Analysis of multigene families of African swine fever virus

Abstract

The article presents summarized data on the multigene families of the African swine fever virus (MGF). A feature of the ASF virus is the presence of a large number of multigene families. It is generally accepted that multigene family proteins are widely distributed in the African swine fever virus (ASF) genome and are generally classified into five families, including MGF-100, MGF-110, MGF-300, MGF-360, and MGF-505. The multigene families of the ASF virus are located in both the left and right variable regions of the genome. It is known that multigene families 110 and 300 are located on the left end of the genome, and MGS 100 on the right, and MGS360, MGS505 and MGS530 at both ends of the genome. Most MGS families have copies at each end of the genome. Multigene families are responsible for the virulence and replication of the ASF virus. Several genes belonging to the 360 and 505/530 families determine the host range of the ASF virus and its virulence. The 530 multigene family contains six different reading frames encoding an average of five hundred and thirty amino acids containing four highly conserved domains. MGS300 consists of three open translation frames encoding an average of three hundred amino acids containing three highly conserved domains. The amino-terminal regions of the proteins encoded by MGS-530 and 300 have significant similarity to each other, as well as to the corresponding regions. Most researchers believe that MGS evolved through a process of duplication and sequence divergence. Elements of multigene families are located close to each other and are read in only one direction.