Article
Microbiology
Xiaojing Wang, Jie Cui
Summary: A novel endogenous foamy virus, named TraEFV, was discovered in the genomes of two even-toed ungulate chevrotains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that TraEFV is more closely related to exogenous foamy viruses from feline rather than those from cow and horse. Additionally, TraEFV could be divided into two lineages, indicating multiple ancient invasions of the host species. This study enriches the host taxonomy of spumaretroviruses.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Virology
Paolo Capozza, Nicola Decaro, Farzad Beikpour, Canio Buonavoglia, Vito Martella
Summary: Studies have found a virus similar to human hepatitis B virus in cats, and antibodies for human hepatitis E have been detected in cats. The correlation between these viruses and liver injury in cats needs to be further investigated, but hepatotropic viruses may pose an increasing risk to feline and public health.
Article
Virology
Shi-Jia Le, Gen-Yang Xin, Wei-Chen Wu, Mang Shi
Summary: In this study, the global diversity of all known cat viruses was comprehensively analyzed, with a focus on their geographic expansion patterns, temporal dynamics, and recombination frequencies. The findings deepen our understanding of the evolutionary and epidemiological features of cat viruses and provide important insight into the prevention and control of cat pathogens.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Angel Patino-Galindo, Ioan Filip, Raul Rabadan
Summary: Recombination plays a significant role in driving viral evolution and adaptation, with differences in recombination rates observed among viruses infecting humans. Positive single-stranded RNA viruses exhibit higher recombination frequencies, while an inverse correlation is found between genome length and recombination rate across multiple viruses.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yicong Chen, Xiaojing Wang, Meng-En Liao, Yuhe Song, Yu-Yi Zhang, Jie Cui
Summary: By analyzing over 30,000 copies of ERV lineages with gamma-type Env (GTE) in anamniotes, several important evolutionary features were identified. First, GTE was found to be widely distributed among different amphibians and fish. Second, nine types of GTE were discovered and defined, revealing their great genetic diversity. Third, the incongruence between the Env and Pol phylogenies suggested that frequent recombination shaped the early evolution of anamniote retroviruses. Fourth, an ancient horizontal gene transfer event was discovered from anamniotes to ERVs with GTE. These findings reveal a complex evolution pattern for retroviral Env in anamniotes.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Ananda Ayyappan Jaguva Vasudevan, Daniel Becker, Tom Luedde, Holger Gohlke, Carsten Munk
Summary: Non-human primates are a significant source of viruses that can be transmitted to humans, including a unique class of retroviruses called foamy viruses. These viruses are common in various mammalian natural hosts but not in humans, and their viral life cycle differs significantly from other retroviruses. Foamy viruses can replicate in the presence of many well-defined retroviral restriction factors, presenting unique challenges for understanding their interaction with host cells.
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Charles Addo Nyarko, Annaliese S. Mason
Summary: Polyploids need to segregate homologous chromosomes correctly, which is not only determined by sequence similarity but also under strong genetic control that may vary between lineages. Factors such as partner availability and genome structure may also influence the level of sequence similarity required for crossover formation.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Yicong Chen, Yu-Yi Zhang, Xiaoman Wei, Jie Cui
Summary: This study revealed 412 FVs from 6 lineages in amphibians, with salamander FVs showing a coevolutionary pattern with hosts dating back to the Paleozoic era. Frog FVs were more likely acquired from cross-species transmission in the Cenozoic era. Three distinct FV lineages integrated into a salamander's genome, and an endogenous FV lineage expressing complete major genes was discovered in caecilians, suggesting potential exogenous FV existence outside of mammals. These findings significantly enhance understanding of the macroevolution of complex retroviruses.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ling Chen, Cheng Guo, Chenge Yan, Rui Sun, Yongqiang Li
Summary: To investigate the diversity of lily viruses, lilies with virus-like symptoms were collected in Beijing, and the complete and nearly full-length viral genomes were determined through deep sequencing. Two novel viruses, LaEV-1 and LaPV-1, were identified and classified into Alphaendornavirus and Polerovirus, respectively. SLRSV was identified for the first time in China, showing high nucleotide diversity. The diversity of lily-infecting viruses is influenced by sequence insertion, host species, and recombination.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Saili Chabukswar, Nicole Grandi, Liang-Tzung Lin, Enzo Tramontano
Summary: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are fossil records of ancestral retroviral diversity and their evolution within the host genome, with thousands of ERV copies integrated into vertebrates' genomes. The env gene, encoding envelope proteins that initiate infection, plays a crucial role in understanding ERVs' evolutionary trajectory. Recombination events, including env gene acquisition from distantly related retroviruses, env swapping facilitating cross-species transmission, ectopic recombination, and template switching, shape retroviral diversification and evolution. This review explores reported recombination events involving ERV env, laying the foundation for further studies in this field.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Weiyi Li, Rongting Li, Xiaomin Tang, Jinzhi Cheng, Lin Zhan, Zhengling Shang, Jiahong Wu
Summary: Genetic reassortment and recombination among Jingmen viruses associated with ticks and vertebrates complicate their evolutionary relationships and pose a risk to humans.
Article
Agronomy
Maria Lopez-Martin, Alicia Sifres, Maria Luisa Gomez-Guillamon, Belen Pico, Ana Perez-de-Castro
Summary: Monitoring viral infections in cucurbit fields is crucial for preventing major economic losses. Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were identified as the main viruses infecting cucurbits in the Spanish Mediterranean area. New variants of WMV and CMV were also found.
Article
Virology
Katelyn Erbeck, Roderick B. Gagne, Simona Kraberger, Elliott S. Chiu, Melody Roelke-Parker, Sue VandeWoude
Summary: This study examines the recombination behavior of exogenous and endogenous FeLV in a natural FeLV outbreak. The results show that while FeLV-A and enFeLV env regions are highly conserved, nearly all individuals with emergent FeLV-B had unique combinations of genotypes, representing a wide range of recombination sites within env.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Jialu Zheng, Yutong Wei, Guan-Zhu Han
Summary: In this review, recent advances in understanding the diversity and evolution of retroviruses are summarized from the perspective of viral fossils, with a focus on endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) as molecular fossils that document past viral infections, providing crucial insights into the evolutionary history of retroviruses .
Article
Virology
Mingyue Chen, Xiaoxia Guo, Lei Zhang
Summary: Through genomic analysis of amphibians, class II ERVs were discovered for the first time, possibly originating from alpha- or betaretroviruses and recently integrated into their genomes. Some amphibian class II ERVs can be expressed in diverse tissues, filling a major gap in the retroviral fossil record and suggesting ongoing infection by class II retroviruses in amphibians.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nora Schmidt, Caleb A. Lareau, Hasmik Keshishian, Sabina Ganskih, Cornelius Schneider, Thomas Hennig, Randy Melanson, Simone Werner, Yuanjie Wei, Matthias Zimmer, Jens Ade, Luisa Kirschner, Sebastian Zielinski, Lars Doelken, Eric S. Lander, Neva Caliskan, Utz Fischer, Joerg Vogel, Steven A. Carr, Jochen Bodem, Mathias Munschauer
Summary: Characterizing the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 viral RNAs and host cell proteins during infection can enhance our understanding of viral RNA functions and the host innate immune response. Identification of specific host proteins that restrict viral replication and exploring defense strategies will aid in the development of targeted therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Julian Breidenbach, Carina Lemke, Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar, Laura Schaekel, Ghazl Al Hamwi, Miriam Diett, Robin Gedschold, Nina Geiger, Vittoria Lopez, Salahuddin Mirza, Vigneshwaran Namasivayam, Anke C. Schiedel, Katharina Sylvester, Dominik Thimm, Christin Vielmuth, Lan Phuong Vu, Maria Zyulina, Jochen Bodem, Michael Guetschow, Christa E. Mueller
Summary: Two classes of protease inhibitors, azanitriles and pyridyl esters, were identified and optimized for potential use against COVID-19. Tailored peptides with unique azanitrile warheads showed promising results in inhibiting M-pro and cathepsin L. Through a focused approach, two irreversible inhibitors, azanitrile 8 and pyridyl ester 17, have been discovered as potential drug candidates for further development.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melissa Zimniak, Luisa Kirschner, Helen Hilpert, Nina Geiger, Olga Danov, Heike Oberwinkler, Maria Steinke, Katherina Sewald, Juergen Seibel, Jochen Bodem
Summary: Research has found that Fluoxetine can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and show activity in human lung tissue. Both stereoisomers of Fluoxetine exhibit similar activity against the virus, with the R-form possibly being specifically used for SARS-CoV-2 treatment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Farwa Batool, Muhammad Saeed, Hafiza Nosheen Saleem, Luisa Kirschner, Jochen Bodem
Summary: This study synthesized several new N-substituted 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-ones (BITs) through a simplified synthetic route and tested their inhibitory activity against dengue virus protease. The results indicate the potential of two BITs for developing new anti-dengue therapeutics.
Article
Immunology
Fengming Liu, Kun Han, Robert Blair, Kornelia Kenst, Zhongnan Qin, Berin Upcin, Philipp Woersdoerfer, Cecily C. Midkiff, Joseph Mudd, Elizaveta Belyaeva, Nicholas S. Milligan, Tyler D. Rorison, Nicole Wagner, Jochen Bodem, Lars Doelken, Bertal H. Aktas, Richard S. Vander Heide, Xiao-Ming Yin, Jay K. Kolls, Chad J. Roy, Jay Rappaport, Sueleyman Erguen, Xuebin Qin
Summary: This study found that SARS-CoV-2 may directly infect mature vascular endothelial cells in vivo and ex vivo, potentially contributing to cardiovascular complications in SARS-CoV-2 infection, including multiple organ failure.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Susanne Krasemann, Undine Haferkamp, Susanne Pfefferle, Marcel S. Woo, Fabian Heinrich, Michaela Schweizer, Antje Appelt-Menzel, Alevtina Cubukova, Janica Barenberg, Jennifer Leu, Kristin Hartmann, Edda Thies, Jessica Lisa Littau, Diego Sepulveda-Falla, Liang Zhang, Kathy Ton, Yan Liang, Jakob Matschke, Franz Ricklefs, Thomas Sauvigny, Jan Sperhake, Antonia Fitzek, Anna Gerhartl, Andreas Brachner, Nina Geiger, Eva-Maria Koenig, Jochen Bodem, Soren Franzenburg, Andre Franke, Stefan Moese, Franz-Josef Mueller, Gerd Geisslinger, Carsten Claussen, Aimo Kannt, Andrea Zaliani, Philip Gribbon, Benjamin Ondruschka, Winfried Neuhaus, Manuel A. Friese, Markus Glatzel, Ole Pless
Summary: Neurological complications are common in COVID-19. This study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 can enter the brain through the blood-brain barrier and cause increased interferon signaling. In vitro experiments show that SARS-CoV-2 can infect BCECs and replicate, with the virus being transported across the barrier. This process can be inhibited by specific antibodies or inhibitors.
Article
Immunology
Laura Cyran, Julia Serfling, Luisa Kirschner, Hartmann Raifer, Michael Lohoff, Heike M. Hermanns, Andreas Kerstan, Jochen Bodem, Manfred B. Lutz
Summary: FL10 selectively promotes the development and survival of cDC2 subset in bone marrow cells, which exhibit unique characteristics in the expression of transcription factors and immune response compared to other cells.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maik Friedrich, Gabriele Pfeifer, Stefanie Binder, Achim Aigner, Philippe Vollmer Barbosa, Gustavo R. Makert, Jasmin Fertey, Sebastian Ulbert, Jochen Bodem, Eva-Maria Koenig, Nina Geiger, Axel Schambach, Erik Schilling, Tilo Buschmann, Sunna Hauschildt, Ulrike Koehl, Katherina Sewald
Summary: In 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak caused a global pandemic. Besides vaccines, there is a need for novel treatment options. The use of siRNA targeting ACE2 and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome is an effective strategy to prevent viral entry into host cells or interfere with viral replication.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Nina Geiger, Louise Kersting, Jan Schlegel, Linda Stelz, Sofie Faehr, Viktoria Diesendorf, Valeria Roll, Marie Sostmann, Eva-Maria Koenig, Sebastian Reinhard, Daniela Brenner, Sibylle Schneider-Schaulies, Markus Sauer, Jurgen Seibel, Jochen Bodem
Summary: The study demonstrates that fluoxetine and its derivative AKS466 can interfere with the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting acid ceramidase activity. The findings suggest that acid ceramidase may serve as a host factor for SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Immunology
Nina Geiger, Eva-Maria Koenig, Heike Oberwinkler, Valeria Roll, Viktoria Diesendorf, Sofie Faehr, Helena Obernolte, Katherina Sewald, Sabine Wronski, Maria Steinke, Jochen Bodem
Summary: The study found that aspirin and its metabolite salicylic acid can inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus in cells. Although these compounds do not interfere with viral entry, they can inhibit post-entry pathways, thereby reducing the expression of viral RNA.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Brenner, Nina Geiger, Jan Schlegel, Viktoria Diesendorf, Louise Kersting, Julian Fink, Linda Stelz, Sibylle Schneider-Schaulies, Markus Sauer, Jochen Bodem, Juergen Seibel
Summary: Recently, the effectiveness of C6-ceramides in suppressing viral replication by trapping the virus in lysosomes has been demonstrated. In this study, a synthetic ceramide derivative called AKS461 was evaluated for its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that AKS461 accumulated in lysosomes and efficiently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in different cell types. This study highlights the importance of lysosomes as the central organelle for C6-ceramides to inhibit viral replication and provides a tool for studying ceramide-associated cellular and viral pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nora Schmidt, Sabina Ganskih, Yuanjie Wei, Alexander Gabel, Sebastian Zielinski, Hasmik Keshishian, Caleb A. Lareau, Liv Zimmermann, Jana Makroczyova, Cadence Pearce, Karsten Krey, Thomas Hennig, Sebastian Stegmaier, Lambert Moyon, Marc Horlacher, Simone Werner, Jens Aydin, Marco Olguin-Nava, Ramya Potabattula, Anuja Kibe, Lars Doelken, Redmond P. Smyth, Neva Caliskan, Annalisa Marsico, Christine Krempl, Jochen Bodem, Andreas Pichlmair, Steven A. Carr, Petr Chlanda, Florian Erhard, Mathias Munschauer
Summary: Regulation of viral RNA biogenesis is crucial for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The host protein SND1 is identified to bind negatively-sense viral RNA and is essential for SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis. The viral protein NSP9 is covalently linked to the ends of viral RNA during infection and interacts with SND1 to initiate viral RNA synthesis.
Article
Immunology
Muhammad Daud, Prasad Dasari, Marion Adelfinger, Daniela Langenhorst, Jasmin Lother, Dragana Slavkovic-Lukic, Carsten Berges, Michaela Kruhm, Annette Galler, Cathrin Schleussner, Christian H. Luther, Karl Alberter, Anton Althammer, Haroon Shaikh, Niklas Pallmann, Jochen Bodem, Mohammed El-Mowafy, Andreas Beilhack, Marcus Dittrich, Max S. Topp, Peter F. Zipfel, Niklas Beyersdorf
Summary: To gain a better understanding of life-threatening fungal infections caused by Candida albicans, our study conducted in silico screening to identify protein interactions between the fungus and the host. We discovered that the human CD4 binds to the C. albicans protein enolase 1 (Eno1), which affects the immune response and cytokine secretion. This interaction modulates CD4(+) T-cell responses, favoring the fungus.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nina Geiger, Viktoria Diesendorf, Valeria Roll, Eva-Maria Koenig, Helena Obernolte, Katherina Sewald, Julian Breidenbach, Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar, Michael Guetschow, Christa E. Mueller, Jochen Bodem
Summary: Recently, we investigated novel pyridyl indole esters and peptidomimetics as potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. We analyzed the impact of these compounds on viral replication and found that their effectiveness varied in different cell lines. In Huh-7 cells, the protease inhibitors suppressed viral replication by up to 5 orders of magnitude, while in Calu-3 cells, suppression by 2 orders of magnitude was achieved. Three pyridin-3-yl indole-carboxylates showed antiviral activity in all cell lines and also in human precision-cut lung slices.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Rinu Sivarajan, Heike Oberwinkler, Valeria Roll, Eva-Maria Koenig, Maria Steinke, Jochen Bodem
Summary: This study found that compounds in black currant and bilberry extracts have inhibitory effects on measles virus and herpes simplex virus. Furthermore, these compounds exhibit synergistic effects with aciclovir and also inhibit the replication of human herpesvirus 8.
BMC COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AND THERAPIES
(2022)
