Identification of a Novel Deltavirus in Boa Constrictors

DOI Web Site 1 Citations
  • Udo Hetzel
    Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Leonóra Szirovicza
    Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Teemu Smura
    Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Barbara Prähauser
    Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Olli Vapalahti
    Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Anja Kipar
    Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Jussi Hepojoki
    Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Anne Moscona
    editor

Abstract

<jats:p>So far, the only known example of deltaviruses is the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). HDV is speculated to have evolved in humans, since deltaviruses were until very recently found only in humans. Using a metatranscriptomic sequencing approach, we found a circular RNA, which resembles that of HDV in size and coding strategy, in a snake. The identification of similar deltaviruses in distantly related species other than humans indicates that the previously suggested hypotheses on the origins of deltaviruses need to be updated. It is still possible that the ancestor of deltaviruses emerged from cellular RNAs; however, it likely would have happened much earlier in evolution than previously thought. These findings open up completely new avenues in evolution and pathogenesis studies of deltaviruses.</jats:p>

Journal

  • mBio

    mBio 10 (2), 2019-04-30

    American Society for Microbiology

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