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Microbial Genomics logo Microbial Genomics

Volume 11, Issue 11

Identification and characterization of a novel papillomavirus in thornback skate () Open Access

Abstract

Papillomaviruses are non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses capable of infecting a wide range of vertebrates, from chondrichthyans to mammals. In this study, we report for the first time the identification and complete genome of a papillomavirus in the thornback skate (), named papillomavirus 1 (RclaPV1). The genomic sequence was determined using a metagenomic approach and subsequently confirmed by PCR. The RclaPV1 genome is 5,539 bp in length and displays the typical organization of papillomaviruses, encoding 4 core proteins on a single DNA strand: two early genes (E1 and E2) and two late genes (L1 and L2). Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the L1 and E1 genes indicate that RclaPV1 belongs to the subfamily, clustering with fish and amphibian papillomaviruses and showing closer evolutionary relationships to amphibians than to fish.

  • Received:
  • Accepted:
  • Published Online:
Keyword(s): cartilaginous fishes , Papillomaviridae , Secondpapillomavirinae and thornback skate
Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Award 2022.05886.CEECIND)
    • Principal Award Recipient: FabianaNeves
  • Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Award EXPL/BIA-EVL/1045/2021)
    • Principal Award Recipient: FabianaNeves
© 2025 The Authors
  • This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
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2025-11-07
2025-12-16

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Identification and characterization of a novel papillomavirus in thornback skate (Raja clavata)
M Gen 11, 001541 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.001541
/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001541
/content/journal/mgen/10.1099/mgen.0.001541
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