Related Experiment Videos
Molecular evolution of Puumala hantavirus
T Sironen1, A Vaheri, A Plyusnin
1Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Journal of Virology
|November 2, 2001
Summary
Puumala virus (PUUV) genetic analysis reveals seven distinct lineages across Europe and Asia, with geographical clustering and evidence of recombination. This hantavirus exhibits slow, stable evolution.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Puumala virus (PUUV) is a significant hantavirus within the Bunyaviridae family.
- Understanding PUUV genetic diversity is crucial for tracking its spread and evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Puumala virus (PUUV) S segment sequences.
- To identify distinct genetic lineages and geographical clustering of PUUV variants.
- To investigate evidence of recombination and evolutionary rates within PUUV.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of 42 complete S segment sequences of PUUV.
- Examination of sequences from European countries, Russia, and Japan.
- Molecular clock analysis to determine evolutionary rates.
Main Results:
- Identification of seven distinct, well-supported PUUV genetic lineages with geographical clustering.
- Observation of a star-like overall phylogeny suggesting early lineage divergence.
- Evidence of intralineage recombination in Finnish, Russian, Danish, and Belgian lineages.
- Detection of slow PUUV evolution (0.7 x 10(-7) to 2.2 x 10(-6) nt substitutions/site/year).
Conclusions:
- PUUV exhibits significant genetic structuring into distinct lineages across its geographical range.
- The Finnish and Russian lineages show close evolutionary connections.
- PUUV demonstrates a stable and slow evolutionary trajectory, impacting its epidemiology.