Discovery and genome characterization of three new Jeilongviruses, a lineage of paramyxoviruses characterized by their unique membrane proteins
Bert Vanmechelen,
Magda Bletsa,
Lies Laenen,
Ana Rita Lopes,
Valentijn Vergote,
Leen Beller,
Ward Deboutte,
Miša Korva,
Tatjana Avšič Županc,
Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq,
Sophie Gryseels,
Herwig Leirs,
Philippe Lemey,
Bram Vrancken,
Piet Maes
Affiliations
Bert Vanmechelen
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Magda Bletsa
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Evolutionary and Computational Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Lies Laenen
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Ana Rita Lopes
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Valentijn Vergote
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Leen Beller
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Ward Deboutte
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Miša Korva
Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana
Tatjana Avšič Županc
Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana
Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology
Sophie Gryseels
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Evolutionary and Computational Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Herwig Leirs
Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp
Philippe Lemey
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Evolutionary and Computational Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Bram Vrancken
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Evolutionary and Computational Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Piet Maes
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven – University of Leuven
Abstract Background In the past decade, many new paramyxoviruses that do not belong to any of the seven established genera in the family Paramyxoviridae have been discovered. Amongst them are J-virus (JPV), Beilong virus (BeiPV) and Tailam virus (TlmPV), three paramyxovirus species found in rodents. Based on their similarities, it has been suggested that these viruses should compose a new genus, tentatively called ‘Jeilongvirus’. Results Here we present the complete genomes of three newly discovered paramyxoviruses, one found in a bank vole (Myodes glareolus) from Slovenia and two in a single, co-infected Rungwe brush-furred rat (Lophuromys machangui) from Mozambique, that represent three new, separate species within the putative genus ‘Jeilongvirus’. The genome organization of these viruses is similar to other paramyxoviruses, but like JPV, BeiPV and TlmPV, they possess an additional open reading frame, encoding a transmembrane protein, that is located between the F and G genes. As is the case for all Jeilongviruses, the G genes of the viruses described here are unusually large, and their encoded proteins are characterized by a remarkable amino acid composition pattern that is not seen in other paramyxoviruses, but resembles certain motifs found in Orthopneumovirus G proteins. Conclusions The phylogenetic clustering of JPV, BeiPV and TlmPV with the viruses described here, as well as their shared features that set them apart from other paramyxoviruses, provide additional support for the recognition of the genus ‘Jeilongvirus’.
