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Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
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Evolution and Genetic Diversity of Primate Cytomegaloviruses

Rachele Cagliani1, Diego Forni1, Alessandra Mozzi1

  • 1Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bioinformatics, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy.

Microorganisms
|April 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) exhibit significant genetic diversity, particularly outside of core genes, influencing their species-specific adaptations. Understanding viral genetics is crucial for human disease research.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Genomics
  • Mammalian Pathogens

Background:

  • Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) infect numerous mammals, including humans and non-human primates (NHPs).
  • Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a significant opportunistic pathogen and a leading cause of congenital defects.
  • CMVs display high genetic diversity and complex host-specific interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genomic diversity of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and non-human primate CMVs (NHP-CMVs).
  • To understand the role of genetic variability in CMV species-specificity and host adaptation.
  • To identify knowledge gaps concerning viral genetics in HCMV-associated human diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomic analysis of HCMV and NHP-CMV strains.
  • Sequencing of clinical HCMV samples.
  • Analysis of gene content variability, focusing on core vs. non-core genes.

Main Results:

  • CMV genomes show substantial plasticity and diversity in gene content, excluding conserved core genes.
  • Variability in non-core genes likely drives species-specificity and lifelong host persistence.
  • Conserved core genes also undergo adaptive evolution, contributing to host adaptation.

Conclusions:

  • CMV genetic diversity, particularly in non-core genes, is a key factor in their host specificity and persistence.
  • Adaptive evolution in core genes also plays a role in host adaptation.
  • Further research is needed on the impact of viral genetics on HCMV-related human diseases.
Keywords:
cytomegalovirusgenome organizationnon–human primatespositive selectionspecies–specificity

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