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The genome of a Mesozoic paleovirus reveals the evolution of hepatitis B viruses

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  • Alexander Suh

    (Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Münster
    Present address: Department of Evolutionary Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Jürgen Brosius

    (Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Münster)

  • Jürgen Schmitz

    (Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Münster)

  • Jan Ole Kriegs

    (Institute of Experimental Pathology (ZMBE), University of Münster
    LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, Westfälisches Landesmuseum mit Planetarium)

Abstract

Paleovirology involves the identification of ancient endogenous viral elements within eukaryotic genomes. The evolutionary origins of the reverse-transcribing hepatitis B viruses, however, remain elusive, due to the small number of endogenized sequences present in host genomes. Here we report a comprehensively dated genomic record of hepatitis B virus endogenizations that spans bird evolution from >82 to 63 million years older than previously known and provide direct evidence for coexistence of hepatitis B viruses and birds during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras. Finally, phylogenetic analyses and distribution of hepatitis B virus relics suggest that birds potentially are the ancestral hosts of Hepadnaviridae and mammalian hepatitis B viruses probably emerged after a bird–mammal host switch. Our study reveals previously undiscovered and multi-faceted insights into prehistoric hepatitis B virus evolution and provides valuable resources for future studies, such as in-vitro resurrection of Mesozoic hepadnaviruses.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Suh & Jürgen Brosius & Jürgen Schmitz & Jan Ole Kriegs, 2013. "The genome of a Mesozoic paleovirus reveals the evolution of hepatitis B viruses," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2798
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2798
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