Filoviruses, especially Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV), are notoriously pathogenic and capable of causing severe haemorrhagic fever diseases in humans with high lethality<sup>1,2</sup>. The risk of future outbreaks is exacerbated by the discovery of other bat-borne filoviruses of wide genetic diversity globally<sup>3-5</sup>. Here we report the characterization of a phylogenetically distinct bat filovirus, named Měnglà virus (MLAV). The coding-complete genome of MLAV shares 32-54% nucleotide sequence identity with known filoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis places this new virus between EBOV and MARV, suggesting the need for a new genus taxon. Importantly, despite the low amino acid sequence identity (22-39%) of the glycoprotein with other filoviruses, MLAV is capable of using the Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) as entry receptor. MLAV is also replication-competent with chimeric MLAV mini-genomes containing EBOV or MARV leader and trailer sequences, indicating that these viruses are evolutionally and functionally closely related. Finally, MLAV glycoprotein-typed pseudo-types transduced cell lines derived from humans, monkeys, dogs, hamsters and bats, implying a broad species cell tropism with a high risk of interspecies spillover transmission.
Here we report the characterization of a phylogenetically distinct bat filovirus, named Měnglà virus (MLAV). The coding-complete genome of MLAV shares 32-54% nucleotide sequence identity with known filoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis places this new virus between EBOV and MARV, suggesting the need for a new genus taxon.
Genes or proteins
whole genome
Analysis methods
phylogenetic analysis; genomic sequencing
Host Range Experiment1 records
Host Range ExperimentExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
Pseudotype experiments showed that MLAV glycoprotein enables entry into cells from multiple mammalian species, indicating broad host range potential.
MLAV glycoprotein-typed pseudo-types transduced cell lines derived from humans, monkeys, dogs, hamsters and bats, implying a broad species cell tropism with a high risk of interspecies spillover transmission.
Method
transduction; glycoprotein-typed pseudotype assay
Experimental system
pseudovirus assay
Molecular Adaptation1 records
Molecular AdaptationExtraction confidence 0.85
Key finding
Měnglà virus glycoprotein interacts with the Niemann-Pick C1 receptor to mediate entry and supports infection of multiple mammalian cell types, indicating molecular adaptation toward broad host tropism.
Despite the low amino acid sequence identity (22–39%) of the glycoprotein with other filoviruses, Měnglà virus (MLAV) is capable of using the Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) as entry receptor. MLAV glycoprotein-typed pseudo-types transduced cell lines derived from humans, monkeys, dogs, hamsters and bats, implying a broad species cell tropism.
Genes or proteins
glycoprotein
Receptors
Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1)
Mechanism types
receptor_binding; cell_entry; tissue_tropism
Receptor Usage1 records
Receptor UsageExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
Měnglà virus utilizes the Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) protein as its entry receptor.
Importantly, despite the low amino acid sequence identity (22-39%) of the glycoprotein with other filoviruses, MLAV is capable of using the Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) as entry receptor.
Receptors
Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1)
Zoonotic Surveillance1 records
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
A novel filovirus, Měnglà virus, was detected and characterized from Rousettus bats in China.
