Abstract
The APOBEC3 family of proteins in mammals consists of cellular cytosine deaminases and well-known restriction factors against retroviruses, including lentiviruses. APOBEC3 genes are highly amplified and diversified in mammals, suggesting that their evolution and diversification have been driven by conflicts with ancient viruses. At present, lentiviruses, including HIV, the causative agent of AIDS, are known to encode a viral protein called Vif to overcome the antiviral effects of the APOBEC3 proteins of their hosts. Recent studies have revealed that the acquisition of an anti-APOBEC3 ability by lentiviruses is a key step in achieving successful cross-species transmission. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of the interplay between mammalian APOBEC3 proteins and viral infections and introduce a scenario of the coevolution of mammalian APOBEC3 genes and viruses.
Highlights
Cross-Species Transmission of Pathogenic VirusesIn December 2019, an outbreak of unusual pneumonia, currently termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), occurred in Wuhan, China
Previous studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 is related to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in chimpanzees (SIVcpz) [7,8], while HIV-2 is related to SIV in Old World monkeys and sooty mangabeys (SIVsm) [9]
We have summarized the current knowledge on the multiple aspects of mammalian APOBEC3 genes, focusing on their roles as species barriers that hamper cross-species transmission of lentiviruses (Section 3) and their evolutionary driving forces (Section 4)
Summary
In December 2019, an outbreak of unusual pneumonia, currently termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), occurred in Wuhan, China. Zhang et al revealed that two amino-acid substitutions (EN47-48PH) permitted SIVcpz Vif to neutralize human APOBEC3H [51] These observations suggest that great ape lentiviruses have evolved to adapt to new hosts by acquiring the ability to counteract antiviral factors in the new hosts. These findings provide evidence suggesting that cross-species lentiviral transmission can be affected by antiviral APOBEC3 proteins in the new host
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