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Labutin A, Heckel G. Genome-wide support for incipient Tula hantavirus species within a single rodent host lineage. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae002. [PMID: 38361825 PMCID: PMC10868551 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary divergence of viruses is most commonly driven by co-divergence with their hosts or through isolation of transmission after host shifts. It remains mostly unknown, however, whether divergent phylogenetic clades within named virus species represent functionally equivalent byproducts of high evolutionary rates or rather incipient virus species. Here, we test these alternatives with genomic data from two widespread phylogenetic clades in Tula orthohantavirus (TULV) within a single evolutionary lineage of their natural rodent host, the common vole Microtus arvalis. We examined voles from forty-two locations in the contact region between clades for TULV infection by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Sequencing yielded twenty-three TULV Central North and twenty-one TULV Central South genomes, which differed by 14.9-18.5 per cent at the nucleotide and 2.2-3.7 per cent at the amino acid (AA) level without evidence of recombination or reassortment between clades. Geographic cline analyses demonstrated an abrupt (<1 km wide) transition between the parapatric TULV clades in continuous landscape. This transition was located within the Central mitochondrial lineage of M. arvalis, and genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms showed gradual mixing of host populations across it. Genomic differentiation of hosts was much weaker across the TULV Central North to South transition than across the nearby hybrid zone between two evolutionary lineages in the host. We suggest that these parapatric TULV clades represent functionally distinct, incipient species, which are likely differently affected by genetic polymorphisms in the host. This highlights the potential of natural viral contact zones as systems for investigating the genetic and evolutionary factors enabling or restricting the transmission of RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Labutin
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, Bern 3012, Switzerland
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Nippert S, Rubbenstroth D, Geers JA, Ebinger A, Hoffmann D, Breithaupt A, Wylezich C, Wang X, Haring VC, Starcky P, Fruci P, Langner C, Trapp C, Schulz H, Stubbe W, Imholt C, Heckel G, Beer M, Pfaff F, Ulrich RG. Continuous presence of genetically diverse rustrela virus lineages in yellow-necked field mouse reservoir populations in northeastern Germany. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead048. [PMID: 37744713 PMCID: PMC10516363 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Rustrela virus (RusV; species Rubivirus strelense, family Matonaviridae) was discovered in different zoo animal species affected by fatal encephalitis. Simultaneous RusV RNA detection in multiple yellow-necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis) suggested this rodent as a reservoir of RusV. Here, we investigated 1,264 yellow-necked field mice and sympatric other small mammals from different regions in Germany for RusV RNA using an optimized reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) protocol and high-throughput sequencing. The investigation resulted in the detection of RusV RNA exclusively in 50 of 396 (12.6 per cent) yellow-necked field mice but absence in other sympatric species. RT-qPCR-determined tissue distribution of RusV RNA revealed the highest viral loads in the central nervous system, with other tissues being only very rarely affected. The histopathological evaluation did not reveal any hints of encephalitis in the brains of infected animals despite the detection of viral RNA in neurons by in situ hybridization (ISH). The positive association between the body mass of yellow-necked field mice and RusV RNA detection suggests a persistent infection. Phylogenetic analysis of partial E1 and full-genome sequences showed a high diversification with at least four RusV lineages (1A-1D) in northeastern Germany. Moreover, phylogenetic and isolation-by-distance analyses indicated evolutionary processes of RusV mostly in local reservoir populations. A comparison of complete genome sequences from all detected RusV lineages demonstrated a high level of amino acid and nucleotide sequence variability within a part of the p150 peptide of the non-structural polyprotein and its coding sequence, respectively. The location of this region within the RusV genome and its genetic properties were comparable to the hypervariable region of the rubella virus. The broad range of detected RusV spillover hosts in combination with its geographical distribution in northeastern Germany requires the assessment of its zoonotic potential and further analysis of encephalitis cases in mammals. Future studies have to prove a putative co-evolution scenario for RusV in the yellow-necked field mouse reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Nippert
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Dennis Rubbenstroth
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Jessica Anna Geers
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Arnt Ebinger
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Xuejing Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstraße 6, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - Viola C Haring
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Philip Starcky
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Paola Fruci
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini 1, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Christoph Langner
- Stralsund Zoological Garden, Grünhufer Bogen 2, Stralsund 18437, Germany
| | - Christin Trapp
- Tierpark Grimmen, Friedrichstraße 20, Grimmen 18507, Germany
| | - Heiko Schulz
- Betriebsteil Forstplanung/Versuchswesen/Informationssysteme, Landesforst Mecklenburg-Vorpommern—Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts, Zeppelinstraße 3, Schwerin 19061, Germany
| | - Wilko Stubbe
- Institut für Allgemeine und Systematische Zoologie, Universität Greifswald, Loitzer Straße 26, Greifswald 17489, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Rodent Research, Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Toppheideweg 88, Münster 48161, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstraße 6, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Florian Pfaff
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
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Wang X, Peischl S, Heckel G. Demographic history and genomic consequences of 10,000 generations of isolation in a wild mammal. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2051-2062.e4. [PMID: 37178689 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Increased human activities caused the isolation of populations in many species-often associated with genetic depletion and negative fitness effects. The effects of isolation are predicted by theory, but long-term data from natural populations are scarce. We show, with full genome sequences, that common voles (Microtus arvalis) in the Orkney archipelago have remained genetically isolated from conspecifics in continental Europe since their introduction by humans over 5,000 years ago. Modern Orkney vole populations are genetically highly differentiated from continental conspecifics as a result of genetic drift processes. Colonization likely started on the biggest Orkney island and vole populations on smaller islands were gradually split off, without signs of secondary admixture. Despite having large modern population sizes, Orkney voles are genetically depauperate and successive introductions to smaller islands resulted in further reduction of genetic diversity. We detected high levels of fixation of predicted deleterious variation compared with continental populations, particularly on smaller islands, yet the fitness effects realized in nature are unknown. Simulations showed that predominantly mildly deleterious mutations were fixed in populations, while highly deleterious mutations were purged early in the history of the Orkney population. Relaxation of selection overall due to benign environmental conditions on the islands and the effects of soft selection may have contributed to the repeated, successful establishment of Orkney voles despite potential fitness loss. Furthermore, the specific life history of these small mammals, resulting in relatively large population sizes, has probably been important for their long-term persistence in full isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Peischl
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Amphipôle, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Amphipôle, Quartier UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Molecular Characterisation and Phylogeny of Tula Virus in Kazakhstan. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061258. [PMID: 35746729 PMCID: PMC9230364 DOI: 10.3390/v14061258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Orthohantaviruses are zoonotic pathogens that play a significant role in public health. These viruses can cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Eurasia. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, the first human cases were registered in the year 2000 in the West Kazakhstan region. Small mammals can be reservoirs of orthohantaviruses. Previous studies showed orthohantavirus antigens in wild-living small mammals in four districts of West Kazakhstan. Clinical studies suggested that there might be further regions with human orthohantavirus infections in Kazakhstan, but genetic data of orthohantaviruses in natural foci are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate small mammals for the presence of orthohantaviruses by molecular biological methods and to provide a phylogenetic characterization of the circulating strains in Kazakhstan. Small mammals were trapped at 19 sites in West Kazakhstan, four in Almaty region and at seven sites around Almaty city during all seasons of 2018 and 2019. Lung tissues of small mammals were homogenized and RNA was extracted. Orthohantavirus RT-PCR assays were applied for detection of partial S and L segment sequences. Results were compared to published fragments. In total, 621 small mammals from 11 species were analysed. Among the collected small mammals, 2.4% tested positive for orthohantavirus RNA, one sample from West Kazakhstan and 14 samples from Almaty region. None of the rodents caught in Almaty city were infected. Sequencing parts of the small (S) and large (L) segments specified Tula virus (TULV) in these two regions. Our data show that geographical distribution of TULV is more extended as previously thought. The detected sequences were found to be split in two distinct genetic clusters of TULV in West Kazakhstan and Almaty region. TULV was detected in the common vole (Microtus arvalis) and for the first time in two individuals of the forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula), interpreted as a spill-over infection in Kazakhstan.
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Saxenhofer M, Labutin A, White TA, Heckel G. Host genetic factors associated with the range limit of a European hantavirus. Mol Ecol 2021; 31:252-265. [PMID: 34614264 PMCID: PMC9298007 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The natural host ranges of many viruses are restricted to very specific taxa. Little is known about the molecular barriers between species that lead to the establishment of this restriction or generally prevent virus emergence in new hosts. Here, we identify genomic polymorphisms in a natural rodent host associated with a strong genetic barrier to the transmission of European Tula orthohantavirus (TULV). We analysed the very abrupt spatial transition between two major phylogenetic clades in TULV across the comparatively much wider natural hybrid zone between evolutionary lineages of their reservoir host, the common vole (Microtus arvalis). Genomic scans of 79,225 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 323 TULV‐infected host individuals detected 30 SNPs that were consistently associated with the TULV clades CEN.S or EST.S in two replicate sampling transects. Focusing the analysis on 199 voles with evidence of genomic admixture at the individual level (0.1–0.9) supported statistical significance for all 30 loci. Host genomic variation at these SNPs explained up to 37.6% of clade‐specific TULV infections. Genes in the vicinity of associated SNPs include SAHH, ITCH and two members of the Syngr gene family, which are involved in functions related to immune response or membrane transport. This study demonstrates the relevance of natural hybrid zones as systems not only for studying processes of evolutionary divergence and speciation, but also for the detection of evolving genetic barriers for specialized parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Saxenhofer
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge - Bâtiment Génopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anton Labutin
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas A White
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge - Bâtiment Génopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
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