In:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 94, No. 17 ( 1997-08-19), p. 9191-9196
Abstract:
Although polyomavirus JC (JCV) is the proven pathogen of
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, the fatal demyelinating disease, this virus is ubiquitous as a usually harmless symbiote among
human beings. JCV propagates in the adult kidney and excretes its progeny in urine, from which JCV DNA can readily be recovered. The main
mode of transmission of JCV is from parents to children through long cohabitation. In this study, we collected a substantial number of urine
samples from native inhabitants of 34 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia. A 610-bp segment of JCV DNA was amplified from each urine sample,
and its DNA sequence was determined. A worldwide phylogenetic tree subsequently constructed revealed the presence of nine subtypes
including minor ones. Five subtypes (EU, Af2, B1, SC, and CY) occupied rather large territories that overlapped with each other at their
boundaries. The entire Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia were the domain of EU, whereas the domain of Af2 included nearly all of
Africa and southwestern Asia all the way to the northeastern edge of India. Partially overlapping domains in Asia were occupied by subtypes
B1, SC, and CY. Of particular interest was the recovery of JCV subtypes in a pocket or pockets that were separated by great geographic
distances from the main domains of those subtypes. Certain of these pockets can readily be explained by recent migrations of human
populations carrying these subtypes. Overall, it appears that JCV genotyping promises to reveal previously unknown human migration
routes: ancient as well as recent.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0027-8424
,
1091-6490
DOI:
10.1073/pnas.94.17.9191
Language:
English
Publisher:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publication Date:
1997
detail.hit.zdb_id:
209104-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1461794-8
SSG:
11
SSG:
12
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