Abstract
BackgroundLokern virus (LOKV) is a poorly characterized arthropod-borne virus belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus (family Peribunyaviridae). All viruses in this genus have tripartite, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genomes, and the three RNA segments are designated as small, (S), medium (M) and large (L). A 559 nt. region of the M RNA segment of LOKV has been sequenced and there are no sequence data available for its S or L RNA segments. The purpose of this study was to sequence the genome of LOKV.MethodsThe genome of LOKV was fully sequenced by unbiased high-throughput sequencing, 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing.ResultsThe S and L RNA segments of LOKV consist of 952 and 6864 nt. respectively and both have 99.0% nucleotide identity with the corresponding regions of Main Drain virus (MDV). In contrast, the 4450-nt. M RNA segment has only 59.0% nucleotide identity with the corresponding region of MDV and no more than 72.7% nucleotide identity with all other M RNA segment sequences in the Genbank database. Phylogenetic data support these findings.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that LOKV is a natural reassortant that acquired its S and L RNA segments from MDV and its M RNA segment from an undiscovered, and possibly extinct, virus. The availability of complete genome sequence data facilitates the accurate detection, identification and diagnosis of viruses and viral infections, and this is especially true for viruses with segmented genomes because it can be difficult or even impossible to differentiate between reassortants and their precursors when incomplete sequence data are available.
Highlights
Lokern virus (LOKV) is a poorly characterized arthropod-borne virus belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus
Other viruses in this serogroup include Batai virus (BATV), Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), Cache Valley virus (CVV), Maguari virus (MAGV), Ngari virus (NRIV), Northway virus (NORV), and Tensaw virus (TENV)
LOKV and Main Drain virus (MDV) both occur in the western half of the United States, and most arthropod- and vertebrate-derived isolations of each virus have been from Culicoides spp. midges and rabbits, respectively [3]
Summary
Lokern virus (LOKV) is a poorly characterized arthropod-borne virus belonging to the genus Orthobunyavirus (family Peribunyaviridae). All viruses in this genus have tripartite, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genomes, and the three RNA segments are designated as small, (S), medium (M) and large (L). Lokern virus (LOKV) is a poorly characterized virus in the genus Orthobunyavirus (family Peribunyaviridae). The genus has previously been separated into serogroups, with LOKV classified in the Bunyamwera (BUN) serogroup [1]. Other viruses in this serogroup include Batai virus (BATV), Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), Cache Valley virus (CVV), Maguari virus (MAGV), Ngari virus (NRIV), Northway virus (NORV), and Tensaw virus (TENV). LOKV is not a recognized pathogen of humans or vertebrate animals but its ability to cause disease has not been widely investigated
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