Footprint of the host restriction factors APOBEC3 on the genome of human viruses. 2020

Florian Poulain, and Noémie Lejeune, and Kévin Willemart, and Nicolas A Gillet
Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Integrated Veterinary Research Unit (URVI), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.

APOBEC3 enzymes are innate immune effectors that introduce mutations into viral genomes. These enzymes are cytidine deaminases which transform cytosine into uracil. They preferentially mutate cytidine preceded by thymidine making the 5'TC motif their favored target. Viruses have evolved different strategies to evade APOBEC3 restriction. Certain viruses actively encode viral proteins antagonizing the APOBEC3s, others passively face the APOBEC3 selection pressure thanks to a depleted genome for APOBEC3-targeted motifs. Hence, the APOBEC3s left on the genome of certain viruses an evolutionary footprint. The aim of our study is the identification of these viruses having a genome shaped by the APOBEC3s. We analyzed the genome of 33,400 human viruses for the depletion of APOBEC3-favored motifs. We demonstrate that the APOBEC3 selection pressure impacts at least 22% of all currently annotated human viral species. The papillomaviridae and polyomaviridae are the most intensively footprinted families; evidencing a selection pressure acting genome-wide and on both strands. Members of the parvoviridae family are differentially targeted in term of both magnitude and localization of the footprint. Interestingly, a massive APOBEC3 footprint is present on both strands of the B19 erythroparvovirus; making this viral genome one of the most cleaned sequences for APOBEC3-favored motifs. We also identified the endemic coronaviridae as significantly footprinted. Interestingly, no such footprint has been detected on the zoonotic MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses. In addition to viruses that are footprinted genome-wide, certain viruses are footprinted only on very short sections of their genome. That is the case for the gamma-herpesviridae and adenoviridae where the footprint is localized on the lytic origins of replication. A mild footprint can also be detected on the negative strand of the reverse transcribing HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-1 and HBV viruses. Together, our data illustrate the extent of the APOBEC3 selection pressure on the human viruses and identify new putatively APOBEC3-targeted viruses.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007113 Immunity, Innate The capacity of a normal organism to remain unaffected by microorganisms and their toxins. It results from the presence of naturally occurring ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS, constitutional factors such as BODY TEMPERATURE and immediate acting immune cells such as NATURAL KILLER CELLS. Immunity, Native,Immunity, Natural,Immunity, Non-Specific,Resistance, Natural,Innate Immune Response,Innate Immunity,Immune Response, Innate,Immune Responses, Innate,Immunity, Non Specific,Innate Immune Responses,Native Immunity,Natural Immunity,Natural Resistance,Non-Specific Immunity
D010321 Parvoviridae A family of very small DNA viruses containing a single molecule of single-stranded DNA and consisting of two subfamilies: PARVOVIRINAE and DENSOVIRINAE. They infect both vertebrates and invertebrates. Picodnaviruses
D003332 Coronaviridae Spherical RNA viruses, in the order NIDOVIRALES, infecting a wide range of animals including humans. Transmission is by fecal-oral and respiratory routes. Mechanical transmission is also common. There are two genera: CORONAVIRUS and TOROVIRUS. Bafinivirus,Coronavirinae,Torovirinae,White bream virus,Bafiniviruses,White bream viruses
D003564 Cytidine Deaminase An enzyme that catalyzes the deamination of cytidine, forming uridine. EC 3.5.4.5. Cytidine Aminohydrolase,Aminohydrolase, Cytidine,Deaminase, Cytidine
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071478 APOBEC Deaminases A family of conserved cytidine deaminases that catalyze the DEAMINATION of CYTIDINE to URIDINE. They are characterized by N and C-terminal zinc-dependent catalytic domains and have important functions in RNA EDITING; EPIGENTIC PROCESSES; and the INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSE against viruses. AID-APOBEC Deaminases,APOBEC Enzymes,APOBEC Family Proteins,Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Enzyme, Catalytic Polypeptides,AID APOBEC Deaminases,Deaminases, AID-APOBEC,Deaminases, APOBEC
D012641 Selection, Genetic Differential and non-random reproduction of different genotypes, operating to alter the gene frequencies within a population. Natural Selection,Genetic Selection,Selection, Natural
D014764 Viral Proteins Proteins found in any species of virus. Gene Products, Viral,Viral Gene Products,Viral Gene Proteins,Viral Protein,Protein, Viral,Proteins, Viral
D014779 Virus Replication The process of intracellular viral multiplication, consisting of the synthesis of PROTEINS; NUCLEIC ACIDS; and sometimes LIPIDS, and their assembly into a new infectious particle. Viral Replication,Replication, Viral,Replication, Virus,Replications, Viral,Replications, Virus,Viral Replications,Virus Replications
D016679 Genome, Viral The complete genetic complement contained in a DNA or RNA molecule in a virus. Viral Genome,Genomes, Viral,Viral Genomes

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