Detection of a New Variant in Outbreak of Bovine Ephemeral Fever in Turkey, 2020

Background: In this study, partial nucleotide sequence analysis of the G gene was performed for the molecular characterization of the virus that caused the bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) epidemic in Turkey in 2020. Phylogenetic analysis of these nucleotide sequences was performed with the virus nucleotide sequences of the epidemics seen in 2008 and 2012. These sequences were announced in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis of these nucleotide sequences was performed with the virus nucleotide sequences of the epidemics seen in 2008 and 2012. Methods: The study was conducted in dairy cattle holdings located in Diyarbakır Sur, Çınar and Dicle regions in South-eastern Turkey in August-November 2020. The number of animals in the holdings consisted of 750 (n=750), 150 (n=150) and 200 (n=200) cattle, respectively. Result: Severe respiratory symptoms and high mortality in the affected animals were notable symptoms. As a result of the phylogenetic analysis, it was determined that the virus that caused the epidemic in Turkey in 2020 was formed by a new variant in the Turkey-2 group, which was similar to the Indian isolates, unlike the Turkey-1 group, which was close to the Middle East variants in 2008 and 2012 isolates.

Complete Genome Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of a Goose Astrovirus Isolate in China

Astroviruses are considered the cause of gastroenteritis in humans and animals. Studies in recent years show avian astroviruses are also associated with duckling hepatitis, gosling gout, and chicken nephritis. In this study, a GAstV strain, designated as JS2019/China, was detected in dead goslings from a commercial goose farm in Jiangsu province of China. Viral strain was proliferated in goose embryos and sequence analysis showed the isolated strain had a classical structure arrangement and a series of conserved regions compared with other GAstVs. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis of whole genome and ORF2 revealed that JS2019/China belongs to the GAstV group-1, which consists of most of the GAstV strains. Amino acid analysis indicated that some mutants might have an impact on viral protease capacity, such as V505I and K736E of ORF1a and T107I, F342S, and S606P of ORF2. Taken together, a novel GAstV strain was isolated and genomic analysis and protein polymorphism analysis indicated that some amino acid mutants might affect the viral virulence.

The Plasmodium falciparum protein PfMRP1 functions as an influx ABC transporter

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play an important role in mediating solute or drug transport across cellular membranes. Although this class of transporters has been well characterized in diverse organisms little is known about the physiological roles in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite species. We studied the Plasmodium falciparum Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein 1 (PfMRP1; PF3D7_0112200), an ABC transporter localized to the parasite plasma membrane, generating genetic disrupted parasites. We demonstrate that parasites with disrupted pfmrp1 are resistant to folate analogs, methotrexate and aminopterin, with antimalarial activity. This phenotype occurs due to reduction in compound accumulation in the parasite cytoplasm. Phylogenetic analysis supports pfmrp1 being distantly related to ABC transporters in other eukaryotes, suggesting an unusual function. We propose that PfMRP1 can act as a solute importer, a function not previously observed in this organism.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Rhodeus cyanorostris (Teleostei, Cyprinidae): characterization and phylogenetic analysis

Rhodeus cyanorostris Li, Liao & Arai, 2020 is a freshwater fish that is endemic to China and restricted to Chengdu City in Sichuan Province. This study is the first to sequence and characterize the complete mitochondrial genome of R. cyanorostris. The mitogenome of R. cyanorostris is 16580 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The base composition of the sequence is 28.5% A, 27.6% C, 26.4% T, and 17.5% G, with a bias toward A+T. The genome structure, nucleotide composition, and codon usage of the mitogenome of R. cyanorostris are consistent with those of other species of Rhodeus. To verify the molecular phylogeny of the genus Rhodeus, we provide new insights to better understand the taxonomic status of R. cyanorostris. The phylogenetic trees present four major clades based on 19 mitogenomic sequences from 16 Rhodeus species. Rhodeus cyanorostris exhibits the closest phylogenetic relationship with R. pseudosericeus, R. amarus, and R. sericeus. This study discloses the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of R. cyanorostris for the first time and provides the most comprehensive phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Rhodeus based on whole mitochondrial genome sequences. The information obtained in this study will provide new insights for conservation, phylogenetic analysis, and evolutionary biology research.

Phylogenetic analysis of phytochrome A gene from Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet

Background Phytochromes are the best characterized photoreceptors that perceive Red (R)/Far-Red (FR) signals and mediate key developmental responses in plants. It is well established that photoperiodic control of flowering is regulated by PHY A (phytochrome A) gene. So far, the members of PHY A gene family remains unexplored in Lablab purpureus, and therefore, their functions are still not deciphered. PHYA3 is the homologue of phytochrome A and known to be involved in dominant suppression of flowering under long day conditions by downregulating florigens in Glycine max. The present study is the first effort to identify and characterize any photoreceptor gene (PHYA3, in this study) in Lablab purpureus and decipher its phylogeny with related legumes. Results PHYA3 was amplified in Lablab purpureus cv GNIB-21 (photo-insensitive and determinate) by utilizing primers designed from GmPHYA3 locus of Glycine max. This study was successful in partially characterizing PHYA3 in Lablab purpureus (LprPHYA3) which is 2 kb longer and belongs to exon 1 region of PHYA3 gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide and protein sequences of PHYA genes through MEGA X delineated the conservation and evolution of Lablab purpureus PHYA3 (LprPHYA3) probably from PHYA genes of Vigna unguiculata, Glycine max and Vigna angularis. A conserved basic helix-loop-helix motif bHLH69 was predicted having DNA binding property. Domain analysis of GmPHYA protein and predicted partial protein sequence corresponding to exon-1 of LprPHYA3 revealed the presence of conserved domains (GAF and PAS domains) in Lablab purpureus similar to Glycine max. Conclusion Partial characterization of LprPHYA3 would facilitate the identification of complete gene in Lablab purpureus utilizing sequence information from phylogenetically related species of Fabaceae. This would allow screening of allelic variants for LprPHYA3 locus and their role in photoperiod responsive flowering. The present study could aid in modulating photoperiod responsive flowering in Lablab purpureus and other related legumes in near future through genome editing.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Outbreak in a Dormitory in Saint-Petersburg, Russia

The B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly spreading, displacing the globally prevalent Delta variant. Before December 16, 2021, community transmission had already been observed in tens of countries globally. However, in Russia, all reported cases had been sporadic and associated with travel. Here, we report an Omicron outbreak at a students’ dormitory in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Out of the 462 sampled residents of the dormitory, 206 (44.6%) tested PCR positive, and 159 (77.1%) of these infections carried the S:ins214EPE insertion, indicating that they were of the Omicron strain. 104 (65%) of Omicron-positive patients have been vaccinated and/or reported previous covid-19. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that the outbreak is caused by the Omicron variant. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the outbreak has a single origin, and belongs to the S:346K sublineage of Omicron which may be characterized by an increased rate of spread, compared to other Omicron sublineages. The rapid spread of Omicron in a population with preexisting immunity to previous variants underlines its propensity for immune evasion.