title: Evidence of recombination in natural populations of hepatitis A virus.
abstract: Genetic analysis of selected genome regions of hepatitis A virus (HAV) suggested that distinct genotypes of HAV could be found in different geographical regions. At least seven HAV genotypes have been identified all over the world, including four human genotypes (I, II, III, and VII) and three simian strains (IV, V, and VI). Phylogenetic analysis using full-length VP1 sequences revealed that human strain 9F94 has a close genetic relation with strain SLF-88 (sub-genotype VII). Nevertheless, the same analysis using full-length VP2 or VP3 sequences revealed that strain 9F94 has a close genetic relation with strain MBB (sub-genotype IB). To test the possibility of genetic recombination, phylogenetic studies were carried out, revealing that a crossing over had taken place in the VP1 capsid protein. These findings indicate that capsid-recombination can play a significant role in shaping the genetic diversity of HAV and, as such, can have important implications for its evolution, biology, and control.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorie de Virologie UPRES-EA1156, Institut de Biologie, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire de Nantes, Rue Quai Moncousu, 9, 44093, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costa-Mattioli
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ferré
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Casane
authors.forename: Raoul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perez-Bercoff
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coste-Burel
authors.forename: Berthe Marie
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Imbert-Marcille
authors.forename: Elisabeth Claude Monique
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Andre
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bressollette-Bodin
authors.forename: Sylviane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Billaudel
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cristina
mesh_terms: D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003434:Crossing Over, Genetic; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009018:Morocco; D010802:Phylogeny; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins