APOBEC3 deaminase editing in mpox virus as evidence for sustained human transmission since at least 2016

Historically, mpox has been characterized as an endemic zoonotic disease that transmits through contact with the reservoir rodent host in West and Central Africa. However, in May 2022, human cases of mpox were detected spreading internationally beyond countries with known endemic reservoirs. When the first cases from 2022 were sequenced, they shared 42 nucleotide differences from the closest mpox virus (MPXV) previously sampled. Nearly all these mutations are characteristic of the action of APOBEC3 deaminases, host enzymes with antiviral function. Assuming APOBEC3 editing is characteristic of human MPXV infection, we developed a dual-process phylogenetic molecular clock that-inferring a rate of ~6 APOBEC3…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Awards: G0D5117N, Z/17/Z, 206298/Z/17/Z, 206298, G0B9317N, G066215N
• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: 725422, 874850 MOOD, 874850, 2021/PHF/23776
• VR
  Vlaamse regering
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: G0B9317N, G0D5117N, AI153044, G066215N, R01 AI153044