Respiratory Syncytial Virus whole-genome sequencing identifies convergent evolution of sequence duplication in the C-terminus of the G gene

• DOI: 10.1038/srep26311
• Publication Date: 2016-05-24T06:24:46Z
• Authors: Seth A. Schobel; Karla M. Stucker; Martin L. Moore; Larry J. Anderson; Emma K. Larkin; Jyoti Shankar; Jayati Bera; Vinita Puri; Meghan H. Shilts; Christian Rosas-S...; Rebecca A. Halpin; Nadia Fedorova; Susmita Shrivastava; Timothy B. Stockwell; R. Stokes Peebles; Tina V. Hartert; Suman R. Das
• Keywords: Convergent evolution

Abstract Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide the most important respiratory viral pathogen in infants. Extensive sequence variability within between RSV group A B viruses ability of multiple clades sub-clades to co-circulate are likely mechanisms contributing evasion herd immunity. Surveillance large-scale whole-genome sequencing currently limited but would help identify its evolutionary dynamics sites selective immune evasion. In this study, we performed complete-genome next-generation 92 isolates from infants central Tennessee during 2012–2014 seasons. We identified co-circulating both groups. Each clade defined by signature N- O-linked glycosylation patterns. Analyses specific genes revealed high rates positive selection attachment (G) gene. RSV-A circulation with without a recently reported 72-nucleotide G gene duplication. Furthermore, show evidence convergent evolution duplication fixation over time, which suggests potential fitness advantage