Novel circular DNA viruses in stool samples of wild-living chimpanzees

Olga Blinkova, Joseph Victoria, Yingying Li, Brandon F. Keele, Crickette Sanz, Jean Bosco N. Ndjango, Martine Peeters, Dominic Travis, Elizabeth V. Lonsdorf, Michael L. Wilson, Anne E. Pusey, Beatrice H. Hahn, Eric L. Delwart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Viral particles in stool samples from wild-living chimpanzees were analysed using random PCR amplification and sequencing. Sequences encoding proteins distantly related to the replicase protein of single-stranded circular DNA viruses were identified. Inverse PCR was used to amplify and sequence multiple small circular DNA viral genomes. The viral genomes were related in size and genome organization to vertebrate circoviruses and plant geminiviruses but with a different location for the stem-loop structure involved in rolling circle DNA replication. The replicase genes of these viruses were most closely related to those of the much smaller (∼1 kb) plant nanovirus circular DNA chromosomes. Because the viruses have characteristics of both animal and plant viruses, we named them chimpanzee stool-associated circular viruses (ChiSCV). Further metagenomic studies of animal samples will greatly increase our knowledge of viral diversity and evolution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)74-86
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of General Virology
Volume91
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

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