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Genetic diversity and molecular evolution of the major human metapneumovirus surface glycoproteins over a decade

Jesse Papenburg1, Julie Carbonneau, Sandra Isabel

  • 1Centre de recherche en infectiologie de l'Université Laval, Centre de recherche du CHUQ, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Journal of Clinical Virology : the Official Publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology
|September 18, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) evolves, with varying lineages circulating annually. The HMPV-F protein is conserved and under purifying selection, while the HMPV-G protein shows diversity and positive selection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a significant global cause of respiratory infections.
  • HMPV belongs to the paramyxovirus family.
  • Understanding HMPV evolution is crucial for developing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular evolution of HMPV fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins.
  • To identify targets for HMPV vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and antivirals.

Main Methods:

  • Sequencing of HMPV-F and HMPV-G genes from nasopharyngeal aspirates collected in Quebec City (2001-2010).
  • Inclusion of sequences from GenBank and other studies for comprehensive evolutionary analysis.
  • Phylogenetic reconstruction, sequence identity assessment, recombination detection, and adaptive evolution analysis were performed.

Main Results:

  • Five distinct genetic lineages (A1, A2a, A2b, B1, B2) of HMPV were identified, with multiple lineages co-circulating annually.
  • The HMPV-F protein demonstrated high conservation and strong purifying selection.
  • The HMPV-G protein exhibited greater genetic diversity with evidence of positive selection in its ectodomain.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating HMPV lineages fluctuate yearly, impacting public health.
  • The conserved nature of HMPV-F suggests it as a stable target for therapeutic development.
  • The variability in HMPV-G highlights its potential role in viral adaptation and immune evasion.
Keywords:
Attachment (G) proteinCHUQCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de QuébecFusion (F) proteinGenetic selectionHMPVHuman metapneumovirusPhylogenyRT-PCRRTIhuman metapneumovirusrespiratory tract infectionreverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

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