Natural selection differences detected in key protein domains between non-pathogenic and pathogenic Feline Coronavirus phenotypes.

ABSTRACT: Feline Coronaviruses (FCoVs) commonly cause mild enteric infections in felines worldwide (termed Feline Enteric Coronavirus [FECV]), with around 12% developing into deadly Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP; Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus [FIPV]). Genomic differences between FECV and FIPV have been reported, yet the putative genotypic basis of the highly pathogenic phenotype remains unclear. Here, we used state-of-the-art molecular evolutionary genetic statistical techniques to identify and compare differences in natural selection pressure between FECV and FIPV sequences, as well as to identify FIPV and FECV specific signals of positive selection. We analyzed full length FCoV protein coding genes thought to contain mutations associated with FIPV (Spike, ORF3abc, and ORF7ab). We identi

SUBMITTER: Zehr JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9882035 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature