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Recombination shapes African swine fever virus serotype-specific locus evolution
Mariia Nefedeva1, Ilya Titov1, Sodnom Tsybanov1
1Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology, Volginsky, Russia.
Scientific Reports
|October 29, 2020
Summary
Recombination significantly drives African swine fever virus (ASFV) evolution, particularly in C-type lectin and CD2v proteins. These genetic exchanges, common in East Africa, reveal adaptive evolution and impact virus strain cross-protection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Evolution
- Genomics
Background:
- Recombination is a key driver of double-stranded DNA virus evolution.
- Recombination events within African swine fever virus (ASFV) genomes are not well understood.
- Genetic variability in ASFV may be linked to recombination hotspots.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze recombination in ASFV serotype-specific loci (C-type lectin (EP153R) and CD2v (EP402R)).
- To identify recombination breakpoints within these immunologically important proteins.
- To elucidate the evolutionary forces shaping ASFV.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ASFV serotype-specific loci (C-type lectin and CD2v).
- Identification of recombination breakpoints.
- Phylogenetic analysis.
- Assessment of adaptive evolution signatures (pN/pS > 1).
Main Results:
- Recombination events were identified in both C-type lectin and CD2v proteins.
- Recombination was most prevalent in ASFV strains from East Africa.
- Recombination events correlated with the domain organization of the proteins.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated a lack of clonal evolution in African ASFV strains.
- Evidence of adaptive evolution (pN/pS > 1) was found in these genes.
Conclusions:
- Recombination plays a significant role in the evolution of ASFV, especially in serotype-specific loci.
- The findings suggest C-type lectin and CD2v proteins experience substantial selective pressure.
- Understanding recombination is crucial for interpreting cross-protection between ASFV strains.
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