title: Identification and characterization of endogenous viral elements for the three key schistosomes of humans.
abstract: Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) are widely distributed throughout eukaryotic genomes, and their evolution and potential function have attracted a lot of interest. Draft genome sequences for Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma haematobium are now available; however, information about EVEs in blood flukes of the genus schistosoma is scanty. Here, genome-wide survey into the putative EVE sequences of the three key schistosome genomes were present. Totally 4, 117 gene sequences were identified, including retrovirus-like gypsy elements, RNA viruses and dsDNA viruses. Compared with S. japonicum and S. haematobium, S. mansoni appeared to greatly out numbered by gypsy members. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one novel endogenous retrovirus element in S. mansoni. This initial characterization of schistosomes showed that schistosomes harbour distinct EVEs that may have played an important evolutionary role. Studies of schistosomes' endogenous viruses helped us to glance at an earlier viral event in the class Trematoda, greatly broadening the field of palaeovirology.
authors: School of Bioscience and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Guangdong, China.
authors: Na
authors: N
authors: Li
authors: School of Bioscience and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Guangdong, China.
authors: Quhuan
authors: Q
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004267:DNA Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000821:virology; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000821:virology; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000821:virology