Abstract: The neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences of four Indian equine influenza viruses (EIVs) isolated from epizootic in 2008 and 2009 were analyzed. The phylogenetic relationship and selection pressure of NA genes were established in comparison to other EIVs circulating worldwide along with the domains and motifs of the encoded protein to find out the significance of mutational changes. Among Indian isolates, two amino acid (aa) changes each in Mysore/12/08 (Asn67Tyr & Asp396Gly), Gopeshwar/1/09 (Ile49Val & Asp396Gly), and Uttarkashi/1/09 (Ile49Val & Asp396Gly) isolates were observed in respect to Jammu-Katra/06/08 isolate. Amino acid (aa) sequence analysis also revealed five consistent aa residue changes viz, Gly/Arg40Glu, Tyr66His, Val191Ile, Val209Ile and Asp235Asn in Asian including Indian isolates, Spain/07 and Spain/09 isolates in comparison to other EIVs circulating worldwide. The topology of the phylogenetic tree revealed that the Indian, Chinese, Mongolian and Kazakhstan isolates together formed a subgroup with Yokohama/10 isolate. Spain/07 & Spain/09 isolates showed closest clustering with Asian isolates. This indicates that non-synonymous mutations in Asian isolates with temporal pattern originating from Spain/07, led to the subgroup of the Asian isolates within Florida clade 2 sublineage. The analysis of the predicted secondary structure has not shown any significant difference in the NA proteins of all Indian isolates. Fixed-effects likelihood (FEL) analysis of the selection pressure revealed three codons (43, 355 & 434) under positive selection pressure. The overall evolutionary changes (ω value) of 3.4 indicates NA gene to be under strong selection pressure. Further, seven putative N-glycosylation sites were observed in the NA protein. The mapping of specific aa changes, their mutational and functional analysis need to be carried out to ascertain their role in pathogenecity of the virus.
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The research article is dealing with the analysis of genetic changes in the neuraminidase (NA) gene of horse flu viruses found in India during a widespread outbreak in 2008 and 2009.
Objective and Methodology
The study focuses on the genetic analysis of the neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences of four equine influenza viruses (EIV) isolated from an epidemic in 2008 and 2009 in India.
The researchers establish the phylogenetic relationships and selection pressures of these NA genes by comparing them with other EIVs around the world. The purpose of this is to discover the effect of mutational changes.
Findings
The research identified various amino acid changes among the Indian isolates compared to a specific isolate known as Jammu-Katra/06/08.
A broader sequence analysis across all EIVs showed five consistent amino acid changes in Asian (including Indian), Spanish ’07 and ’09 isolates.
The phylogenetic tree (a branching diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various species) showed that the studied Indian viruses, together with the ones from China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan, formed a subgroup with Yokohama/10 isolate. The Spanish ’07 and ’09 isolates showed a close relationship with the Asian group.
Implications and Conclusions
The study indicates that particular mutations in Asian isolates, originating from Spain’s 2007 virus, led to the unique subgroup within the Florida clade 2 sublineage.
Despite the various mutations, there was no significant difference in the predicted secondary structure of the NA proteins in all Indian isolates. This suggests that these mutations may not drastically affect the overall organization and function of the protein.
The furthers study highlighted certain selection pressures causing positive changes in specific codons (molecular units) in the genes. The research discovered a significant overall evolutionary rate (ω value), suggesting these genes are under strong selection pressure, driving adaptation and evolution.
The study also found multiple spots in the NA protein where glycosylation (the addition of sugars to a protein) may occur. This addition could potentially influence the function or stability of the protein.
However, to ascertain the exact role of these specific amino acid changes in the pathogenicity (disease-causing ability) of the horse flu virus, further research needs to be conducted by mapping these amino acid changes and performing functional and mutational analyses.
Cite This Article
APA
Bera BC, Virmani N, Shanmugasundaram K, Vaid RK, Singh BK, Gulati BR, Anand T, Barua S, Malik P, Singh RK.
(2013).
Genetic Analysis of the Neuraminidase (NA) Gene of Equine Influenza Virus (H3N8) from Epizootic of 2008-2009 in India.
Indian J Virol, 24(2), 256-264.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13337-013-0137-0
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Virmani, N
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Shanmugasundaram, K
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Vaid, R K
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Singh, B K
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Gulati, B R
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Anand, T
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Barua, S
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Malik, P
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
Singh, R K
National Research Centre on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar, 125001 Haryana India.
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