Identification of two novel papillomaviruses in belugas
Introduction Papillomaviruses (PVs) can cause hyperplasia in the skin and mucous membranes of humans, mammals, and non-mammalian animals, and are a significant risk factor for cervical and genital cancers. Methods Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we identified two novel strains of papillomavi...
Published in: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
Frontiers Media SA
2023
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165839 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165839/full |
Summary: | Introduction Papillomaviruses (PVs) can cause hyperplasia in the skin and mucous membranes of humans, mammals, and non-mammalian animals, and are a significant risk factor for cervical and genital cancers. Methods Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we identified two novel strains of papillomavirus, PV-HMU-1 and PV-HMU-2, in swabs taken from belugas ( Delphinapterus leucas ) at Polar Ocean Parks in Qingdao and Dalian. Results We amplified the complete genomes of both strains and screened ten belugas and one false killer whale ( Pseudorca crassidens ) for the late gene (L1) to determine the infection rate. In Qingdao, 50% of the two sampled belugas were infected with PV-HMU-1, while the false killer whale was negative. In Dalian, 71% of the eight sampled belugas were infected with PV-HMU-2. In their L1 genes, PV-HMU-1 and PV-HMU-2 showed 64.99 and 68.12% amino acid identity, respectively, with other members of Papillomaviridae . Phylogenetic analysis of combinatorial amino acid sequences revealed that PV-HMU-1 and PV-HMU-2 clustered with other known dolphin PVs but formed distinct branches. PVs carried by belugas were proposed as novel species under Firstpapillomavirinae . Conclusion The discovery of these two novel PVs enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity of papillomaviruses and their impact on the beluga population. |
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