Thirty-one human adenovirus serotypes (Ad1-Ad31) form five groups (A-E) based upon DNA genome homologies

Abstract

The DNA homology relationships among 31 human adenovirus serotypes (Ad1-Ad31) were investigated by liquid-phase molecular hybridization, using in vitro labeled viral DNA as probe. Hybridizations were carried to 40 times the C0t1 2 and were assayed by batchwise chromatography on hydroxylapatite (HAP), and in some experiments by use of the more stringent S1 nuclease procedure. Five distinct DNA homology groups, A to E, were identified. DNAs of group A Ads (Ad12, 18, and 31) hybridized 48 to 69% with each other and 8 to 20% with DNAs of other serotypes (HAP). DNAs of group B Ads (Ad3, 7, 11, 14, 16, and 21) hybridized 89 to 94% (HAP; 81 to 89% by S1 nuclease) with each other and 9 to 20% (HAP; 8 to 15% by S1 nuclease) with DNAs of other types. DNAs of group C Ads (Ad1, 2, 5, and 6) hybridized 99 to 100% with each other and 10 to 16% with DNAs of other types (HAP). DNAs of group D Ads (Ad8-10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, and 22-30) hybridized 95 to 99% (HAP; 88 to 98% by S1 nuclease) with each other and 4 to 17% with DNAs of other types. Ad4 DNA hybridized to 4 to 23% (HAP; 3 to 22% by S1 nuclease) with DNAs of other types, and thus Ad4 is the only member of group E. Members within all groups except group A were closely related. Members within group A showed considerable heterology, and six isolates, classified as Ad12 by neutralization tests, were much more related to Ad31 than to Ad12 prototype Huie strain. These DNA homology groupings are consistent in the main with the properties of other "groupings" of human Ads, e.g., oncogenic groups (tumorigenicity in newborn hamsters), T-antigen groups, G + C content of viral DNA, hemagglutination groups, molecular characteristics of subviral particles and virion proteins (e.g., length of fiber), and human epidemiology and pathogenicity. © 1979.