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Papillomaviruses: different genes have different histories.
Santiago García-Vallvé1, Angel Alonso, Ignacio G Bravo
1Evolutionary Genomics Group, Biochemistry and Biotechnology Department, Rovira i Virgili University (URV), c/ Marcel-li Domingo, s/n. Campus Sescelades, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
Trends in Microbiology
|September 27, 2005
Summary
Papillomaviruses (PVs) have a modular genome that evolved through the addition of gene blocks. This explains differing evolutionary rates, impacting PV biology and infection epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Papillomaviruses (PVs) infect vertebrate squamous epithelia, with some linked to cancers and benign lesions.
- PVs were previously assumed to coevolve with their hosts.
- Recent findings indicate distinct evolutionary histories for different PV genomic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an evolutionary framework integrating PV genome evolution, PV biology, and infection epidemiology.
- To explain the modular nature of the PV genome and its impact on evolutionary rates.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of differing evolutionary histories across PV genomic regions.
- Examination of the modular genome structure and gene block addition.
- Comparison of evolutionary rates between older (E1, E2, L2, L1) and newer (E5, E6, E7) PV genes.
Main Results:
- The PV genome exhibits a modular structure, formed by the sequential addition of pre-existing gene blocks.
- Different genomic regions and genes within PVs display distinct evolutionary trajectories.
- Newly acquired genes (E5, E6, E7) exhibit faster divergence rates compared to older genes (E1, E2, L2, L1).
Conclusions:
- The modular evolution of the PV genome provides a framework for understanding PV biology and epidemiology.
- Differential gene evolutionary rates are a consequence of the genome's modular assembly.
- This evolutionary perspective is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis and spread of PV infections.