Evolutionary Relationships of Endemic/Epidemic and Sylvatic Dengue Viruses
Eryu Wanga b, Haolin Nia b, Renling Xua b, Alan D.T. Barretta b, Stanley J. Watowichc d, Duane J. Gublere f, Scott C. Weavera b
- a<!--label omitted: 1-->Department of Pathology and Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-06091
- bDepartment of Pathology and Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-06091
- c<!--label omitted: 2-->Department of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics and Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-06452; and
- dDepartment of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics and Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-06452; and
- e<!--label omitted: 3-->Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado 805223
- fDivision of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado 805223
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Abstract
Endemic/epidemic dengue viruses (DEN) that are transmitted among humans by the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are hypothesized to have evolved from sylvatic DEN strains that are transmitted among nonhuman primates in West Africa and Malaysia by other Aedes mosquitoes. We tested this hypothesis with phylogenetic studies using envelope protein gene sequences of both endemic/epidemic and sylvatic strains. The basal position of sylvatic lineages of DEN-1, -2, and -4 suggested that the endemic/epidemic lineages of these three DEN serotypes evolved independently from sylvatic progenitors. Time estimates for evolution of the endemic/epidemic forms ranged from 100 to 1,500 years ago, and the evolution of endemic/epidemic forms represents relatively recent events in the history of DEN evolution. Analysis of envelope protein amino acid changes predicted to have accompanied endemic/epidemic emergence suggested a role for domain III in adaptation to new mosquito and/or human hosts.