Euphyllophyte Paleoviruses Illuminate Hidden Diversity and Macroevolutionary Mode of Caulimoviridae.

ABSTRACT: Endogenous viral elements (paleoviruses) provide "molecular fossils" for studying the deep history and macroevolution of viruses. Endogenous plant pararetroviruses (EPRVs) are widespread in angiosperms, but little is known about EPRVs in earlier-branching plants. Here we use a large-scale phylogenomic approach to investigate the diversity and macroevolution of plant pararetroviruses (formally known as Caulimoviridae). We uncover an unprecedented and unappreciated diversity of EPRVs within the genomes of gymnosperms and ferns. The known angiosperm viruses constitute only a minor part of the Caulimoviridae diversity. By characterizing the distribution of EPRVs, we show that no major euphyllophyte lineages escape the activity of Caulimoviridae, raising the possibility tha

SUBMITTER: Gong Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5923073 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature