Novel Paju Apodemus Paramyxovirus 1 and 2, Harbored by Apodemus agrarius in The Republic of Korea

Abstract

Paramyxoviruses, negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, pose a potential threat to public health. Currently, 78 species and 17 genera of paramyxoviruses are classified and harbored by multiple natural reservoirs, including rodents, bats, birds, reptiles, and fish. Jeilongvirus has been proposed as a novel paramyxovirus genus containing J-, Beilong, and Tailam viruses, found in wild rodents. Using RT-PCR, 824 Apodemus agrarius individuals were examined for the prevalence of paramyxovirus infections. Paramyxovirus RNA was detected in 108 (13.1%) rodents captured at 14 trapping sites in Korea. We first present two genetically distinct novel paramyxoviruses (genus Jeilongvirus), Paju Apodemus paramyxoviruses 1 (PAPV-1) and 2 (PAPV-2), from A. agrarius. Six PAPV strains were completely sequenced using next-generation and Sanger sequencing. PAPV-1 genome comprised 19,716 nucleotides, with eight genes (3-N-P/V/C-M-F-SH-TM-G-L-5), whereas PAPV-2 genome contained 17,475 nucleotides, with seven genes (3-N-P/V/C-M-F-TM-G-L-5). The disparity between PAPV-1 and -2 revealed the presence of the SH gene and length of the G gene in the genome organization. The phylogenies of PAPV-1 and -2 belong to distinct genetic lineages of Jeilongvirus despite being from the same natural host. PAPV-1 clustered with Beilong and Tailam viruses, while PAPV-2 formed a genetic lineage with Mount Mabu Lophuromys virus-1. PAPV-1 infected human epithelial and endothelial cells, facilitating the induction of type I/III interferons, interferon-stimulated genes, and proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, this study provides profound insights into the molecular epidemiology, virus-host interactions, and zoonotic potential of novel rodent-borne paramyxoviruses.

Discovery and Genetic Characterization of Novel Paramyxoviruses Related to the Genus Henipavirus in Crocidura Species in the Republic of Korea

“…Small mammals were captured during 2017-2018 using Sherman traps (8 cm × 9 cm × 23 cm; H. B. Sherman, Tallahassee, FL, USA). A total of 115 individuals belonging to Crocidura species were collected from the previous study [30]. Shrews were identified using morphological criteria and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), when required.…”

“…cDNA was generated from the RNA extracted from shrew-borne paramyxovirus-infected cells and kidney tissues using SISPA method was carried out according to a protocol described previously [30].…”

“…First and nested PCRs were conducted in a 25 μL reaction mixture containing 2.5 U of Ex Taq DNA polymerase (TaKaRa BIO Inc., Shiga, Japan), 1.5 μg of cDNA, and 10 pM of pan-paramyxoviral primers [49]. PCR condition and purification were carried out according to a protocol described previously [30]. Sequencing was performed in both directions of each PCR product using a BigDye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems) on an automated sequencer (ABI 3730XL DNA Analyzer; Applied Biosystems).…”

“…In mammals, bats possess a variety of paramyxoviruses (genus: Henipavirus, Narmovirus, Respirovirus, and Rubulavirus) worldwide [28]. Recently, paramyxoviruses have been found in multiple natural hosts, such as rodents [29][30][31] and cats [32]. Different types of paramyxoviruses have been discovered and isolated in the Republic of Korea (ROK) (genus: Orthoavulavirus, Shaanvirus, and Jeilongvirus).…”

“…The bat paramyxovirus (genus: Shaanvirus) was discovered in fecal matter from the common bent-wing bat, eastern long-fingered bat, and eastern water bat [34,35]. The striped field mouse was found to harbor Paju Apodemus paramyxovirus 1 and 2 (PAPV-1 and -2) in kidney tissues [30].…”