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Surján A, Harrach B, Vidovszky MZ. Complete genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis of a novel polyomavirus detected in Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber). INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 123:105620. [PMID: 38876268 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), native to Hungary, faced local extinction in 1865 and was successfully reintroduced between mid-1980s and 2008. Despite screening programs focusing on animal health during reintroduction in other countries, information about viruses in the Hungarian beaver population remains limited. Polyomaviruses (PyVs) have been identified in various rodents, and have been detected just recently in beavers by us. In this paper we present the full genome analysis of the first PyV detected in Eurasian beaver. The novel PyV was discovered in the kidney tissues of two specimens. The genome is 5244 bp, and contains four genes. Small T-antigen (STAg) and alternative large T ORF (ALTO) genes are directly fused together forming the middle T-antigen (MTAg). VP3 is absent from the genome. Its large T-antigen (LTAg) coding sequence exhibited over 15% genetic divergence from known PyVs, supporting its classification into a new species within the genus Alphapolyomavirus, suggesting to be named Alphapolyomavirus castoris. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the LTAg gene showed, that the beaver PyV forms a distinct clade with primate PyVs within the genus Alphapolyomavirus, separate from other rodent PyVs. Phylogenetic study of the VP1 gene however showed this virus to belong in a distinct clade with the same primate PyVs, and additionally PyVs from rodents and a myocastor, which suggest host virus co-evolution. The virus detection of the euthanized beavers suggests an apathogenic persistent infections. The aquatic lifestyle of beavers may influence virus transmission, warranting further exploration of undiscovered viruses in beavers.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Surján
- HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungária krt. 21, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Balázs Harrach
- HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungária krt. 21, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márton Z Vidovszky
- HUN-REN Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungária krt. 21, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary
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Aghebatrafat AA, Lauber C, Merkel K, Fruth B, Langergraber K, Robbins MM, Wittig RM, Leendertz FH, Calvignac-Spencer S. Evolutionary Insight into the Association between New Jersey Polyomavirus and Humans. Viruses 2023; 15:2248. [PMID: 38005925 PMCID: PMC10675294 DOI: 10.3390/v15112248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in viral discovery techniques have led to the identification of numerous novel viruses in human samples. However, the low prevalence of certain viruses in humans raises doubts about their association with our species. To ascertain the authenticity of a virus as a genuine human-infecting agent, it can be useful to investigate the diversification of its lineage within hominines, the group encompassing humans and African great apes. Building upon this rationale, we examined the case of the New Jersey polyomavirus (NJPyV; Alphapolyomavirus terdecihominis), which has only been detected in a single patient thus far. In this study, we obtained and analyzed sequences from closely related viruses infecting all African great ape species. We show that NJPyV nests within the diversity of these viruses and that its lineage placement is compatible with an ancient origin in humans, despite its apparent rarity in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aref-Abdolllah Aghebatrafat
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.-A.A.); (K.M.); (F.H.L.)
| | - Chris Lauber
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between Medical School Hannover (MHH) and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Cluster of Excellence 2155 RESIST, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kevin Merkel
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.-A.A.); (K.M.); (F.H.L.)
| | - Barbara Fruth
- Max-Planck-Institute of Animal Behavior, 78467 Konstanz, Germany;
- Centre for Research and Conservation/KMDA, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
- Faculty of Science, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Kevin Langergraber
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change and Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA;
| | - Martha M. Robbins
- Departement of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Roman M. Wittig
- Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan 1303, Côte d’Ivoire;
- The Ape Social Mind Lab, Institut des Sciences Cognitives, CNRS UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Fabian H. Leendertz
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.-A.A.); (K.M.); (F.H.L.)
- Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 17489 Greifswald, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sébastien Calvignac-Spencer
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.-A.A.); (K.M.); (F.H.L.)
- Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 17489 Greifswald, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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Surján A, Gonzalez G, Gellért Á, Boldogh S, Carr MJ, Harrach B, Vidovszky MZ. First detection and genome analysis of simple nosed bat polyomaviruses in Central Europe. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 112:105439. [PMID: 37105345 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Polyomaviruses (PyVs) are known to infect a diverse range of vertebrate host species. We report the discovery of PyVs in vesper bats (family Vespertilionidae) from sampling in Central Europe. Seven partial VP1 sequences from different PyVs were detected in samples originating from six distinct vesper bat species. Using a methodology based on conserved segments within the major capsid virus protein 1 (VP1) among known PyVs, the complete genomes of two different novel bat PyVs were determined. The genetic distances of the large T antigen coding sequences from these PyVs compared to previously-described bat PyVs exceeded 15% meriting classification as representatives of two novel PyV species: Alphapolyomavirus epserotinus and Alphapolyomavirus myodaubentonii. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both belong to the genus Alphapolyomavirus and clustered together with high confidence in clades including other bat alphapolyomaviruses reported from China, South America and Africa. In silico protein modeling of the VP1 subunits and capsid pentamers, and electrostatic surface potential comparison of the pentamers showed significant differences between the reference template (murine polyomavirus) and the novel bat PyVs. An electrostatic potential difference pattern between the two bat VP1 pentamers was also revealed. Disaccharide molecular docking studies showed that the reference template and both bat PyVs possess the typical shallow sialic acid-binding site located between two VP1 subunits, with relevant oligosaccharide-binding affinities. The characterisation of these novel bat PyVs and the reported properties of their capsid proteins will potentially contribute in the elucidation of the conditions creating the host-pathogen restrictions associated with these viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Surján
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Eötvös Lóránd Research Network (ELKH), Hungária krt. 21, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Gabriel Gonzalez
- UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Japan Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers, Hokkaido University, Institute for Vaccine Research and Development, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ákos Gellért
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Eötvös Lóránd Research Network (ELKH), Hungária krt. 21, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Michael J Carr
- UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan
| | - Balázs Harrach
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Eötvös Lóránd Research Network (ELKH), Hungária krt. 21, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márton Z Vidovszky
- Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Eötvös Lóránd Research Network (ELKH), Hungária krt. 21, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary
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Virus Diversity, Abundance, and Evolution in Three Different Bat Colonies in Switzerland. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091911. [PMID: 36146717 PMCID: PMC9505930 DOI: 10.3390/v14091911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are increasingly recognized as reservoirs for many different viruses that threaten public health, such as Hendravirus, Ebolavirus, Nipahvirus, and SARS- and MERS-coronavirus. To assess spillover risk, viromes of bats from different parts of the world have been investigated in the past. As opposed to most of these prior studies, which determined the bat virome at a single time point, the current work was performed to monitor changes over time. Specifically, fecal samples of three endemic Swiss bat colonies consisting of three different bat species were collected over three years and analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Furthermore, single nucleotide variants of selected DNA and RNA viruses were analyzed to investigate virus genome evolution. In total, sequences of 22 different virus families were found, of which 13 are known to infect vertebrates. Most interestingly, in a Vespertilio murinus colony, sequences from a MERS-related beta-coronavirus were consistently detected over three consecutive years, which allowed us to investigate viral genome evolution in a natural reservoir host.
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Update on Potentially Zoonotic Viruses of European Bats. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070690. [PMID: 34201666 PMCID: PMC8310327 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats have been increasingly gaining attention as potential reservoir hosts of some of the most virulent viruses known. Numerous review articles summarize bats as potential reservoir hosts of human-pathogenic zoonotic viruses. For European bats, just one review article is available that we published in 2014. The present review provides an update on the earlier article and summarizes the most important viruses found in European bats and their possible implications for Public Health. We identify the research gaps and recommend monitoring of these viruses.
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