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Vaccinia Virus Infection & Temporal Analysis of Virus Gene Expression: Part 1
Published on: April 8, 2009
Analysis of the monkeypox virus genome.
S N Shchelkunov1, A V Totmenin, P F Safronov
1State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia.
Virology
|June 27, 2002
Summary
Monkeypox virus (MPV) genome analysis reveals its distinct orthopoxvirus species classification. MPV shares essential genes with other orthopoxviruses but possesses a unique subset of immunomodulatory and host range genes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Monkeypox virus (MPV) is an orthopoxvirus endemic in Africa, causing a smallpox-like human disease.
- MPV belongs to the Poxviridae family and the Orthopoxvirus genus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the structural features and open reading frames of the MPV genome.
- To compare the MPV genome with other orthopoxviruses, including variola virus.
Main Methods:
- Genome sequencing and analysis of the 196,858-bp MPV genome.
- Computer-assisted identification of open reading frames (ORFs) and structural features.
- Sequence comparison with known orthopoxvirus genomes.
Main Results:
- The MPV genome features identical, oppositely oriented terminal inverted repetitions (TIRs) of 6379 bp, containing telomere resolution sequences and short tandem repeats.
- 190 ORFs of >/=60 amino acid residues were identified, with four located within the TIRs.
- MPV possesses essential orthopoxvirus genes but only a subset of immunomodulatory and host range genes.
- Sequence comparisons confirmed MPV as a distinct orthopoxvirus species, not directly related to variola virus.
Conclusions:
- The MPV genome structure is characteristic of orthopoxviruses, including terminal inverted repetitions.
- MPV represents a distinct species within the orthopoxvirus genus, with a unique gene repertoire.
- MPV is evolutionarily distinct from variola virus, the smallpox agent.
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