Endogenization of a Prosimian Retrovirus during Lemur Evolution

Abstract

Studies of viruses that coevolved with lemurs provide an opportunity to understand the basal traits of primate viruses and provide an evolutionary context for host-virus interactions. Germline integration of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are fossil evidence of past infections. Hence, characterization of novel ERVs provides insight into the ancient precursors of extant viruses and the evolutionary history of their hosts. Here, we report the discovery of a novel endogenous retrovirus present in the genome of a lemur, Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli). Using next-generation sequencing, we identified and characterized the complete genome sequence of a retrovirus, named prosimian retrovirus 1 (PSRV1). Phylogenetic analyses indicate that PSRV1 is a gamma-type betaretrovirus basal to the other primate betaretroviruses and most closely related to simian retroviruses. Molecular clock analysis of PSRV1 long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences estimated the time of endogenization within 4.56 MYA (± 2.4 MYA), placing it after the divergence of Propithecus species. These results indicate that PSRV1 is an important milestone of lemur evolution during the radiation of the Propithecus genus. These findings may have implications for both human and animal health in that the acquisition of a gamma-type env gene within an endogenized betaretrovirus could facilitate a cross-species jump between vertebrate class hosts.

A Review on Zoonotic Pathogens Associated with Non-Human Primates: Understanding the Potential Threats to Humans

“…Additionally, Grant et al developed a diagnostic method for distinguishing endogenous and exogenous SRV [ 65 ]. Zhu et al demonstrated that infection with SRV-8, a newly isolated SRV subtype, triggers autophagy and apoptotic pathways in Jurkat T lymphocytes [ 66 ]. Togami et al found that zidovudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, in sub-micromolar to nanomolar dosages, potently inhibit SRV-4 infection; conversely, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors showed no activity against SRV-4 [ 67 ].…”

Detection and Characterisation of an Endogenous Betaretrovirus in Australian Wild Deer

“…In contrast to classes I and III, the class II ERVs have a more restricted host range, comprised mainly of mammals and birds; however, they have also recently been detected in amphibians [6][7][8]. Among class II ERVs, full-length endogenous betaretroviruses have been detected in the genomes of livestock [9][10][11][12], rodents [9,13], primates [9,14,15], bats [16,17], and the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) [18]. Betaretrovirus-related elements have been previously detected in wild cervid genomes such as caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) utilising PCR assays targeting conserved regions of the retroviral pro and/or pol genes; however, these elements still remain uncharacterised [6].…”