Characterization of Complete Genome Sequences of a Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus Isolated From China Bama Minipig Reveals an Evolutionary Time Earlier Than That of Isolates From European Minipigs.

Background A porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV) isolate, PERV-A-BM, was isolated from a Guangxi Bama minipig in China. Methods To understand its genetic variation and evolution, the complete PERV-A-BM genome sequences were determined and compared with isolates from different Sus scrofa breeds and porcine cell lines. A total of 69 nucleotide substitutions were found in the full-length genome, including 26 non-synonymous mutations. Results Phylogenetic trees based on the complete genome sequence as well as the gag , pol, and env gene sequences from 21 PERV isolates demonstrated that the PERV-A-BM was closely related to the EF133960 isolate from Chinese Wuzhishan miniature pigs inbred in Hainan, China, and distantly related to strains isolated from European-born pigs. Conclusions The estimation of age in the proviral PERV-A-BM integrating into the host genome reveals that the age of PERV-A-BM is at least 8.3 × 10 6 years, an evolutionary time earlier than that of isolates from European-born pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]