Capripoxvirus G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor: a host-range gene suitable for virus animal origin discrimination.
The genus Capripoxvirus within the family Poxviridae comprises three closely related viruses, namely goat pox, sheep pox and lumpy skin disease viruses. This nomenclature is based on the animal species from which the virus was first isolated, respectively, goat, sheep and cattle. Since capripoxviruses are serologically identical, their specific identification relies exclusively on the use of molecular tools. We describe here the suitability of the G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor (GPCR) gene for use in host-range grouping of capripoxviruses. The analysis of 58 capripoxviruses showed three tight genetic clusters consisting of goat pox, sheep pox and lumpy skin disease viruses. However, a few discrepancies exist with the classical virus-host origin nomenclature: a virus isolated from sheep is grouped in the goat poxvirus clade and vice versa. Intra-group diversity was further observed for the goat pox and lumpy skin disease virus isolates. Despite the presence of nine vaccine strains, no genetic determinants of virulence were identified on the GPCR gene. For sheep poxviruses, the addition or deletion of 21 nucleic acids (7 aa) was consistently observed in the 5' terminal part of the gene. Specific signatures for each cluster were also identified. Prediction of the capripoxvirus GPCR topology, and its comparison with other known mammalian GPCRs and viral homologues, revealed not only a classical GPCR profile in the last three-quarters of the protein but also unique features such as a longer N-terminal end with a proximal hydrophobic alpha-helix and a shorter serine-rich C-tail.
Le Goff
Christian
C
CIRAD, UMR Contrôle des Maladies, F-34398 Montpellier, France.
Lamien
Charles Euloge
CE
Animal Production Unit, FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory, IAEA Laboratories Seibersdorf, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Strasse 5, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria.
Fakhfakh
Emna
E
IRVT, La Rabta, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia.
Chadeyras
Amélie
A
CIRAD, UMR Contrôle des Maladies, F-34398 Montpellier, France.
Aba-Adulugba
Elexpeter
E
National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Libeau
Geneviève
G
CIRAD, UMR Contrôle des Maladies, F-34398 Montpellier, France.
Tuppurainen
Eeva
E
Institute of Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory, Woking, Surrey GU24 ONF, UK.
Wallace
David B
DB
Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Private Bag X4, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.|Biotechnology Division, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
Adam
Tajelser
T
Department of Viral Vaccines Production, Central Veterinary Research Laboratories Centre, Animal Resources Research Corporation, Ministry of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan.
Silber
Roland
R
Institute for Veterinary Disease Control, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Security, Robert Koch Gasse 17, A-2340 Mödling, Austria.
Gulyaz
Velý
V
Pendik Veterinary Control and Research Institute, Pendik, Istanbul, Turkey.
Madani
Hafsa
H
Institut National de la Médecine Vétérinaire, Laboratoire Central Vétérinaire d'Alger, BP 205 Hacen Badi, El Harrach, Alger, Algeria.
Caufour
Philippe
P
CIRAD, UMR Contrôle des Maladies, F-34398 Montpellier, France.
Hammami
Salah
S
IRVT, La Rabta, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia.
Diallo
Adama
A
Animal Production Unit, FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory, IAEA Laboratories Seibersdorf, International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Strasse 5, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria.
Albina
Emmanuel
E
CIRAD, UMR Contrôle des Maladies, F-34398 Montpellier, France.