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Published on: June 26, 2020
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Dispersion of synonymous codon usage patterns in hepatitis E virus genomes derived from various hosts
Xin Wang1, Jing Sun2, Yueyan Zheng1
1School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Journal of Basic Microbiology
|July 2, 2022
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) synonymous codon usage varies by host and open reading frame (ORF). Stable codon usage in ORF1 aids HEV infection, while varied usage in ORF3 may facilitate cross-species transmission.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with a broad host range.
- Synonymous codon usage influences viral survival and host adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between HEV host range and synonymous codon usage patterns.
- To analyze codon usage variations across different HEV open reading frames (ORFs).
Main Methods:
- Quantified synonymous codon usage dispersion using Vs calculation and information entropy.
- Analyzed HEV genomes isolated from various host species.
Main Results:
- HEV ORFs exhibit species-specific synonymous codon usage patterns.
- Ruminant-derived HEV shows stable codon usage (Vs < 0.1), while human-derived HEV displays distinct overall codon usage (R < 0).
- ORF1 has more stable codon usage (Vs < 0.1), whereas ORF3 shows more varied usage (Vs > 1.0).
Conclusions:
- Host factors influence HEV synonymous codon usage patterns.
- Stable codon usage in ORF1 may sustain HEV infection.
- Varied codon usage in ORF3 might promote cross-species infection and host range expansion.
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