Genetic Characterization of the Hemagglutinin Genes of Wild-Type Measles Virus Circulating in China, 1993–2009
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: China experienced several large measles outbreaks in the past two decades, and a series of enhanced control measures were implemented to achieve the goal of measles elimination. Molecular epidemiologic surveillance of wild-type measles viruses (MeV) provides valuable information about the viral transmission patterns. Since 1993, virologic surveillnace has confirmed that a single endemic genotype H1 viruses have been predominantly circulating in China. A component of molecular surveillance is to monitor the genetic characteristics of the hemagglutinin (H) gene of MeV, the major target for virus neutralizing antibodies. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Analysis of the sequences of the complete H gene from 56 representative wild-type MeV strains circulating in China during 1993-2009 showed that the H gene sequences were clustered into 2 groups, cluster 1 and cluster 2. Cluster1 strains were the most frequently detected cluster and had a widespread distribution in China after 2000. The predicted amino acid sequences of the H protein were relatively conserved at most of the functionally significant amino acid positions. However, most of the genotype H1 cluster1 viruses had an amino acid substitution (Ser240Asn), which removed a predicted N-linked glycosylation site. In addition, the substitution of Pro397Leu in the hemagglutinin noose epitope (HNE) was identified in 23 of 56 strains. The evolutionary rate of the H gene of the genotype H1 viruses was estimated to be approximately 0.76×10(-3) substitutions per site per year, and the ratio of dN to dS (dN/dS) was <1 indicating the absence of selective pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Although H genes of the genotype H1 strains were conserved and not subjected to selective pressure, several amino acid substitutions were observed in functionally important positions. Therefore the antigenic and genetic properties of H genes of wild-type MeVs should be monitored as part of routine molecular surveillance for measles in China.
Source: PLoS ONE
Authors: Songtao Xu, Yan Zhang, Zhen Zhu, Chunyu Liu, Naiying Mao, Yixin Ji, Huiling Wang, Xiaohong Jiang, Chongshan Li, Wei Tang, Daxing Feng, Changyin Wang, Lei Zheng, Yue Lei, Hua Ling, Chunfang Zhao, Yan Ma, Jilan He, Yan Wang, Ping Li, Ronghui Guan, Shujie Zhou, Jianhui Zhou, Shuang Wang, Hong Zhang, Huanying Zheng, Leng Liu, Hemuti Ma, Jing Guan, Peishan Lu, Yan Feng, Yanjun Zhang, Shunde Zhou, Ying Xiong, Zhuoma Ba, Hui Chen, Xiuhui Yang, Fang Bo, Yujie Ma, Yong Liang, Yake Lei, Suyi Gu, Wei Liu, Meng Chen, David Featherstone, Youngmee Jee, William J. Bellini, Paul A. Rota, Wenbo Xu
Institutions: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai Municipal Center For Disease Control Prevention, Henan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hainan Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Disease Prevention and Control Center, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningxia Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Inner Mongolia Comprehensive Disease Prevention and Control Center, Guangxi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, World Health Organization, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, World Health Organization - Philippines
Language: English
Topic: Virology and Viral Diseases
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,382
OpenAlex ID: W2018875772