Isolation and genomic characterization of the first Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) papillomavirus and its phylogenetic position within Pipapillomavirus, primarily infecting rodents

Abstract

A series of papillomavirus (PV) types have been isolated from different rodent species, and most of them belong to the genus Pipapillomavirus. We isolated and sequenced the complete genome of a novel PV type (designated RnPV) from the oral cavity of the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), as well as an L1 gene fragment from hair-follicle cells of the European beaver (Castor fiber). As inferred from amino acid sequence data, RnPV clustered within the β+γ+π+Ξ-PV supertaxon as a member of the genus Pipapillomavirus. The closest relatives of RnPV were McPV-2 and MmPV, and time estimates indicated that the genus Pipapillomavirus originated in the late Cenozoic era. The close relationship of RnPV to other murid PV types supports the hypothesis of co-divergence between members of the genus Pipapillomavirus and their hosts. However, the derived Neogene origin of the genus Pipapillomavirus is much younger than has been considered for the Rodentia as the primary hosts, indicating that alternative interpretations of the phylogenetic trees should be conceived.

Genomic analysis of the first laboratory-mouse papillomavirus

“…It shares the locations of binding sites for the critical cell-regulatory factors, such as RB and TFs, with other PVs. The fact that homologies among the 5 PVs in the p genus (MaPV1, MmiPV, McPV2, RnPV1 and MusPV) were higher than those between PVs in p genus and rodent PVs in other genera, supports recent suggestions of unique co-divergency of rodent PVs in the p genus (Schulz et al, 2009).…”

“…MaPV1 could also be easily identified in DNA extracted from normal skin and mucocutaneous tissues of healthy hamsters by PCR (Iwasaki et al, 1997). The laboratory-rat PV (RnPV1) was identified only from clinically normal tissue (Schulz et al, 2009). McPV2 was isolated from anogenital wart-like lesions, which appeared on rats at approximately 8 months of age.…”

“…Their prevalence among exotic rats may be high (Schäfer et al, 2010). Another rat PV (RnPV1) was isolated from the oral cavity of a healthy female free-ranging (field sample from Germany) Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) (Schulz et al, 2009). Rodent-associated PVs have also been identified in Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus; HaOPV, recently renamed to MaPV1) (Iwasaki et al, 1997;Bernard et al, 2010), North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum; EdPV1) (Rector et al, 2005) and beavers (Castor fiber) (Schulz et al, 2009).…”

“…Another rat PV (RnPV1) was isolated from the oral cavity of a healthy female free-ranging (field sample from Germany) Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) (Schulz et al, 2009). Rodent-associated PVs have also been identified in Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus; HaOPV, recently renamed to MaPV1) (Iwasaki et al, 1997;Bernard et al, 2010), North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum; EdPV1) (Rector et al, 2005) and beavers (Castor fiber) (Schulz et al, 2009). Until recently, the only PV associated with any mouse species was isolated from a zoo colony of European harvest mice (Micromys minutus; MmPV, recently renamed MmiPV) Sundberg et al, 1988;van Ranst et al, 1992;Van Doorslaer et al, 2007;Bernard et al, 2010).…”

Characterization of Mus musculus Papillomavirus 1 Infection In Situ Reveals an Unusual Pattern of Late Gene Expression and Capsid Protein Localization

“…These two viruses cause spontaneous lesions at distinct anatomical sites: MnPV is responsible for the development of benign skin papillomas and keratoacanthomas, occurring in 30 to 40% of animals at the age of 1 year, and McPV2 for benign papillomas on the anogenital mucosa, found in 7 to 8% of animals by the age of 8 months (4). Other rodent PVs include MaPV1 (previously named hamster oral papillomavirus [HOPV]), identified in the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) (5), EdPV1 in the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) (6), and RnPV1 and RnPV2 in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) (7,8). Two mouse-associated PVs are MmPV, isolated from the European harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) (9,10), and the more recently identified AsPV1, found in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) (8).…”