Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
Published on: August 14, 2018
Phylogenetic analysis of Alphapapillomavirus based on L1, E6 and E7 regions suggests that carcinogenicity and tissue
Alexis Rojas-Cruz1, Alejandro Reyes-Bermúdez1
1Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia 180002, Colombia.
Abstract:
Members of the Alphapapillomavirus genus are causative agents for cervix cancer and benign lesions in humans. These viruses are classified according to sequence similarities in their L1 region. Yet, viral carcinogenicity has been associated with variations in the proteins encoded by the E6 and E7 genes. In order to relate evolutionary history with origin of carcinogenicity, we performed phylogenetic reconstructions using both nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of the L1, E6 and E7 genes. Whilst phylogenetic analysis of L1 reconstructed genus evolutionary history, phylogenies based on E6 and E7 proteins support the idea that mutations at amino acids S/Tx [V/L] (E6) and LxCxE (E7) might be responsible for carcinogenic potential. These findings indicate that virulence within Alphapapillomavirus have appeared multiple times during evolution. Our results reveal that oncogenic potential is not a monophyletic clade-specific adaptation but might be the result of positive selection on random mutations occurring on proteins involved in host infection during viral diversification.
Related Concept Videos
The Evidence for Evolution
Convergent Evolution
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity
Phylogenetic Trees
Viral Recombination
Viral Mutations

