痘病毒宿主范围因子研究进展

Progress on host range factors of poxvirus

痘病毒是一类普遍存在的病原,各种属间表现出很大的宿主差异。在脊椎动物痘病毒亚科中,如天花病毒、传染性软疣病毒和猪痘病毒等一些痘病毒,表现出狭窄的宿主范围,而如牛痘病毒、痘苗病毒和羊口疮病毒等其他痘病毒却能够感染多种哺乳动物。尽管当前对痘病毒这一现象的分子机制了解不多,然而现已知晓,病毒感染能力的强弱取决于病毒对宿主应答的调控能力。研究发现,一些痘病毒基因编码的蛋白使得病原表现出宿主的趋向性,被称为宿主范围因子。目前已在多种痘病毒中发现多个宿主范围因子,这些因子不仅影响病毒的毒力,而且决定了感染宿主的范围。本文将对脊椎动物痘病毒亚科痘病毒编码的宿主范围因子及其作用做一综述,以加深对痘病毒的分子进化和跨种感染机制的认识和理解。

Poxviruses are widespread pathogens, which display extremely different host ranges. Some poxviruses, including Variola virus, Molluscum contagiosum virus and Swinepox virus display narrow host ranges, whereas others such as Cowpox viruses, Vaccinia virus and Orf virus naturally infect a wide range of mammals. The molecular basis for differences in host range are poorly understood but apparently depend on the successful manipulation of the host antiviral response. Some poxvirus proteins encoded by genes have been shown to confer host tropism in experimental settings and are thus called host range factors. A number of host range factors have been identified that determine the host range and contribute to the virulence in various poxviruses. Herein, numerous host range factors and their functions were reviewed, which help deepen our knowledge and understanding of molecular evolution and differences of host range in major members of Chordopoxvirinae.