Molecular Characterization of a Novel Gammaretrovirus in Killer Whales ( Orcinus orca )

Author:

LaMere Sarah A.1,St. Leger Judy A.2,Schrenzel Mark D.3,Anthony Simon J.3,Rideout Bruce A.3,Salomon Daniel R.1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037

2. SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California 92109

3. Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027

Abstract

ABSTRACT There are currently no published data documenting the presence of retroviruses in cetaceans, though the occurrences of cancers and immunodeficiency states suggest the potential. We examined tissues from adult killer whales and detected a novel gammaretrovirus by degenerate PCR. Reverse transcription-PCR also demonstrated tissue and serum expression of retroviral mRNA. The full-length sequence of the provirus was obtained by PCR, and a TaqMan-based copy number assay did not demonstrate evidence of productive infection. PCR on blood samples from 11 healthy captive killer whales and tissues from 3 free-ranging animals detected the proviral DNA in all tissues examined from all animals. A survey of multiple cetacean species by PCR for gag , pol , and env sequences showed homologs of this virus in the DNA of eight species of delphinids, pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, and harbor porpoises, but not in beluga or fin whales. Analysis of the bottlenose dolphin genome revealed two full-length proviral sequences with 97.4% and 96.9% nucleotide identity to the killer whale gammaretrovirus. The results of single-cell PCR on killer whale sperm and Southern blotting are also consistent with the conclusion that the provirus is endogenous. We suggest that this gammaretrovirus entered the delphinoid ancestor's genome before the divergence of modern dolphins or that an exogenous variant existed following divergence that was ultimately endogenized. However, the transcriptional activity demonstrated in tissues and the nearly intact viral genome suggest a more recent integration into the killer whale genome, favoring the latter hypothesis. The proposed name for this retrovirus is killer whale endogenous retrovirus.

Publisher

American Society for Microbiology

Subject

Virology,Insect Science,Immunology,Microbiology

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