Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
06:25
Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
Published on: December 23, 2016
Glycoprotein gene sequence variation in rhesus monkey rhadinovirus
Young C Shin1, Leandro R Jones, Julieta Manrique
1New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, MA 01772-9102, USA.
Virology
|February 23, 2010
Summary
Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) gene analysis reveals two distinct phylogenetic groups for glycoproteins H and L, suggesting specific sequence matching is crucial for their function. Glycoprotein B showed independent evolutionary patterns.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) is a rhadinovirus, closely related to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).
- Glycoproteins H (gH) and L (gL) are known to interact and play critical roles in herpesvirus entry and infection.
- Understanding the genetic diversity of RRV glycoproteins is essential for comprehending its evolutionary pathways and pathogenic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the genetic sequences of seven glycoproteins from multiple RRV isolates.
- To compare RRV glycoprotein genes with those of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).
- To investigate the phylogenetic relationships and potential functional implications of sequence variations in RRV glycoproteins.
Main Methods:
- Gene sequencing of seven glycoproteins from 20 RRV isolates and nine KSHV strains.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary relationships among RRV glycoprotein sequences.
- Comparative analysis of RRV and KSHV glycoprotein gene sequences.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analysis identified two distinct groupings for RRV gH (gH(a), gH(b)) and gL (gL(a), gL(b)) sequences.
- RRV gH and gL sequences consistently grouped together, with gH(a) always paired with gL(a) and gH(b) with gL(b) within isolates.
- RRV gB sequences exhibited two distinct phylogenetic groupings, but these were not associated with the gH/gL groupings.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates two distinct, distantly related phylogenetic lineages for RRV gH and gL.
- The consistent pairing of specific gH and gL sequence types suggests a requirement for sequence matching for functional interaction.
- RRV gB evolution appears independent of gH/gL co-evolutionary patterns.
Related Concept Videos
00:36Viral Mutations
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
02:28Leaky Scanning
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
02:33Retroviruses
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
02:32Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...