tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Med Virol. 2020 Apr 21. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25909. [Epub ahead of print]
Understanding evolution of SARS-CoV-2: a perspective from analysis of genetic diversity of RdRp gene.
Kasibhatla SM[SUP]1,[/SUP][SUP]2[/SUP], Kinikar M[SUP]1[/SUP], Limaye S[SUP]1[/SUP], Kale MM[SUP]3[/SUP], Kulkarni-Kale U[SUP]1[/SUP].
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES:
COVID-19 emerged as the first example of "Disease X", a hypothetical disease of humans caused by an unknown infectious agent that was named as novel coronavirus and subsequently designated as SARS-CoV-2. The origin of the outbreak at the animal market in Wuhan, China implies it as a case of zoonotic spillover. The study was designed to understand evolution of Betacoronaviruses and in particular diversification of SARS-CoV-2 using RdRp gene, a stable genetic marker.
METHODS:
Phylogenetic and population stratification analyses were carried out using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, respectively.
RESULTS:
Molecular phylogeny using RdRp, showed that SARS-CoV-2 isolates cluster together. Bat-CoV isolate RaTG13 and Pangolin-CoVs are observed to branch off prior to SARS-CoV-2 cluster. While SARS-CoV form a single cluster, Bat-CoVs form multiple clusters. Population-based analyses revealed that both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV form separate clusters with no admixture. Bat-CoVs were found to have single and mixed ancestry and clustered as four sub-populations.
CONCLUSIONS:
Population-based analyses of Betacoronaviruses using RdRp, revealed that SARS-CoV-2 is a homogeneous population. SARS-CoV-2 appears to have evolved from Bat-CoV isolate RaTG13, which diversified from a common ancestor from which Pangolin-CoVs have also evolved. The admixed Bat-CoV sub-populations indicate that bats serve as reservoirs harboring virus ensembles that are responsible for zoonotic spillovers such as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. The extent of admixed isolates of Bat-CoVs observed in population diversification studies underline the need for periodic surveillance of bats and other animal reservoirs for potential spillovers as a measure towards preparedness for emergence of zoonosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:32314811DOI:10.1002/jmv.25909
Understanding evolution of SARS-CoV-2: a perspective from analysis of genetic diversity of RdRp gene.
Kasibhatla SM[SUP]1,[/SUP][SUP]2[/SUP], Kinikar M[SUP]1[/SUP], Limaye S[SUP]1[/SUP], Kale MM[SUP]3[/SUP], Kulkarni-Kale U[SUP]1[/SUP].
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES:
COVID-19 emerged as the first example of "Disease X", a hypothetical disease of humans caused by an unknown infectious agent that was named as novel coronavirus and subsequently designated as SARS-CoV-2. The origin of the outbreak at the animal market in Wuhan, China implies it as a case of zoonotic spillover. The study was designed to understand evolution of Betacoronaviruses and in particular diversification of SARS-CoV-2 using RdRp gene, a stable genetic marker.
METHODS:
Phylogenetic and population stratification analyses were carried out using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, respectively.
RESULTS:
Molecular phylogeny using RdRp, showed that SARS-CoV-2 isolates cluster together. Bat-CoV isolate RaTG13 and Pangolin-CoVs are observed to branch off prior to SARS-CoV-2 cluster. While SARS-CoV form a single cluster, Bat-CoVs form multiple clusters. Population-based analyses revealed that both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV form separate clusters with no admixture. Bat-CoVs were found to have single and mixed ancestry and clustered as four sub-populations.
CONCLUSIONS:
Population-based analyses of Betacoronaviruses using RdRp, revealed that SARS-CoV-2 is a homogeneous population. SARS-CoV-2 appears to have evolved from Bat-CoV isolate RaTG13, which diversified from a common ancestor from which Pangolin-CoVs have also evolved. The admixed Bat-CoV sub-populations indicate that bats serve as reservoirs harboring virus ensembles that are responsible for zoonotic spillovers such as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. The extent of admixed isolates of Bat-CoVs observed in population diversification studies underline the need for periodic surveillance of bats and other animal reservoirs for potential spillovers as a measure towards preparedness for emergence of zoonosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:32314811DOI:10.1002/jmv.25909