Distribution of endogenous retroviruses in crocodilians

J Virol. 2009 Oct;83(19):10305-8. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00668-09. Epub 2009 Jul 15.

Abstract

Knowledge of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in crocodilians (Crocodylia) is limited, and their distribution among extant species is unclear. Here we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships of these retroelements in 20 species of crocodilians by studying the pro-pol gene. The results showed that crocodilian ERVs (CERVs) cluster into two major clades (CERV 1 and CERV 2). CERV 1 clustered as a sister group of the genus Gammaretrovirus, while CERV 2 clustered distantly with respect to all known ERVs. Interestingly, CERV 1 was found only in crocodiles (Crocodylidae). The data generated here could assist future studies aimed at identifying orthologous and paralogous ERVs among crocodilians.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Alligators and Crocodiles
  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / genetics*
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / metabolism*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Phylogeny
  • Retroelements

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Retroelements