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Engineering and Evolution of Synthetic Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Gene Therapy Vectors via DNA Family Shuffling
Published on: April 2, 2012
Molecular evolution of adenoviruses
1Veterinary Medical Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 18, 1581 Budapest, Hungary. benko@novell.vmri.hu
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|May 16, 2003
Summary
Genetic characterization reveals adenoviruses exhibit wider host range and pathogenicity variations than previously known. These findings suggest ancient origins and co-evolution with vertebrate hosts.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Adenoviruses are a diverse group of viruses with significant impact on various hosts.
- Previous studies on human adenoviruses suggested limited variations in host range and pathogenicity.
- Recent genetic characterization of adenoviruses from diverse animal species necessitates a re-evaluation of their diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize new advances in the genetic characterization of adenoviruses from different animal species.
- To explore the wide variations in host range, specificity, pathogenicity, and genomic features of adenoviruses.
- To investigate the evolutionary origins and diversification of adenoviruses.
Main Methods:
- Genomic and phylogenetic analyses of adenoviruses from various vertebrate species.
- Comparative analysis of viral gene complements and genomic arrangements.
- Review of existing literature on adenovirus genetic characterization.
Main Results:
- Adenoviruses display a much wider range of variations in host specificity, pathogenicity, and genomic structure than previously understood.
- Exceptional adenoviruses previously classified within conventional genera are proposed for reclassification into at least two new genera.
- Genomic and phylogenetic analyses suggest five major adenovirus clusters corresponding to the five classes of vertebrates.
- Evidence indicates a potential common origin with enterobacterium phages (Tectiviridae) and ancient co-evolution with vertebrate hosts.
Conclusions:
- The genetic diversity and evolutionary history of adenoviruses are more complex than previously recognized.
- Reclassification of certain adenoviruses into new genera is warranted based on genetic and phylogenetic data.
- Adenoviruses likely originated early in vertebrate evolution and have co-evolved with their hosts, suggesting a deep evolutionary connection.
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