Incipient Parallel Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Deltacron Variant in South Brazil.

With the coexistence of multiple lineages and increased international travel, recombination and gene flow are likely to become increasingly important in the adaptive evolution of SARS-CoV-2. These processes could result in genetic introgression and the incipient parallel evolution of multiple recombinant lineages. However, identifying recombinant lineages is challenging, and the true extent of recombinant evolution in SARS-CoV-2 may be underestimated. This study describes the first SARS-CoV-2 Deltacron recombinant case identified in Brazil. We demonstrate that the recombination breakpoint is at the beginning of the Spike gene. The 5' genome portion (circa 22 kb) resembles the AY.101 (Delta), and the 3' genome portion (circa 8 kb nucleotides) is most similar to the BA.1.1 (Omicron). Furthermore, evolutionary genomic analyses indicate that the new strain emerged after a single recombination event between lineages of diverse geographical locations in December 2021 in South Brazil. This Deltacron, AYBA-RS, is one of the dozens of recombinants described in 2022. The submission of only four sequences in the GISAID database suggests that this lineage had a minor epidemiological impact. However, the recent emergence of this and other Deltacron recombinant lineages (XD, XF, and XS) suggests that gene flow and recombination may play an increasingly important role in the COVID-19 pandemic. We explain the evolutionary and population genetic theory that supports this assertion, concluding that this stresses the need for continued genomic surveillance. This monitoring is vital for countries where multiple variants are present, as well as for countries that receive significant inbound international travel.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 14(3), 2022

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 3, Volume 14, 2022: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Micropropagation and potential of bioactive compounds of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for nutrition and health;Anatomical, physiological, biochemical and molecular responses of Eucalyptus spp. under water deficit conditions and characteristics of Tunisian arid species;Escherichia coli infection, a negative prognostic factor on the evolution of patients with surgical diseases;Biological characteristics and mortality in patients with diabetes and COVID-19;The influence of Staphylococcus infections on the evolution of hospitalized patients: The experience of the surgical department of IRGH Cluj-Napoca;Parquetina nigrescens leaf infusion: a food-based approach for the management of diet-induced iron deficiency in weanling rats;Evaluation of the effects of calabash chalk on the haematological profile of Wistar rats;Inhibitory potential of rutin on lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity and inflammatory response of raw U937 cells and macrophages;Hypoglycemic and in vitro antioxidant activities of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark hydromethanol extract;Polyploidization and speciation: patterns of natural hybridization and gene flow in basil (Ocimum spp.);Increasing liana biomass and carbon stocks in tropical dry evergreen forests of southern India.

Evidence of Genetic Connectivity among Lyle’s Flying Fox Populations in Thailand for Wildlife Management and One Health Framework

Bats are important reservoir hosts of emerging viruses. Recent viral outbreaks and pandemics have resulted in an increased research focus on the genetic diversity, population structure, and distribution of bat species. Lyle’s flying fox (Pteropus lylei) is widely distributed throughout central Thailand, with most colonies congregating in temples within proximity to humans. A lack of knowledge regarding the genetic connectivity among different colonies hinders the investigation of zoonotic disease epidemiology and wildlife management. In this study, we hypothesized that genetic material may be exchanged between Lyle’s flying fox colonies that live in proximity. We assessed the mitochondrial displacement loop and cytochrome b nucleotide sequences of samples collected from 94 individuals from ten colonies across different roosting sites and detected limited genetic differentiation but increased nucleotide divergence within colonies. This suggests that genetic connectivity among Lyle’s flying fox colonies has experienced frequent and recent gene flow. These findings indicate that this species has maintained demographic equilibrium in a stable population, with a slight expansion event in certain populations. These data provide insights into the dynamics of bat populations, and the genetic knowledge gained presents opportunities for the improved monitoring of bat population structure.

The negative impact of the hominin's DPP4 gene inherited from neanderthals to pandemic of COVID-19

Background: According to preliminary sequences from 2010, 99.7% of the nucleotide sequences of the modern human and Neanderthal genomes are identical, compared to humans sharing around 98.8% of sequences with the chimpanzee. In contrast, the difference between chimpanzees and modern humans is approximately 1,462 mtDNA base pairs. Materials and Methods: Neanderthal-inherited genetic material is found in all non-African populations and was initially reported to comprise 1 to 4% of the genome. This fraction was later refined to 1.5 to 2.1%. We had gone through many researches of Neanderthals affected gene flow in humans. Results: It is estimated that 20% of Neanderthal DNA currently survives in modern humans. Modern human genes involved in making keratin, a protein constituent of skin, hair, and nails, have especially high levels of introgression. For example, approximately 66% of East Asians contain a POUF23L variant introgressed from Neanderthals, while 70% of Europeans possess an introgressed allele of BNC2. Our finding shines a light on an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase4 (DPP4). Scientists already know the protein allows another coronavirus, which causes Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS), to bind to and enter human cells. The new analysis, of DPP4 gene variants among COVID-19 patients, suggests the enzyme also provides SARS-CoV-2 with a second door into our cells, along with its usual infection route via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on cell surfaces. Conclusion: Most Europeans, Asians, and Native Americans harbor a handful of genes from Neanderthals, up 1.8% to 2.6% of their DNA. Studies of ancient DNA in Neanderthal fossils have shown the hominin's DPP4 gene subtly differs from the typical human one. Conclusion: The hominin's DPP4 gene inherited from Neanderthals plays a major role in Immune System Disorders and Lower Immune response in many diseases. This gene plays a major role in affecting humans with COVID-19 and spreading it through the world. All humans contain this gene from 1 to 4%. East Asians, Europeans, Middle and south Americans conveys more, hence, native Africans contain less amounts of hominin's DPP4 gene. Therefore, East Asians, Europeans, Middle and south Americans are prone to severe COVID-19.