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Phylogenetic analysis of SIV derived from mandrill and drill

Taichiro Takemura1, Masanori Hayami

  • 1Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|February 10, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) evolution is complex. New SIVmnd-2 strains in mandrills show mosaic structures, suggesting ancient recombination events with other SIVs, challenging previous lineage understanding.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Primatology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) in mandrills (SIVmnd) was initially considered a distinct lineage.
  • Recent discoveries revealed new SIV isolates from mandrills and drills, complicating the SIVmnd classification.
  • These new isolates form distinct groups, with some closely related to SIV from different primate genera.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the complex evolutionary history and origins of SIVmnd isolates.
  • To clarify the phylogenetic relationships between SIVmnd, SIVdrl, and related SIVs.
  • To understand the implications of genomic mosaicism in SIV evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of SIV genomic sequences.
  • Comparative genomic analysis to identify structural differences and mosaic patterns.
  • Recombination analysis to detect historical viral exchange.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct SIVmnd lineages identified: SIVmnd-1 and SIVmnd-2.
  • SIVmnd-1 clusters with SIVlhoest and SIVsun (genus Cercopithecus).
  • SIVmnd-2 and SIVdrl (drills) share a mosaic genome, including the vpx gene, absent in SIVmnd-1.
  • Genomic mosaicism in SIVmnd-2/SIVdrl likely resulted from ancient recombination with SIVrcm-like viruses.

Conclusions:

  • The SIVmnd lineage is more complex than previously thought, with distinct evolutionary paths.
  • SIVmnd-2 and SIVdrl represent ancient, potentially long-maintained lineages with evidence of interspecies recombination.
  • Understanding these complex SIV origins is crucial for tracing lentivirus evolution in primates.

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