) were seropositive for Eurasian avian-like A(H1) SIVs and 46 (85%) for human-like A(H3N2) SIVs. Among 100 eligible samples from members of the general public, 14 (14%) were seropositive for Eurasian avian-like A(H1) SIVs and 85 (85%) for human-like A(H3N2) SIVs. INTERPRETATION: This study elucidates the evolutionary processes and spatiotemporal patterns of SIVs, highlighting potential risks to public health. These findings are crucial for informing public health interventions that aim to prevent future SIV epidemics in China and other countries worldwide. FUNDING: Scientific Innovation Strategy-Construction of High-Level Academy of Agriculture Science-Distinguished Scholar (R2020PY-JC001).

Animals↗

Evolution of multiple genome mutations during long-term persistent infection by vesicular stomatitis virus.

Persistent infection of BHK21 cells was established with cloned vesicular somatitis virus plus purified Dl particles and maintained in vitro for over 5 years. After 1 year of persistence, the infectious virus RNA genome had evolved several oligonucleotide map changes, and numerous changes had accumulated by 3.5 years. Additional evolution occurred by the fourth year and continued until the fifth year. In contrast, repeated passage of virus in acute infections of several cell types in vitro or in vivo did not lead to detectable oligonucleotide map changes. The short Dl particle originally used to co-infect with infectious virus in establishing persistent infection has been displaced by an ever present and constantly changing population of other Dl particles of differing sizes and radically differing oligonucleotide maps. We conclude that the genomes of both infectious VSV and its Dl particles undergo continuous evolutionary change during years of persistence. In the infectious virus, these changes involve hundreds of mutations which are usually expressed as poorly replicating, temperature-sensitive, small plaque mutants. These are stable mutants which do not revert to wild-type when passaged repeatedly in acute infections at 37 or 33 degrees C. It appears that the sequestered intracellular environment of persistently infected cells favors rapid and continuous virus evolution.

Animals↗

The influence of the human genome on chronic viral hepatitis outcome.

The mechanisms that determine viral clearance or viral persistence in chronic viral hepatitis have yet to be identified. Recent advances in molecular genetics have permitted the detection of variations in immune response, often associated with polymorphism in the human genome. Differences in host susceptibility to infectious disease and disease severity cannot be attributed solely to the virulence of microbial agents. Several recent advances concerning the influence of human genes in chronic viral hepatitis B and C are discussed in this article: a) the associations between human leukocyte antigen polymorphism and viral hepatic disease susceptibility or resistance; b) protective alleles influencing hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) evolution; c) prejudicial alleles influencing HBV and HCV; d) candidate genes associated with HBV and HCV evolution; d) other genetic factors that may contribute to chronic hepatitis C evolution (genes influencing hepatic stellate cells, TGF-beta 1 and TNF-alpha production, hepatic iron deposits and angiotensin II production, among others). Recent discoveries regarding genetic associations with chronic viral hepatitis may provide clues to understanding the development of end-stage complications such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. In the near future, analysis of the human genome will allow the elucidation of both the natural course of viral hepatitis and its response to therapy.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease↗

One-round determination of seven leukocyte subsets in rhesus macaque blood by flow cytometry.

BACKGROUND: Rhesus macaques are frequently used in biomedical research as experimental models for studying infectious diseases and for preclinical vaccination trials. The infection of these monkeys with simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) or simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIV) reproduces the clinical and immunological characteristics of human infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Evolution of the immune response in the infected animals is generally analyzed by determining the lymphocyte subsets on blood samples using flow cytometry but requiring multiple, blood consuming, determinations. METHODS: Cell subsets present in whole-blood samples were labeled with a combination of anti-human monoclonal antibodies to CD2, CD20, CD4, CD8, and CD14 coupled to FITC or PE and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In one round, we obtained the precise determination of macaque blood cell composition by flow cytometry. Monocytes, granulocytes, eosinophils, B lymphocytes, helper, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were distinguished. Results obtained correlated strongly with those obtained with conventional blood cell differential systems and with separate staining of lymphocytes. The analysis of blood from healthy rhesus macaques and SHIV-infected animals demonstrated the accuracy of the determination even in very pathological situations such as macaques with simian AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: Our method allows fast determination of the blood cell composition and will be particularly useful to evaluate the cell subset evolution of macaques involved in large-scale experimental trials.

Animals↗

Genetic variation in the 3' non-coding region of dengue viruses.

The 3' non-coding region (3'NCR) of strains of dengue 1 (DEN 1), DEN 2, DEN 3, and DEN 4 viruses, isolated in different geographical regions, was sequenced and compared to published sequences of the four dengue viruses. A total of 50 DEN 2 strains was compared: 7 West African strains, 3 Indonesian mosquito strains, 1 Indonesian macaque isolate, and 39 human isolates from Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean and Americas. Nucleotide sequence alignment revealed few deletions and no repeat sequences in the 3' NCR of DEN 2 viruses and showed that much of the 3' NCR was well conserved. The strains could be divided into two groups, sylvatic and human/mosquito/macaque, based on nucleotide sequence homology. A hypervariable region was identified immediately following the NS5 stop codon, which involved a 2-10 nucleotide deletion in human, mosquito, and macaque isolates compared with the sylvatic strains. The DEN 2 3'NCR was also compared with 3'NCR sequences from strains of DEN 1, DEN 3, and DEN 4 viruses. DEN 1 was found to have four copies of an eight nucleotide imperfect repeat following the NS5 stop codon, while DEN 4 virus had a deletion of 75 nucleotides in the 3'NCR. We propose that the variation in nucleotide sequence in the 3'NCR may have evolved as a function of DEN virus transmission and replication in different mosquito and non-human primate/human host cycles. The results from this study are consistent with the hypothesis that DEN viruses arose from sylvatic progenitors and evolved into human epidemic strains. However, the data do not support the hypothesis that variation in the 3'NCR correlates with DEN virus pathogenesis.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Directed evolution of adeno-associated virus for glioma cell transduction.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a serious form of brain cancer for which there is currently no effective treatment. Alternative strategies such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector mediated-genetic modification of brain tumor cells with genes encoding anti-tumor proteins have shown promising results in preclinical models of GBM, although the transduction efficiency of these tumors is often low. As higher transduction efficiency of tumor cells should lead to enhanced therapeutic efficacy, a means to rapidly engineer AAV vectors with improved transduction efficiency for individual tumors is an attractive strategy. Here we tested the possibility of identifying high-efficiency AAV vectors for human U87 glioma cells by selection in culture of a newly constructed chimeric AAV capsid library generated by DNA shuffling of six different AAV cap genes (AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, AAVrh.8, AAV9, AAVrh.10). After seven rounds of selection, we obtained a chimeric AAV capsid that transduces U87 cells at high efficiency (97% at a dose of 10(4) genome copies/cell), and at low doses it was 1.45-1.6-fold better than AAV2, which proved to be the most efficient parental capsid. Interestingly, the new AAV capsid displayed robust gene delivery properties to all glioma cells tested (including primary glioma cells) with relative fluorescence indices ranging from 1- to 14-fold higher than AAV2. The selected vector should be useful for in vitro glioma research when efficient transduction of several cell lines is required, and provides proof-of-concept that an AAV library can be used to generate AAV vectors with enhanced transduction efficiency of glioma cells.

Capsid Proteins↗

Virology: Gulliver among the Lilliputians.

The discovery and genome sequencing of the mimivirus, a parasite of Acanthamoeba, blurs the boundary between viruses and cells: the 1.2 Mb genome of the mimivirus is predicted to contain 1262 genes and is much bigger than the genomes of many parasitic bacteria.

Acanthamoeba↗

Evolution of bovine viral diarrhea virus vaccines.

Control of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection is economically important to the cattle industry because the virus causes a variety of clinical diseases that adversely affect essentially all stages of the production cycle. Production losses primarily stem from reproductive failure and from immunosuppression during acute BVDV infection, which predisposes calves to respiratory or enteric diseases. Control is achieved by implementing herd health pro-grams focused on limiting exposure by avoiding persistently infected (PI) carrier cattle and by optimizing protective immunity through immunization. Vaccination cannot be relied upon solely to protect against fetal infection and losses due to BVD. This is because no single BVDV vaccine has been shown to give complete fetal protection. In addition to strategic use of vaccines, herd management practices should also be implemented to identify and eliminate PI carrier cattle and to avoid exposure to BVDV infection.

Animals↗

Cytomegalovirus-encoded homologs of G protein-coupled receptors and chemokines.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) have developed various sophisticated strategies to manipulate and evade the defense mechanisms of their hosts. Among the CMV genes that are predicted to be involved in these strategies are genes that encode mimics of cellular proteins, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and chemokines (CKs). These genes may have been pirated from the host genome during the long co-evolution of virus and host. OBJECTIVES: In this report, the putative functions of the CMV-encoded homologs of GPCRs and CKs in the pathogenesis of infection will be discussed. STUDY DESIGN: In order to present an overview of the current state of knowledge, the literature on the CMV-encoded homologs of GPCRs and CKs was reviewed. RESULTS: The GPCR and CK homologs that are encoded by the CMVs represent immunomodulatory proteins with crucial roles in the pathogenesis of infection. CONCLUSIONS: In light of their function as well as accessibility on the cell surface, the CMV-encoded GPCR homologs are attractive targets for the development of new anti-viral therapies.

Chemokines↗