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Published on: December 27, 2010
Molecular characterization of a Canadian human parechovirus (HPeV)-3 isolate and its relationship to other HPeVs
1Research Center in Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
Abstract:
A new member of the Parechovirus genus (HPeV-3) has been recently isolated from a stool specimen of a young Japanese child with transient paralysis (isolate A308/99). Three additional HPeV-3 Canadian cases associated with severe neonatal infections were subsequently described by our group. At this time, limited information is available on the molecular characterization of the HPeV-3 genome. In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of a Canadian HPeV-3 isolate (Can82853-01) recovered in 2001 from the nasopharyngeal aspirate of a neonate with a sepsis-like syndrome. The Can82853-01 genome was 7,322 nucleotides (nt) in length and had 96.4%, 77.7%, and 77.5% nt identity with the A308/99 (HPeV-3), HPeV-1, and HPeV-2 reference strains, respectively. Furthermore, the Can82853-01 polyprotein had 98.2%, 86.9%, and 84.7% amino acids identity compared to the same viruses. Most differences between the polyproteins of HPeV-3 isolates and those of HPeV-1 and -2 were located in the VP0-VP3-VP1 capsid region whereas the non-structural proteins were relatively conserved. The primary and predicted secondary structures of 5'UTR and 3'UTR of the HPeV-3 isolates were also different than those of HPeV-1 and -2 reference strains. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the relatedness between Can82853-01 and A308/99 and their divergence from other picornaviruses.
Insights
This study details the complete genome sequence of a novel human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV-3) isolate from Canada. The findings provide crucial molecular data on HPeV-3, aiding in understanding its genetic diversity and relationship to other parechoviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV-3) is a recently identified pathogen.
- Previous HPeV-3 isolates were linked to transient paralysis and severe neonatal infections.
- Limited molecular data existed for HPeV-3 genomes prior to this study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the complete genome sequence of a Canadian HPeV-3 isolate (Can82853-01).
- To perform molecular characterization and comparative analysis of the HPeV-3 genome.
- To understand the genetic relationship of HPeV-3 to other human parechoviruses.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of HPeV-3 from a neonate's nasopharyngeal aspirate.
- Whole-genome sequencing of the HPeV-3 isolate.
- Bioinformatic analysis including nucleotide and amino acid identity comparisons.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine viral relatedness.
Main Results:
- The complete genome of HPeV-3 isolate Can82853-01 was sequenced (7,322 nucleotides).
- High nucleotide and amino acid identity (96.4% and 98.2%) was observed between Can82853-01 and a Japanese HPeV-3 isolate.
- Significant genetic divergence was noted in the capsid region (VP0-VP3-VP1) and UTRs compared to HPeV-1 and HPeV-2.
- Phylogenetic analysis confirmed Can82853-01 clusters with other HPeV-3 strains, distinct from other picornaviruses.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the first complete genome sequence of a Canadian HPeV-3 isolate.
- Molecular characterization reveals conserved non-structural proteins but divergent capsid and UTR regions in HPeV-3.
- Findings contribute to understanding HPeV-3's genetic makeup and evolutionary relationships within the Parechovirus genus.
