Origins and Evolution of the Global RNA Virome

Yuri I. Wolf; Darius Kazlauskas; Jaime Iranzo; Adriana LucÍa-Sanz; Jens H. Kuhn; Mart Krupovic; Valerian V. Dolja; Eugene V. Koonin

The derivation of -RNA viruses from dsRNA viruses is, arguably, the most unexpected 675 outcome of the present analysis, considering the lack of genes (other than the RdRp) shared by 676 these virus classes. Clearly, given that the primary evidence behind the derivation of -RNA 677 viruses from within dsRNA viruses comes from deep phylogeny, extreme caution is due in the 678 interpretation of this observation. However, the pronounced similarity between the 3D structures 679 of the RdRps of the -RNA influenza virus A and bacteriophage 6 dsRNA cystovirus (35) is 680 compatible with our findings. Further, because virtually no -RNA viruses are known in 681 prokaryotes or unicellular eukaryotes [with the single exception of "leischbuviruses" in parasitic 682 All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.