The HMPV F protein remained highly conserved over 20 years, with an estimated mutation rate of 7.12 × 10^-4 substitutions/site/year and an estimated time to most recent common ancestor of 97 years.
Observational (n=85)
Yes
BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important cause of acute respiratory illness in children. We examined the diversity and molecular evolution of HMPV using 85 full-length F (fusion) gene sequences collected over a 20-year period. RESULTS: The F gene sequences fell into two major groups, each with two subgroups, which exhibited a mean of 96% identity by predicted amino acid sequences. Amino acid identity within and between subgroups was higher than nucleotide identity, suggesting structural or functional constraints on F protein diversity. There was minimal progressive drift over time, and the genetic lineages were stable over the 20-year period. Several canonical amino acid differences discriminated between major subgroups, and polymorphic variations tended to cluster in discrete regions. The estimated rate of mutation was 7.12 x 10(-4) substitutions/site/year and the estimated time to most recent common HMPV ancestor was 97 years (95% likelihood range 66-194 years). Analysis suggested that HMPV diverged from avian metapneumovirus type C (AMPV-C) 269 years ago (95% likelihood range 106-382 years). CONCLUSION: HMPV F protein remains conserved over decades. HMPV appears to have diverged from AMPV-C fairly recently.
Yang et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection (n=85). HMPV F gene evolution was evaluated on Estimated rate of mutation and time to most recent common ancestor (tMRCA). The HMPV F protein remained highly conserved over 20 years, with an estimated mutation rate of 7.12 × 10^-4 substitutions/site/year and an estimated time to most recent common ancestor of 97 years.
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