Article
Biology
Asher Preska Steinberg, Mingzhi Lin, Edo Kussell
Summary: Recombination plays a key role in microbial evolution and affects antibiotic resistance, antigenic variation, and adaptation to different environments. This study quantifies the impact of homologous recombination on core and accessory genes in bacteria using a computationally efficient approach. The results show that core genes have higher recombination rates compared to accessory genes, and in some bacterial species, this difference is pronounced. Additionally, gene frequency and homologous recombination rate are positively correlated in some species.
Article
Immunology
Jan H. Forth, Sten Calvelage, Melina Fischer, Jan Hellert, Julia Sehl-Ewert, Hanna Roszyk, Paul Deutschmann, Adam Reichold, Martin Lange, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Carola Sauter-Louis, Dirk Hoper, Svitlana Mandyhra, Maryna Sapachova, Martin Beer, Sandra Blome
Summary: African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large and complex DNA virus that circulates between soft ticks and indigenous suids in sub-Saharan Africa. It has recently spread from Europe to Asia, causing severe haemorrhagic disease with high lethality rates in wild boar and domestic pigs. ASFV has shown high genetic stability for over a decade, making it difficult to trace outbreaks and conduct genomic surveillance. However, during its incursion into Germany in 2020, ASFV unexpectedly diverged into five distinct lineages with unique mutations. This new finding suggests a potential impact on the course of the ASFV pandemic.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Victoria Mesa, Marc Monot, Laurent Ferraris, Michel Popoff, Christelle Mazuet, Frederic Barbut, Johanne Delannoy, Bruno Dupuy, Marie-Jose Butel, Julio Aires
Summary: This study provides the closed genome assembly and functional annotation of Clostridium neonatale ATCC BAA-265(T) reference strain. Pan-genome, core-genome, and accessory genome analyses reveal the genetic diversity and plasticity of C. neonatale genomes. The findings contribute to the understanding of the biological capabilities of this species.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Wen Feng, Lei Zhou, Pengju Zhao, Heng Du, Chenguang Diao, Yu Zhang, Zhen Liu, Wenjiao Jin, Jian Yu, Jianlin Han, Edward Okoth, Raphael Mrode, Jian-Feng Liu
Summary: This study aimed to fill the gaps in understanding the evolution and genetic basis of African Suidae, particularly in relation to warthog resistance against African swine fever (ASF). The analysis of warthog and Kenyan domestic pig genomes revealed the adaptation of warthogs to the African environment and identified lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) as a potential tolerance gene to ASF. This study provides valuable resources and data support for future evolutionary research on African pigs and sheds light on the resistance mechanisms of warthogs against ASF.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
ChiHai Ji, JingZhe Jiang, YingFang Wei, ZhiYuan Wang, YongJie Chen, ZhanZhuo Mai, MengKai Cai, ChenXiao Qin, Yu Cai, HeYou Yi, Guan Liang, Gang Lu, Lang Gong, GuiHong Zhang, Heng Wang
Summary: The African swine fever outbreak in China in 2018 severely damaged the pig industry in the country. The complex genome of ASFV and inadequate whole genome information highlight the importance of efficiently obtaining virus genome sequences. Our method provides an efficient way to sequence whole genomes and facilitate ASFV genome sequencing and novel virus discovery.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Huimin Wang, Ailing Su, Chengxin Bao, Chongyang Liang, Weiqing Xu, Jingjing Chang, Shuping Xu
Summary: A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) strategy combined with a CRISPR/Cas12a system is designed for amplification-free gene detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV). The method achieves high sensitivity and selectivity in liquid-phase detection, and is mainly used for on-site inspection and quick testing of gene samples.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fenglin Guo, Yuejun Shi, Mengfang Yang, Yilin Guo, Zhou Shen, Mengxia Li, Yixi Chen, Rui Liang, Yilin Yang, Huanchun Chen, Guiqing Peng
Summary: African swine fever (ASF) caused by ASFV is an acute, hemorrhagic, and highly contagious disease with no commercial antiviral drug available for treatment. The crystal structure of ASFV core shell protein p15 has been resolved, revealing secondary structural elements and nucleic acid-binding properties, providing new insights for antiviral drug development.
Article
Virology
Edward Spinard, Ayushi Rai, Jehadi Osei-Bonsu, Vivian O'Donnell, Patrick T. Ababio, Daniel Tawiah-Yingar, Daniel Arthur, Daniel Baah, Elizabeth Ramirez-Medina, Nallely Espinoza, Alyssa Valladares, Bonto Faburay, Aruna Ambagala, Theophlius Odoom, Manuel V. Borca, Douglas P. Gladue
Summary: African swine fever (ASF) has been causing outbreaks in Africa for over a century and since 1957, sporadic outbreaks have occurred outside Africa. The current ASF pandemic, originating from a 2007 outbreak in Georgia, has been particularly devastating. This study collected ASF isolates from samples in Ghana and found that the circulating strains in 2022 were derivatives of the p72 Genotype II pandemic strain, demonstrating the emergence of Genotype II ASFV in Ghana for the first time.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edward Spinard, Vivian O'Donnell, Elizabeth Vuono, Ayushi Rai, Charronne Davis, Elizabeth Ramirez-Medina, Nallely Espinoza, Alyssa Valladares, Manuel V. Borca, Douglas P. P. Gladue
Summary: African swine fever, a lethal disease of domestic pigs, has reappeared in the Dominican Republic after more than 40 years of absence in the Western hemisphere. This recent outbreak strain, identified as a genotype II ASFV, has close relation to the ASF strains circulating in Asia and Europe.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Liyi Chen, Xinheng Zhang, Guanming Shao, Yangyang Shao, Zezhong Hu, Keyu Feng, Zi Xie, Hongxin Li, Weiguo Chen, Wencheng Lin, Hengxing Yuan, Hailong Wang, Jun Fu, Qingmei Xie
Summary: A recombinant virus expressing African swine fever virus (ASFV) antigen genes was successfully constructed using pseudorabies virus as the viral vector, and its immunogenicity in inducing high levels of antibodies in vivo was validated. These findings are of significance for the development of new ASFV vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Iliana Guardiola-Avila, Leonor Sanchez-Buso, Evelia Acedo-Felix, Bruno Gomez-Gil, Manuel Zuniga-Cabrera, Fernando Gonzalez-Candelas, Lorena Noriega-Orozco
Summary: This study analyzed the genome composition of nine V. mimicus strains, revealing the core and accessory genes as well as phylogenetic relationships. The main virulence genes and categories were identified in different chromosomes, shedding light on the diversity and virulence potential of V. mimicus.
Review
Biology
Zhaoyao Li, Wenxian Chen, Zilong Qiu, Yuwan Li, Jindai Fan, Keke Wu, Xiaowen Li, Mingqiu Zhao, Hongxing Ding, Shuangqi Fan, Jinding Chen
Summary: African swine fever is a highly fatal viral disease in domestic pigs and wild boars, impacting pig-raising countries and pork trade. Safe and effective vaccines are urgently needed to control outbreaks. Understanding the structure, function, immune response, and diagnosis of the ASF virus is crucial for vaccine development.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jingyue Bao, Yong Zhang, Chuan Shi, Qinghua Wang, Shujuan Wang, Xiaodong Wu, Shengbo Cao, Fengping Xu, Zhiliang Wang
Summary: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly important animal disease that affects domestic swine globally. This study focused on analyzing the genome sequences of circulating ASFV strains to gain insights into the disease outbreaks. A curated dataset of 123 high-quality ASFV genome sequences representing 10 genotypes was prepared and used for phylogenetic analysis, which provided a high-resolution topology for genotyping ASFV isolates. The study also revealed wide distribution and high variation of tandem repeat sequences in ASFV genomes, as well as structural variation and highly variable poly G or poly C tracts. Overall, this study improved our understanding of the genetic variation of ASFV and will facilitate further research on ASFV molecular epidemiology.
Article
Immunology
Siqi Cai, Zezhong Zheng, JiaoJiao Cheng, Lintao Zhong, Ran Shao, Feiyan Zheng, Zhiying Lai, Jiajun Ou, Liang Xu, Pei Zhou, Gang Lu, Guihong Zhang
Summary: This study identified swine interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (SwIFITMs) as having potent antiviral activity against African swine fever virus (ASFV). These proteins were found to be constitutively expressed in most porcine tissues and their expression levels were induced by ASFV infection or swine interferon treatment. Overexpression of SwIFITMs inhibited ASFV replication in Vero cells, while knockdown of these genes enhanced ASFV replication in PAMs. The study also demonstrated that endogenous IFITMs play a role in restricting ASFV replication. Overall, this research expands our understanding of the antiviral activity of porcine IFITMs against ASFV.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ali Mazloum, Antoinette van Schalkwyk, Andrey Shotin, Nikolay Zinyakov, Alexey Igolkin, Roman Chernishev, Zoran Debeljak, Fedor Korennoy, Alexander V. Sprygin
Summary: Since the first report of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in Georgia in 2007, the disease has spread rapidly across Europe, Russia, and Asia. This study examines ASFV isolates from the Russian region of Kaliningrad and finds that they are closely related to isolates from Poland and Germany. A unique mutation at a specific locus was identified, providing an additional marker for distinguishing these isolates.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Libao Xie, Yuying Han, Yuteng Ma, Mengqi Yuan, Weike Li, Lian-Feng Li, Miao Li, Yuan Sun, Yuzi Luo, Su Li, Shouping Hu, Yongfeng Li, Hua-Ji Qiu
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Li Zhang, Yuzi Luo, Wei Wang, Yuan Sun, Jiaoer Zhang, Madiha Fatima, Xiangdong Jia, Hua-Ji Qiu
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liang Wang, Xavier Didelot, Jing Yang, Gary Wong, Yi Shi, Wenjun Liu, George F. Gao, Yuhai Bi
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Jing Yang, Peihua Niu, Lijuan Chen, Liang Wang, Li Zhao, Baoying Huang, Juncai Ma, Songnian Hu, Linhuan Wu, Guizhen Wu, Chun Huang, Yuhai Bi, Wenjie Tan
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yun-Juan Bao, Junhui Qiu, Yuzi Luo, Fernando Rodriguez, Hua-Ji Qiu
Summary: The study revealed a high level of genetic variability of ASFV shaped by both diversifying selection and selective sweep, highlighting strong signals of adaptive evolution. Further examination of the sequence properties suggests a link between selection signatures and virus-host interactions, enhancing understanding of the genetic basis of ASFV adaptation and spread.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Madiha Fatima, Yuzi Luo, Li Zhang, Peng-Ying Wang, Hao Song, Yanhui Fu, Yongfeng Li, Yuan Sun, Su Li, Yun-Juan Bao, Hua-Ji Qiu
Summary: Recent studies in China have identified new isolates of classical swine fever virus that exhibit molecular variations and antigenic alterations, potentially capable of escaping vaccine-derived immune response. This highlights the necessity for updated control strategies against the disease.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zengyuan Zhang, Yanfang Zhang, Kefang Liu, Yan Li, Qiong Lu, Qingling Wang, Yuqin Zhang, Liang Wang, Hanyi Liao, Anqi Zheng, Sufang Ma, Zheng Fan, Huifang Li, Weijin Huang, Yuhai Bi, Xin Zhao, Qihui Wang, George F. Gao, Haixia Xiao, Zhou Tong, Jianxun Qi, Yeping Sun
Summary: The study found that the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 can bind to the receptor of dog angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (dACE2), allowing both pseudotyped and authentic SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells expressing dACE2. Additionally, important mutations in the RBD binding interface are identified to play a pivotal role in the binding affinity of RBD to both dACE2 and hACE2, providing insights into potential animal spread and cross-species transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinbo Cheng, Yuan Dong, Jun Ma, Ruiyuan Pan, Yajin Liao, Xiangxi Kong, Xiaoheng Li, Shuoshuo Li, Pingfang Chen, Liang Wang, Ye Yu, Zengqiang Yuan
Summary: This study showed that increased expression of Calhm2 in an AD mouse model, and its knockout significantly reduced amyloid beta deposition, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairments. Knockout of Calhm2 inhibited microglial proinflammatory activity but increased phagocytic activity, leading to the restoration of the balance between inflammation and phagocytosis.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Liang Wang, Xavier Didelot, Yuhai Bi, George F. Gao
Summary: Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several variants of concern with increased transmissibility have been reported. Current vaccines only provide partial protection against infection and onward transmission. Through phylogenetic analysis and epidemiological modeling, researchers found that lineage B had significantly higher transmissibility than lineage A and played a major role in the global pandemic. The probability of onward transmission from vaccinated individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 VOCs was slightly lower but not significantly different from unvaccinated individuals. Tailoring prevention strategies should consider both VOCs and exponentially growing lineages in each country. One dose of vaccination alone cannot efficiently prevent the onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, and nonpharmaceutical interventions should still be implemented during the vaccination period.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Li Pan, Rui Luo, Tao Wang, Mengnan Qi, Bing Wang, Maowen Sun, Yuzi Luo, Chen Ji, Yuan Sun, Hua-Ji Qiu
Summary: This study demonstrated that highly complexed iodine (HPCI) disinfectant could rapidly and efficiently inactivate African swine fever virus (ASFV), representing an effective disinfectant for ASF control.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Pingping Zhou, Jingwen Dai, Kehui Zhang, Tao Wang, Lian-Feng Li, Yuzi Luo, Yuan Sun, Hua-Ji Qiu, Su Li
Summary: The study reveals an antagonistic mechanism by which ASFV-AH240R suppresses the host immune response by manipulating activation of the NF-kappa B signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yang Pan, Liang Wang, Zhaomin Feng, Hui Xu, Fu Li, Ying Shen, Daitao Zhang, William J. Liu, George F. Gao, Quanyi Wang
Summary: Due to the national zero-COVID strategy in China, there were no local transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 in Beijing before December 2022. However, imported cases have been frequently detected. With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in China, there are concerns about the emergence of novel variants. This study analyzes viral genome sequences in Beijing to provide important information for the global response to the pandemic.
Article
Virology
Yongfeng Li, Mengqi Yuan, Yuying Han, Libao Xie, Yuteng Ma, Su Li, Yuan Sun, Yuzi Luo, Weike Li, Hua-Ji Qiu
Summary: This study identified a unique glycosylation on the E2 glycoprotein of the C-strain vaccine against classical swine fever, which is responsible for viral attenuation and protection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liang Wang, Xavier Didelot, Yuhai Bi, George F. Gao
Summary: The study found that at least 12.5% of all individuals infected with human-transmitted dominant mink-derived SARS-CoV-2 variants in Denmark and the Netherlands were caused by human-to-human transmission. This suggests the need for monitoring and prevention measures to avoid large-scale community transmission caused by the virus jumping between animals and humans.
