Evolutionary Diversity of Suid Herpesvirus 1 Based on Ul44 Partial Sequences

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to use partial Ul44 sequences (glycoprotein C) of Suid herpesvirus 1 to examine the evolution and dynamics of the virus in different periods and hosts. Methods: Phylogenetic trees were constructed using the software MrBayes after analysis in the software jModelTest to evaluate the best phylogenetic models. The software SplitsTree 4.0 was used to create phylogenetic networks, and the BEAST program was used to generate data on phylogeography. Replication kinetics and serum neutralization tests were applied to tree strains from different phylogenetic groups. Results:Ul44 sequences derived from domestic swine and wild swine clustered in different clades and had different selective pressures depending on the host. We found no differences in replication kinetics and serum neutralization tests in the strains tested. Data show that the evolution of herpesviruses is complex, and different genetic groups may be evolving at different rates. Ul44 is an important marker for molecular evolution and epidemiology studies, but it is not useful for biological information.