Virome assembly and annotation in brain tissue based on next-generation sequencing.

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Virology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with controversial links to viral infections.
• Previous research primarily focused on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in GBM, lacking comprehensive brain virome assessments.
• The role of viruses in GBM pathogenesis remains unclear, necessitating a broader investigation of the brain's viral landscape.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively characterize the brain virome in GBM and normal brain samples.
• To identify viral signatures associated with GBM.
• To explore potential therapeutic targets based on viral findings.

Main Methods:

• Bioinformatic analysis of viral sequences from 111 GBM and 57 normal brain samples using data from the Sequence Read Archive (SRA).
• Utilized a tested and comprehensive assembly approach for viral genome reconstruction.
• Sequence annotation to identify viral families and novel viruses, including assessment for antibody epitopes.

Main Results:

• The majority of viral sequences identified in brain samples belonged to the viral family Retroviridae.
• A novel picornavirus with a full genome sequence was detected in some GBM samples.
• Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was not detected in the analyzed GBM samples.
• Unannotated viral contigs exhibited antibody epitopes, suggesting potential immunogenic targets.

Conclusions:

• The study strengthens the association between GBM and viral infections.
• The newly identified picornavirus presents potential for developing oncolytic viruses for GBM therapy.
• Antibody epitopes found in viral sequences offer promising targets for immune-based cancer therapies.