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  • Adaptive duplication and genetic diversification of protein kinase R contribute to the specificity of bat-virus interactions
Title: Adaptive duplication and genetic diversification of protein kinase R contribute to the specificity of bat-virus interactions
Several bat species act as asymptomatic reservoirs for many viruses that are highly pathogenic in other mammals. Here, we have characterized the functional diversification of the protein kinase R (PKR), a major antiviral innate defense system. Our data indicate that PKR has evolved under positive selection and has undergone repeated genomic duplications in bats in contrast to all studied mammals that have a single copy of the gene. Functional testing of the relationship between PKR and poxvirus antagonists revealed how an evolutionary conflict with ancient pathogenic poxviruses has shaped a specific bat host-virus interface. We determined that duplicated PKRs of theMyotisspecies have undergone genetic diversification, allowing them to collectively escape from and enhance the control of DNA and RNA viruses. These findings suggest that viral-driven adaptations in PKR contribute to modern virus-bat interactions and may account for bat-specific immunity.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2010884
PAR ID:
10519549
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more » ; « less
Publisher / Repository:
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Science Advances
Volume:
8
Issue:
47
ISSN:
2375-2548
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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