An unusually high substitution rate in transplant-associated BK polyomavirus in vivo is further concentrated in HLA-C-bound viral peptides

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007368
• Publication Date: 2018-10-18T17:48:23Z
• Authors: Pilar Domingo-Calap; Benjamin Schubert; Mélanie Joly; Morgane Solis; Meiggie Untrau; Raphael Carapito; Philippe Georgel; Sophie Caillard; Samira Fafi-Kremer; Nicodème Paul; Oliver Kohlbacher; Fernando González...; Seiamak Bahram
• Keywords: Viral evolution; HLA-B

Infection with human BK polyomavirus, a small double-stranded DNA virus, potentially results in severe complications immunocompromised patients. Here, we describe the vivo variability and evolution of polyomavirus by deep sequencing. Our data reveal highest genomic evolutionary rate described viruses, i.e., 10−3–10−5 substitutions per nucleotide site year. High mutation rates viruses allow their escape from immune surveillance adaptation to new hosts. By combining mutational landscapes across viral genomes silico prediction peptides, demonstrate presence significantly more coding within predicted cognate HLA-C-bound peptides than outside. This finding suggests role for HLA-C antiviral immunity, perhaps through action killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors. The present study provides comprehensive view virus.