Identification of the First Human Gyrovirus, a Virus Related to Chicken Anemia Virus

Abstract

We have identified in a skin swab sample from a healthy donor a new virus that we have named human gyrovirus (HGyV) because of its similarity to the chicken anemia virus (CAV), the only previously known member of the Gyrovirus genus. In particular, this virus encodes a homolog of the CAV apoptin, a protein that selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells. By PCR screening, HGyV was found in 5 of 115 other nonlesional skin specimens but in 0 of 92 bronchoalveolar lavages or nasopharyngeal aspirates and in 0 of 92 fecal samples.

Human Gyrovirus-Apoptin Interferes with the Cell Cycle and Induces G2/M Arrest Prior to Apoptosis

“…HGyvApoptin has the same subcellular distribution as the CAV-Apoptin; it localizes in the nuclei of cancer cells where it shows a granular distribution that later clusters to form aggregates while it remains in the cytoplasm of normal cells (Bullenkamp et al 2012). Despite a low overall identity important regions such as the nuclear localization and export signals and phosphorylation sites are conserved between HGyV and CAV-Apoptin suggesting a similar mechanism of action (Sauvage et al 2011) (Fig. 2).…”

Métagénomique virale et pathologie

“…À titre d'exemple, il a été publié que des staphylocoques de la flore com- [19]. De même, à la surface de la peau humaine, notre équipe a identifié différents virus au sein des Polyomaviridae (HPyV9) [20] et Circoviridae (genre Gyrovirus) [21]. La flore virale des poumons [22] et celle de la peau [23] se sont également avérées très riches (Figure 3).…”

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis identifies a putative novel gyrovirus 3 genotype in ferret feces

“…The prototype GyV species, Chicken anaemia virus (CAV), causes significant losses in young chickens. Candidate new GyV species, including human GyV/avian GyV 2 (HGyV/AGV2), GyV3 to GyV6, have been first identified from chicken serum and/or human skin and fecal samples [1][2][3][4][5]. So far, the etiologic role of novel GyVs in any disease has not been formally demonstrated [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…Candidate new GyV species, including human GyV/avian GyV 2 (HGyV/AGV2), GyV3 to GyV6, have been first identified from chicken serum and/or human skin and fecal samples [1][2][3][4][5]. So far, the etiologic role of novel GyVs in any disease has not been formally demonstrated [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. The ssDNA genome of GyVs encodes two or three potential proteins and based on phylogenetic analysis they have been grouped into two major clades; members of Clade A GyVs possess a larger genome (2315-2383 nt) and include HGyV/AGV2, GyV3 and GyV6 along with the CAV, whereas Clade B includes GyV4 and GyV5, both with a smaller genome (2020-2034 nt) [1][2][3][4][5].…”