Identification and characterization of ERV-W-like sequences in Platyrrhini species provides new insights into the evolutionary history of ERV-W in primates

• Published in: Mobile DNA Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 6
• Main Authors: Grandi, Nicole, Pisano, Maria Paola, Demurtas, Martina, Blomberg, Jonas, Magiorkinis, Gkikas, Mayer, Jens, Tramontano, Enzo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 01.02.2020; BMC
• Subjects: 5 ' leader; Catarrhini; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Endogenous retrovirus; ERV-W; ERV1-1; Evolution; Genes; Genomes; HERV phylogeny; Monkeys & apes; Platyrrhini; Pre-gag; Primate evolution; ERV-W; HERV phylogeny; Primate evolution; Endogenous retrovirus; Pre-gag; ERV1–1; Catarrhini; 5′ leader; Platyrrhini
• ISSN: 1759-8753; 1759-8753
• DOI: 10.1186/s13100-020-0203-2

Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) constitute approximately 8% of every human genome and are relics of ancestral infections that affected the germ line cells. The ERV-W group contributed to primate physiology by providing an envelope protein (Syncytin-1) that has been adopted for placenta development in hominoids. Expression of Human ERV-W (HERV-W) sequences is investigated for a pathological role in various human diseases. We previously characterized ERV-W group genomic sequences in human and non-human Catarrhini species. We now investigated ERV-W-like sequences in the parvorder Platyrrhini, especially regarding two species with complete genome assemblies, namely marmoset ( ) and squirrel monkey ( ). We identified in both species proviral sequences, annotated as ERV1-1 in respective genome assemblies, sharing high sequence similarities with Catarrhini ERV-W. A total of 130 relatively intact proviruses from the genomes of marmoset and squirrel monkey were characterized regarding their structural and evolutionarily relationships with Catarrhini ERV-W elements. Platyrrhini ERV-W sequences share several structural features with Catarrhini ERV-W elements and are closely related phylogenetically with the latter as well as with other ERV-W-related gammaretrovirus-like ERVs. The ERV-W group colonized Platyrrhini primates of both Callitrichidae and Atelidae lineages, with provirus formations having occurred mostly between 25 and 15 mya. Two LTR subgroups were associated with monophyletic proviral bodies. A region appears to be a sequence feature common to the ERV-W group: it harbors a putative intron sequence that is missing in some ERV-W loci, holding a putative ORF as well. The presence of a long portion was confirmed among all gammaretroviral ERV analyzed, suggesting a role in the latter biology. It is noteworthy that, contrary to Catarrhini ERV-W, there was no evidence of L1-mediated mobilization for Platyrrhini ERV-W sequences. Our data establish that ERV-W is not exclusive to Catarrhini primates but colonized both parvorders of Simiiformes, providing further insight into the evolution of ERV-W and the colonization of primate genomes.