Cospeciation of coronavirus and paramyxovirus with their bat hosts in the same geographical areas

Abstract Background Bat-borne viruses are relatively host specific. We hypothesize that this host specificity is due to coevolution of the viruses with their hosts. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the coevolution of coronavirus and paramyxovirus with their bat hosts. Published nucleotide sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of 60 coronavirus strains identified from 37 bat species, the RNA polymerase large (L) gene of 36 paramyxovirus strains from 29 bat species, and the cytochrome B (cytB) gene of 35 bat species were analyzed for coevolution signals. Each coevolution signal detected was tested and verified by global-fit cophylogenic analysis using software ParaFit, PACo, and eMPRess. Results Significant coevolution signals were detected in coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses and their bat hosts, and closely related bat hosts were found to carry closely related viruses. Conclusions Our results suggest that paramyxovirus and coronavirus coevolve with their hosts.

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Coevolution of Coronavirus and Paramyxovirus with Their Bat Hosts in the Same Geographical Areas

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21963/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jie Liang ◽

Chunchao Zhu ◽

Libiao Zhang

Keyword(s):

Rna Polymerase ◽

Phylogenetic Relationship ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Cytochrome B ◽

Nucleotide Sequences ◽

Rdrp Gene ◽

Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽

R Program ◽

Close Phylogenetic Relationship

Abstract Background: Bat-borne viruses are relatively host specific. In this study, we investigated the coevolution of coronavirus and paramyxovirus with their bat hosts. Published nucleotide sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of 60 coronaviruses isolated from 37 bat species, the RNA polymerase large (L) gene of 36 paramyxoviruses isolated from 29 bat species, and the cytochrome B (cytB) gene of 35 bat species were analyzed for coevolution signals. Each coevolution signal detected was tested and verified by the ParaFit and PACo functions in the R program. Results: Significant coevolution signals were detected in coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses and their bat hosts, and closely related bat hosts were found to carry closely related viruses. Conclusions: Our results suggest that similar geographical distribution and close phylogenetic relationship are requisites for inter-species transmission of viruses.

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Evaluation of Commercial qPCR Kits for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Pooled Samples

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics10070472 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 472 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vlad Petrovan ◽

Virgil Vrajmasu ◽

Ana Cristina Bucur ◽

Dan Sebastian Soare ◽

Eugen Radu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rna Polymerase ◽

Rdrp Gene ◽

Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽

Easy Method ◽

E Gene ◽

Suitable Target ◽

Sample Pooling ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Commercial Kits ◽

Pooled Samples

Due to the current pandemic, a global shortage of reagents has drawn interest in developing alternatives to increase the number of coronavirus tests. One such alternative is sample pooling. We compared commercial kits that are used in COVID-19 diagnostics in terms of their sensitivity and feasibility for use in pooling. In this preliminary study, we showed that pooling of up to 80 samples did not affect the efficacy of the kits. Additionally, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene is a more suitable target in pooled samples than the envelope (E) gene. This approach could provide an easy method of screening a large number of samples and help adjust different governmental regulations.

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