Complete genome sequence of a hepatitis B virus isolate of genotype D2, subtype adrq+, from Brazil.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been classified into 10 distinct serological subtypes of the surface antigen (HBsAg) that can be predicted by sequencing of the corresponding S gene. HBV genotype D usually displays determinants of subtypes ayw2 or ayw3. On the other hand, subtype adrq+ has been found exclusively in association with genotype C. Here, we describe the first HBV genome (isolate BR32) belonging to genotype D with the serological subtype adrq+. This isolate had a genome length of 3,062 nucleotides (nt), and no recombination events were observed in the BR32 genome that could explain the occurrence of the subtype adr in a genotype D isolate. Analysis of the quasispecies population revealed that 28 out of 30 clones (93%) were of subtype adrq+, while the subtypes of the two remaining could not be determined, since they contained an S residue (instead of K or R) at position 122 of HBsAg. These results will contribute to further epidemiological and evolutionary studies of HBV.
Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.
Natália
N
Spitz
Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Aline S
AS
Moreira
Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Francisco C A
FCA
Mello
Department of Clinical Analyses, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
Helena Cristina F
HCF
Franz
Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.
Selma A
SA
Gomes
Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil. nmaraujo@ioc.fiocruz.br.
Natalia M
NM
Araujo
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001938:Brazil; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny
D004279:DNA, Viral