Synonymous codon usage pattern among the S, M, and L segments in Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever virus

Bioinformation. 2021 Apr 30;17(4):479-491. doi: 10.6026/97320630017479. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is one among the major zoonosis viral diseases that use the Hyalomma ticks as their transmission vector to cause viral infection to the human and mammalian community. The fatality of infectious is high across the world especially in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. This study regarding codon usage bias of S, M, and L segments of the CCHF virus pertaining to the host Homo sapiens, reveals in-depth information about the evolutionary characteristics of CCHFV. Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU), Effective number of codons (ENC) were calculated, to determine the codon usage pattern in each segment. Correlation analysis between Codon adaptation index (CAI), GRAVY (Hydrophobicity), AROMO (Aromaticity), and nucleotide composition revealed bias in the codon usage pattern. There was no strong codon bias found among any segments of the CCHF virus, indicating both the factors i.e., natural selection and mutational pressure shapes the codon usage bias.

Keywords: CCHF virus; Codon usage bias; Homo sapiens; Host adaptation; Mutational pressure; Natural selection; S, M, L segments.