VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-17DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110548
Ruixue Liu , Fang Song , Li Sun , Fang Yan , Qiushi Jin , Fang Yan , Xianzhu Xia , Xuefeng Wang , Yuwei Gao
{"title":"Exploring the pathogenic and transmission characteristics of JN.1 in golden hamsters based on different attack methods","authors":"Ruixue Liu , Fang Song , Li Sun , Fang Yan , Qiushi Jin , Fang Yan , Xianzhu Xia , Xuefeng Wang , Yuwei Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110548","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110548","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since its emergence at the end of 2023, the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 has become the dominant strain globally. Currently, its characteristics in related animal models remain largely unknown. The results indicate that JN.1 can cause weight loss, viral load, viral titer, and histopathological changes in golden hamsters via intranasal and intragastric inoculation methods, with intranasal inoculation leading to faster viral replication. Interestingly, both viral load and viral titer of JN.1 are significantly lower than those of its parental strains BA.2 and XBB EG.5.1. A comparison of hematological data from the two inoculation methods was also consistent with previous findings. This highlights the importance of the infection route in studying the virus's progression and characteristics. In direct transmission studies of JN.1, the minimum time for virus transmission was 24 h, while XBB EG.5.1 could transmit the virus in as little as 6 h. Finally, the in vivo adaptability of JN.1 was investigated, with XBB EG.5.1 showing a more apparent adaptability advantage. Therefore, compared with EG.5.1, the pathogenicity and transmissibility of JN.1 are significantly weakened.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"608 ","pages":"Article 110548"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-16DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110549
Zhi-Yong Yan , Carlos Kwesi Tettey , Hua-Yu Ma , Xiu-Qi Mu , Jun Jiang , Chao Geng , Yan-ping Tian , Xiao Yin , Xiang-Dong Li
{"title":"A tomato mottle mosaic virus-based vector system for gene function studies in tomato","authors":"Zhi-Yong Yan , Carlos Kwesi Tettey , Hua-Yu Ma , Xiu-Qi Mu , Jun Jiang , Chao Geng , Yan-ping Tian , Xiao Yin , Xiang-Dong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant virus-based vectors provide a convenient tool for rapid protein expression and gene function studies. However, there is little research on viral vectors capable of systemically expressing proteins in tomatoes. Here, we substituted the coat protein (<em>CP</em>) gene with <em>GFP</em> gene in a previously constructed tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV; genus <em>Tobamovirus</em>) infectious clone pCBToMMV to produce transiently expressing vectors, which could express <em>GFP</em> in the infiltrated leaves of <em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em> plants. We then inserted the sub-genomic promoter and <em>CP</em> gene from another tomamovirus tomato mosaic virus downstream of <em>GFP</em> gene to form a vector capable of systemically expressing <em>GFP</em> in both <em>N. benthamiana</em> and <em>Solanum lycopersicum</em> plants. The ToMMV-based vector also expressed the MYB-related transcription factor Rosea1, inducing anthocyanin biosynthesis in the systemic leaves of both <em>N. benthamiana</em> and <em>S. lycopersicum</em> plants. Additionally, expressing the <em>bialaphos resistance</em> gene using the ToMMV vector conferred resistance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium in plants. Furthermore, the ToMMV vector successfully expressed a 68 kDa β-glucuronidase in systemic leaves and roots of <em>N. benthamiana</em> and <em>S. lycopersicum</em> plants. This ToMMV-based vector provides a simple and efficient tool for gene function studies in tomatoes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"608 ","pages":"Article 110549"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-12DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110540
Le Cao , Shuyuan Shi , Chaofeng Zhang , Cheng Zhao
{"title":"A phycobiliprotein-based reporter assay for the evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 main protease activity","authors":"Le Cao , Shuyuan Shi , Chaofeng Zhang , Cheng Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110540","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110540","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>SARS-CoV-2 M<sup>pro</sup> is crucial for viral replication and transcription and is highly conserved. Therefore, it is an ideal target for developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. To address resistance to existing drugs caused by mutations, a simple and sensitive method for detecting the activity of M<sup>pro</sup> is needed. Considering the excellent fluorescence properties of phycobiliproteins, this study developed a phycobiliprotein-based reporter assay to evaluate M<sup>pro</sup> activity. An engineered lyase was generated by inserting the M<sup>pro</sup> recognition sequence between the phycobiliprotein lyases CpcF and CpcE. To ensure that the binding of CpcE and CpcF depended on the linker, a series of truncated forms were constructed. Among them, the activity of CpcE/F-10 was significantly reduced in the presence of M<sup>pro</sup>; however, both genetic and chemical inhibition of M<sup>pro</sup> activity reversed these results. These data indicated that the fluorescence of phycobiliproteins was negatively correlated with M<sup>pro</sup> activity. The reporter assay developed here will contribute to determining the impact of M<sup>pro</sup> mutations and screening for new inhibitors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"608 ","pages":"Article 110540"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-12DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110532
Santenna Chenchula , Shubham Atal , Mohan Krishna Ghanta , Chakradhara Rao Uppugunduri , Shriraam Karunakaran , Krishna Chaitanya Amerneni , Phulen Sarma , Satya Prakash , Lakshmi Sahitya Amerneni , R. Padmavathi , K. Anitha , T. Sai Varshini , K. Vishnu Vardhan , Shilpa Kaore , Balakrishnan Sadasivam
{"title":"Emerging variants of Mpox virus and tecovirimat resistance: Genomic insights and implications for treatment strategies","authors":"Santenna Chenchula , Shubham Atal , Mohan Krishna Ghanta , Chakradhara Rao Uppugunduri , Shriraam Karunakaran , Krishna Chaitanya Amerneni , Phulen Sarma , Satya Prakash , Lakshmi Sahitya Amerneni , R. Padmavathi , K. Anitha , T. Sai Varshini , K. Vishnu Vardhan , Shilpa Kaore , Balakrishnan Sadasivam","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110532","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110532","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mpox is a zoonotic viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) genus Orthopoxvirus. The MPXV, possesses a large and complex double-stranded DNA genome, encoding approximately 190 genes. The virus has gained attention due to recent outbreaks and the emergence of resistant variants. MPXV exists in two distinct clades: Central African (Clade I) and West African (Clade II), with Clade I being more virulent. Genomic surveillance has revealed significant mutations across MPXV lineages, with Clade IIb, responsible for the 2022 outbreak, exhibiting rapid adaptation through APOBEC3-mediated deamination associated with sustained human-to-human transmission. The recent outbreak of highly mutated Clade 1b MPXV (hMpox-1) strain was associated with increased human-to-human transmission, underscoring the importance of monitoring viral mutations to track diversity and identify resistance to antiviral therapies. Tecovirimat, an antiviral drug authorized for treating Mpox, targets the F13L protein involved in viral egress. However, the rise of MPXV variants resistant to tecovirimat, linked to mutations in the <em>F13L</em> gene, presents a growing challenge. Mutations in the <em>F13L</em> gene, such as H238Q, A288P, A290V, D294V, P243S, N267D, A295E, I372N, and A184T, have been linked to resistance, reducing tecovirimat's efficacy. Therefore, understanding the Clade-specific mutation patterns and genomic adaptations offers crucial insights into the mechanisms driving resistant variant emergence to inform targeted therapeutic and vaccine development strategies, ensuring effective containment of future Mpox outbreaks. This review highlights the genomic diversity of MPXV, its implications for antiviral resistance, and strategies to enhance treatment effectiveness, particularly in vulnerable populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"608 ","pages":"Article 110532"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-09DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110528
Chun-Yang Lian , Xin-Yan Yao , Zhi-Hang Lv , Xue-Lian Zhang , Jian-Wei Shao
{"title":"Genetic diversity of canine coronavirus identified in dogs in yulin city, southern China","authors":"Chun-Yang Lian , Xin-Yan Yao , Zhi-Hang Lv , Xue-Lian Zhang , Jian-Wei Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110528","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110528","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus has renewed interest in related viral pathogens, including canine coronavirus (CCoV), which causes severe gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and vomiting in dogs worldwide. While cases of CCoV have been reported in China, specific instances in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region—a major center for dog breeding and consumption—have not been documented. In this study, we collected spleen tissue samples from dogs in Yulin city and conducted meta-transcriptomic sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed CCoV presence in these samples. Furthermore, virus screening and phylogenetic analyses identified the circulation of two CCoV genotypes within the dog population, revealing an overall prevalence of 14.2 %, with CCoV-IIb being the predominant genotype. Notably, two significant recombination events were detected among the analyzed strains. These findings provide valuable insights into the presence and genetic diversity of CCoV Yulin's dog populations, enhancing the understanding of its genetic variation and evolution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"608 ","pages":"Article 110528"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-09DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110529
Sally K. Chesnut , Ushanandini Mohanraj , Rajita Rayamajhi Thapa , Farid A. Jalilian , Razieh Amini , Iraj Sedighi , Parinaz Sedighi , Haider Al-Hello , Ali M. Barakat , Moses Masika , Dufton Mwaengo , Omu Anzala , Zaiga Nora-Krukle , Anda Vilmane , Inga Ziemele , Elisabetta Manaresi , Giorgio Gallinella , Laura Viikari , Tuomas Jartti , Maria Söderlund-Venermo
{"title":"In search of human protoparvovirus acute infections","authors":"Sally K. Chesnut , Ushanandini Mohanraj , Rajita Rayamajhi Thapa , Farid A. Jalilian , Razieh Amini , Iraj Sedighi , Parinaz Sedighi , Haider Al-Hello , Ali M. Barakat , Moses Masika , Dufton Mwaengo , Omu Anzala , Zaiga Nora-Krukle , Anda Vilmane , Inga Ziemele , Elisabetta Manaresi , Giorgio Gallinella , Laura Viikari , Tuomas Jartti , Maria Söderlund-Venermo","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110529","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110529","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three protoparvoviruses (PPV)—bufavirus, cutavirus, and tusavirus—are the most recent members of the <em>Parvoviridae</em> virus family discovered in humans. All were initially found in stool but have since then been associated with gastroenteritis or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, or found to be of zoonotic origin, respectively. In the current study, we developed novel PPV IgM enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and aimed to search for and characterize human protoparvovirus acute infections. We also provide a more comprehensive analysis of PPV seroprevalences. We screened, with in-house IgG, IgM, and PCR assays, a total of 1444 serum samples from ten different cohorts from six countries (Finland, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Iran, and Iraq), with subjects varying in age and health status (e.g., unexplained fever, gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections, chronic conditions, or constitutionally healthy). The geographic distributions of bufavirus seroprevalences were similar to previous findings, with a high (68 %) bufavirus seroprevalence found in <em>Iran adult</em> and low (<16 %) in <em>Finnish elderly</em> and <em>Italy adult</em> cohorts; the <em>Iran child</em> bufavirus seroprevalence was also significantly higher (16.5 %) than that of the <em>Italy child</em> cohort (4.5 %). Interestingly, we found surprisingly high (>10 %) cutavirus IgG seroprevalences among adults with chronic diseases and the elderly. We did not find any TuV IgG in any cohort. We also discovered some elevated human protoparvovirus IgM reactivity, but upon confirmatory competition EIA and PCR, none were true acute infections. These results suggest that acute human protoparvovirus infections are mild, local, rare, or not seen in respiratory tract infections or gastroenteritis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"608 ","pages":"Article 110529"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-07DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110527
Jack Thomas Bell, Xiaonan Zhang
{"title":"The hepatitis B virus surface antigen: An evolved perfection and its unresolved mysteries","authors":"Jack Thomas Bell, Xiaonan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110527","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110527","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Hepatitis B Virus has long afflicted the human race, with a widespread impact on the global health system and profound medical implications for those who are chronically infected. Despite its relatively recent discovery, over the last 50 years great advancements have been made towards the characterisation of this complex etiological agent. The virus itself has a highly evolved genome which encodes for seven viral proteins, three of which (the surface antigens) were consequential in the initial discovery and isolation of the virus. These surface antigens are ubiquitously important throughout the viral lifecycle, from capsid envelopment through to receptor-mediated invasion into the hepatocytes. The hepatitis B surface antigens (in particular, the large protein) adopt complex topological folds and tertiary structures, and it is this topological intricacy which facilitates the diverse roles the three surface antigens play in HBV maturation and infection. Here, the biochemical and topological attributes of the three surface antigens are reviewed in detail, with particular focus on their relevance to the establishment of infection. Further research is still required to elucidate the coordinates of the antigen loop and the dynamic topological changes of key motifs during entry and viral morphogenesis; these in turn may provide new leads for therapeutics which may potentiate a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"608 ","pages":"Article 110527"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-04DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110526
José Molina-López , Berenice Simon-Olea , María del Rosario Espinoza-Mellado , Ulises Hernández-Chiñas , Carlos Alberto Eslava-Campos , José Luis Balcázar , Edgar González-Villalobos
{"title":"Characterization of a new lytic bacteriophage (vB_KpnM_KP1) targeting Klebsiella pneumoniae strains associated with nosocomial infections","authors":"José Molina-López , Berenice Simon-Olea , María del Rosario Espinoza-Mellado , Ulises Hernández-Chiñas , Carlos Alberto Eslava-Campos , José Luis Balcázar , Edgar González-Villalobos","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new bacteriophage, vB_KpnM_KP1, was identified and characterized, exhibiting a strong lytic effect on <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>. Host range analysis revealed its effectiveness against 77.4% of clinical strains, achieving complete lysis of those associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Phage stability tests demonstrated that vB_KpnM_KP1 remained stable at neutral pH and across all tested temperatures. However, inactivation was observed at high ethanol concentrations and extreme pH levels. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis identified vB_KpnM_KP1 as a Myo-type phage with an icosahedral head and a contractile tail. Moreover, genome annotation of vB_KpnM_KP1 revealed a linear DNA genome of 174,802 bp, containing 307 open reading frames. Functional predictions suggest the presence of genes involved in DNA replication, transcription, morphogenesis, and cell lysis. Phylogenetic analysis classified vB_KpnM_KP1 within the <em>Slopekvirus</em> genus of the <em>Straboviridae</em> family, showing high sequence identity with phages that infect <em>Enterobacter</em>, <em>Escherichia</em> and <em>Klebsiella</em> species. These findings highlight the potential of phage vB_KpnM_KP1 as an alternative treatment for multidrug-resistant <em>K. pneumoniae</em> infections, particularly in UTIs, while offering valuable insights into its stability and genetic composition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"607 ","pages":"Article 110526"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-03DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110525
Huan Ye , Qiang Li , Shuci Liu , Lei Zhou , Xinna Ge , Peng Gao , Jun Han , Xin Guo , Yongning Zhang , Hanchun Yang
{"title":"Identification of two conserved linear antigenic epitopes on the 2C protein of Senecavirus A","authors":"Huan Ye , Qiang Li , Shuci Liu , Lei Zhou , Xinna Ge , Peng Gao , Jun Han , Xin Guo , Yongning Zhang , Hanchun Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110525","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110525","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Senecavirus A (SVA) is a newly emerging picornavirus threatening the global swine industry, causing vesicular disease and neonatal mortality in pigs. The non-structural protein 2C of SVA is a multifunctional virulence factor. To provide robust tools for a comprehensive study of this protein's function, we successfully generated two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; 1F9 and 6B4) by immunizing BALB/c mice with the prokaryotically expressed 2C protein as the immunogen. Indirect immunofluorescence assays confirmed that these mAbs specifically recognized the native 2C protein. Western blot analysis further substantiated their reactivity, revealing that the recognized epitopes are linear. Both 1F9 and 6B4 were characterized as IgG1/κ isotypes. Sequence analysis of the heavy and light chain variable regions showed that the framework and complementarity-determining region (CDR) sequences were entirely distinct between the two mAbs. The antigenic epitopes recognized by 1F9 and 6B4 were precisely mapped to amino acids <sup>162</sup>DGYKGQF<sup>168</sup> and <sup>34</sup>LQAWINKE<sup>41</sup>, respectively, through the expression of a series of truncated forms of 2C protein. Amino acid sequence alignment of the 2C protein from global SVA strains in the GenBank database indicated that these epitopes are highly conserved. Molecular docking revealed that mAbs 1F9 and 6B4 bind to SVA 2C via hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and salt bridges involving specific residues in their heavy and light chain CDRs. The successful development of these mAbs provides a powerful tool for the functional investigation of SVA 2C protein.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"607 ","pages":"Article 110525"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
VirologyPub Date : 2025-04-02DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2025.110524
Shailesh B. Lad , Soumyadeep Mandal , Kiran Kondabagil
{"title":"The evolutionary landscape of modern-day replicases and archaeo-eukaryotic primases may have giant viral interventions","authors":"Shailesh B. Lad , Soumyadeep Mandal , Kiran Kondabagil","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110524","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2025.110524","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The viruses from the phylum <em>Nucleocytoviricota</em> have been a central part of the investigation to understand the evolution of viruses because of their atypically large particle size and large DNA genome encoding ORFs for protein translation, metabolism, and DNA replication and repair. <em>Acanthamoeba polyphaga</em> mimivirus (APMV), the founding member of the phylum, encodes a DNA-repair multifunctional PrimPol enzyme belonging to the archaeo-eukaryotic primase (AEP) superfamily. AEPs are enzymes present in all domains of life forms and viruses, and their versatile nature has been hypothesized to have aided in genomic replication and repair during evolution. The broad substrate specificity of AEPs allows them to act as primase, polymerase, and translesion synthesis polymerase (TLS). This multi-operational mode makes them a potential candidate for a primordial enzyme that could have been a part of the still inefficient ancient replication machinery. In this article, using the available sequence, biochemical, and structural information of AEPs, we explore the potential origins of modern-day replicases. In this context, we propose that AEPs, specifically PrimPols, have been central to the inception of modern-day replication machinery. Using APMV PrimPol as a representative candidate, we propose a model in which the parallel evolution of naked DNA elements, early viruses, cellular organisms, and the replication machinery might have occurred.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"607 ","pages":"Article 110524"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143808285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}