Journal of Phylogenetics & Evolutionary Biology

Phylogenetic Analysis of Selected RHDV Strains on the Basis of a Fragment of the Gene Encoding C-Terminal End of VP60 Capsid Structural Protein

Abstract

Beata Hukowska-Szematowicz, Beata Tokarz-Deptuła, Wiesław Deptuła

Phylogenetic analyses of RHDV provide information on the affinity of strains and point to evolutionary dependencies among them. The objective of the study was the phylogenetic analysis of six strains of RHD virus, including four Czech strains (CAMPV-351, CAMPV-561, CAMPV-562, CAMPV-558) and two French strains (Fr-1, Fr-2), on the basis of a fragment of the gene encoding C-terminal end of VP60 capsid structural protein. Phylogenetic analysis involved 25 sequences of RHDV homologues obtained from RHDV GenBank. The phylogenetic tree generated for 31 RHDV strains on the basis of a fragment of the gene encoding C-terminal end of VP60 capsid structural protein divided the strains analysed into four genetic groups (G1-G4), whereas the strains analysed were grouped in three genetic groups: G1 (CAMPV-351, CAMPV-562, CAMPV-558), G2 (Fr-1, Fr-2) and G3 (CAMPV-561). The phylogenetic analysis performed for Czech and French strains evidences that the strains feature different evolutionary paths and derive from European strains that caused foci of the plague in Germany and France. The obtained distribution of strains into four genetic groups testifies to their evolution, which is proved by group 4 gathering RHDVa strains.