Genetic characterization, molecular epidemiology, and phylogenetic relationships of insect-specific viruses in the taxon Negevirus

Virology. 2017 Apr:504:152-167. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.01.022. Epub 2017 Feb 11.

Abstract

The recently described taxon Negevirus is comprised of a diverse group of insect-specific viruses isolated from mosquitoes and phlebotomine sandflies. In this study, a comprehensive genetic characterization, molecular, epidemiological and evolutionary analyses were conducted on nearly full-length sequences of 91 new negevirus isolates obtained in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Panama, USA and Nepal. We demonstrated that these arthropod restricted viruses are clustered in two major phylogenetic groups with origins related to three plant virus genera (Cilevirus, Higrevirus and Blunevirus). Molecular analyses demonstrated that specific host correlations are not present with most negeviruses; instead, high genetic variability, wide host-range, and cross-species transmission were noted. The data presented here also revealed the existence of five novel insect-specific viruses falling into two arthropod-restrictive virus taxa, previously proposed as distinct genera, designated Nelorpivirus and Sandewavirus. Our results provide a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology, evolution, taxonomy and stability of this group of insect-restricted viruses.

Keywords: Insect-specific viruses; Negevirus; Nelorpivirus genus; Sandewavirus genus; Virus diversity.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / virology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Genetic Variation / genetics
  • Genome, Viral / genetics*
  • Genomic Instability / genetics
  • Host Specificity
  • Insect Viruses / classification*
  • Insect Viruses / genetics*
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA Viruses / classification*
  • RNA Viruses / genetics*
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • RNA, Viral