Characterization of Eptesipoxvirus, a novel poxvirus from a microchiropteran bat

Abstract

The genome of Eptesipoxvirus (EPTV) is the first poxvirus genome isolated from a microbat. The 176,688 nt sequence, which is believed to encompass the complete coding region of the virus, is 67% A+T and is predicted to encode 191 genes. 11 of these genes have no counterpart in GenBank and are therefore unique to EPTV. The presence of a distantly related ortholog of Vaccinia virus F5L in EPTV uncovered a link with fragmented F5L orthologs in Molluscum contagiosum virus/squirrelpox and clade II viruses. Consistent with the unique position of EPTV approximately mid-point between the orthopoxviruses and the clade II viruses, EPTV has 11 genes that are specific to the orthopoxviruses and 13 genes that are typical, if not exclusive, to the clade II poxviruses. This mosaic nature of EPTV blurs the distinction between the old description of the orthopoxvirus and clade II groups. Genome annotation and characterization failed to find any common virulence genes shared with the other poxvirus isolated from bat (pteropoxvirus); however, EPTV encodes 3 genes that may have been transferred to or from deerpox and squirrelpox viruses; 2 of these, a putative endothelin-like protein and a MHC class I-like protein are likely to have immunomodulatory roles.

Re-Assembly and Analysis of an Ancient Variola Virus Genome

“…Outside of this core, the genes, which mostly encode host range and virulence factors and are not present in all viruses, are frequently rearranged and have significantly lower levels of DNA and amino acid (aa) conservation than genes in the core region. Thus, when different sets of genes are compared for a given group of viruses, it is not uncommon to observe significantly different levels of conservation because core genes are more highly conserved [ 12 ].…”

Hypsugopoxvirus: A Novel Poxvirus Isolated from Hypsugo savii in Italy

“…When the seven conserved genes— RPO147 , RAP94 , mRNA capping enzyme large subunit, P4a precursor, RPO132 , VETF-L , and DNA primase—were considered individually, the value of nt similarity with EPTV ranged from 90.5% to 98.5%. The above conserved genes that have been used for phylogenetic analysis in previous studies [10,12] are presented in bold in Table 3.…”

“…While EHPV was detected in apparently healthy bats, the other viruses were identified in sick bats and their association with the pathological condition was assumed. Specifically, clinical symptoms of EPTV in Eptesicus fuscus manifested in the form of joint swelling and increased lethargy [10]. PTPV-infected Pteropus scapulatus presented vesicular to nodular skin lesions on the wing membranes that are typical of poxvirus infections [13].…”

“…Currently, four poxviruses from the Microchiroptera and Macrochiroptera suborders have been detected in bat populations on three continents (America, Africa, and Australia) [8]. Specifically, Eptesipoxvirus (EPTV) was isolated in North America in 2011 from Eptesicus fuscus [9,10]; Eidolon helvum poxvirus 1 (EHPV1) was detected in West Africa in 2009 from Eidolon helvum [11]; the Pteropox virus (PTPV) was identified in Northwestern Australia in 2015 from Pteropus scapulatus [12]; and a fourth poxvirus was also identified in South Australia from Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii in 2009 [13]. It is remarkable that these viruses are phylogenetically divergent and are associated with variable clinical manifestations.…”

Poxvirus Host Range Genes and Virus–Host Spectrum: A Critical Review

“…The p28-like protein homologs of Cotia virus and BeAn58058 form a high bootstrap clade ( Figure 4 ). Despite Eptesipox virus forming a well-supported clade with Pteropox virus, both viruses were isolated from bats, which could suggest an adaptation of p28 to the host [ 98 , 99 ]. However, p28-like protein homologs of entomopoxvirus and mimivirus formed an external clade ( Figure 4 ).…”