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Literature detail

RNA Virus Diversity, Cross-Species Transmission, and Molecular Constraints in Two Closely Related Rat Species.

Zhiming Li1,2 Mingyu Zhang1,2 Ruidong Cao1,2 Chengmin Shi3 Le Yang4 Jianxu Zhang1,2 Yaohua Zhang1,5
Affiliations 5 institutions
  1. State Key Laboratory of Animal Biodiversity Conservation and Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
  3. College of Plant Protection, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, China.
  4. Institute of Plateau Biology of Xizang Autonomous Region, Lhasa, Xizang, China.
  5. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
PMID 42033733 2026 Integr Zool eng aheadofprint
PubMed DOI Browse context

Article

Publication summary

Viral infection involves co-evolution with hosts, yet the molecular determinants that constrain viral cross-species transmission remain poorly understood. Here, we established conspecific and heterospecific co-housing models for two closely related rat species, Rattus norvegicus (RN) and Rattus tanezumi (RT), both maintained in laboratory settings for over 10 generations, together with wild-caught RT individuals. Using meta-transcriptomic sequencing and population genomic analyses, we compared their RNA virus profiles and investigated the potential molecular constraints on cross-species viral transmission. From 63 rats, we characterized an extensive RNA virome comprising more than 600 viruses, including 7 zoonotic viruses, 29 viruses with cross-species transmission potential, and 335 novel viruses. Notably, the prevalence of Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) was significantly higher in RN than in RT. Population genomic analysis revealed that RN exhibited higher heterozygosity in Itgb3 (the gene encoding the SEOV receptor, β3-integrin) and Tlr7 (the gene encoding the receptor for viral ssRNA, Toll-like receptor 7) compared to RT. These genetic variations likely represent the molecular determinants responsible for the differential susceptibility to SEOV between the two species. Our findings clarify the diversity and prevalence of RNA viruses in closely related rodent species and highlight host genetic barriers that may influence zoonotic spillover risk.

cross‐species transmission molecular constraints Rattus norvegicus Rattus tanezumi RNA viruses

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

5 total
Zoonotic Surveillance 2 records
Zoonotic Surveillance Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Meta-transcriptomic surveillance of 63 Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi individuals revealed over 600 RNA viruses, including zoonotic viruses; Seoul orthohantavirus was more prevalent in Rattus norvegicus.

Virus
SEOV
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Using meta-transcriptomic sequencing and population genomic analyses, we compared their RNA virus profiles ... From 63 rats, we characterized an extensive RNA virome comprising more than 600 viruses, including 7 zoonotic viruses ... Notably, the prevalence of Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) was significantly higher in RN than in RT.

Method
meta-transcriptomic sequencing
Zoonotic Surveillance Extraction confidence 0.90
Key finding

Meta-transcriptomic monitoring of RNA viral diversity in Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi identified numerous zoonotic and cross-species transmission-related viruses.

Virus
Not specified
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Using meta-transcriptomic sequencing and population genomic analyses, we compared their RNA virus profiles ... From 63 rats, we characterized an extensive RNA virome comprising more than 600 viruses, including 7 zoonotic viruses, 29 viruses with cross-species transmission potential, and 335 novel viruses.

Method
meta-transcriptomic sequencing
Cross Species Transmission 1 records
Cross Species Transmission Extraction confidence 0.90
Key finding

Seoul orthohantavirus shows differential prevalence between Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi, indicating cross-species transmission influenced by host genetic differences.

Virus
SEOV
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Notably, the prevalence of Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) was significantly higher in RN than in RT. Population genomic analysis revealed that RN exhibited higher heterozygosity in Itgb3 and Tlr7 compared to RT, suggesting molecular determinants responsible for differential susceptibility to SEOV between the two species.

Method
meta-transcriptomic sequencing; population genomic analysis
Study design
laboratory co-housing and meta-transcriptomic sequencing
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Genomic Evolution 1 records
Genomic Evolution Extraction confidence 0.80
Key finding

Meta-transcriptomic and population genomic analyses showed that Seoul orthohantavirus was more prevalent in Rattus norvegicus than Rattus tanezumi, and host genes Itgb3 and Tlr7 exhibited greater heterozygosity in R. norvegicus, suggesting genomic determinants of viral susceptibility.

Virus
SEOV
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Using meta-transcriptomic sequencing and population genomic analyses, we compared their RNA virus profiles and investigated the potential molecular constraints on cross-species viral transmission. From 63 rats, we characterized an extensive RNA virome comprising more than 600 viruses, including 7 zoonotic viruses, 29 viruses with cross-species transmission potential, and 335 novel viruses. Notably, the prevalence of Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) was significantly higher in RN than in RT. Population genomic analysis revealed that RN exhibited higher heterozygosity in Itgb3 and Tlr7 compared to RT.

Genes or proteins
Itgb3; Tlr7
Analysis methods
meta-transcriptomic sequencing; population genomic analysis
Molecular Adaptation 1 records
Molecular Adaptation Extraction confidence 0.85
Key finding

Differences in host genes Itgb3 and Tlr7 between Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi are linked to differential susceptibility to Seoul orthohantavirus, indicating host-factor mediated molecular adaptation at the receptor level.

Virus
SEOV
Host
Not specified
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Population genomic analysis revealed that RN exhibited higher heterozygosity in Itgb3 (the gene encoding the SEOV receptor, β3-integrin) and Tlr7 (the gene encoding the receptor for viral ssRNA, Toll-like receptor 7) compared to RT. These genetic variations likely represent the molecular determinants responsible for the differential susceptibility to SEOV between the two species.

Genes or proteins
Itgb3; Tlr7
Receptors
β3-integrin; Toll-like receptor 7
Host factors
Itgb3; Tlr7
Mechanism types
receptor_binding; host_factor_interaction