Sequence and phylogentic analysis of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia, 2012–2019
In: Virology Journal, Jg. 18 (2021), Heft 1, S. 1-10
Online
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Zugriff:
Background The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) continues to exist in the Middle East sporadically. Thorough investigations of the evolution of human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are urgently required. In the current study, we studied amplified fragments of ORF1a/b, Spike (S) gene, ORF3/4a, and ORF4b of four human MERS-CoV strains for tracking the evolution of MERS-CoV over time. Methods RNA isolated from nasopharyngeal aspirate, sputum, and tracheal swabs/aspirates from hospitalized patients with suspected MERS-CoV infection were analyzed for amplification of nine variable genomic fragments. Sequence comparisons were done using different bioinformatics tools available. Results Several mutations were identified in ORF1a/b, ORF3/4a and ORF4b, with the highest mutation rates in the S gene. Five codons; 4 in ORF1a and 1 in the S gene, were found to be under selective pressure. Characteristic amino acid changes, potentially hosted and year specific were defined across the S protein and in the receptor-binding domain Phylogenetic analysis using S gene sequence revealed clustering of MERS-CoV strains into three main clades, A, B and C with subdivision of with clade B into B1 to B4. Conclusions In conclusion, MERS-CoV appears to continuously evolve. It is recommended that the molecular and pathobiological characteristics of future MERS-CoV strains should be analyzed on regular basis to prevent potential future outbreaks at early phases.
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Sequence and phylogentic analysis of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia, 2012–2019
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Autor/in / Beteiligte Person: | Almajhdi, Fahad N. ; Amer, Haitham M. ; Farrag, Mohamed A. ; Bhat, Rauf |
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Zeitschrift: | Virology Journal, Jg. 18 (2021), Heft 1, S. 1-10 |
Veröffentlichung: | Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021 |
Medientyp: | unknown |
ISSN: | 1743-422X (print) |
DOI: | 10.1186/s12985-021-01563-7 |
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