Detection and analysis of six lizard adenoviruses by consensus primer PCR provides further evidence of a reptilian origin for the atadenoviruses.
A consensus nested-PCR method was designed for investigation of the DNA polymerase gene of adenoviruses. Gene fragments were amplified and sequenced from six novel adenoviruses from seven lizard species, including four species from which adenoviruses had not previously been reported. Host species included Gila monster, leopard gecko, fat-tail gecko, blue-tongued skink, Tokay gecko, bearded dragon, and mountain chameleon. This is the first sequence information from lizard adenoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these viruses belong to the genus Atadenovirus, supporting the reptilian origin of atadenoviruses. This PCR method may be useful for obtaining templates for initial sequencing of novel adenoviruses.
Wellehan
James F X
JF
Zoological Medicine Service, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. wellehanj@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
Johnson
April J
AJ
Harrach
Balázs
B
Benkö
Mária
M
Pessier
Allan P
AP
Johnson
Calvin M
CM
Garner
Michael M
MM
Childress
April
A
Jacobson
Elliott R
ER
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D046808:Atadenovirus / Q000145:classification*; D008116:Lizards / Q000821:virology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction