Molecular phylogeny of Capripoxviruses based on major immunodominant protein (P32) reveals circulation of host specific sheeppox and goatpox viruses in small ruminants of India.

Abstract Sheeppox and goatpox are highly contagious viral diseases of small ruminants causing severe economic losses to the livestock farmers. The disease is enzootic in Asia including India, Middle East and African countries. In the present study, a total of 28 isolates from twenty five sheeppox and goatpox disease outbreaks were phylogenetically analyzed based on P32 gene/protein along with homology modeling and docking using heparan sulfate and UDP-glucose. Three distinct lineage-specific clusters as per their host origin were recorded. Multiple sequence analysis of P32 gene revealed that genetically similar sheeppox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GTPV) strains are circulating in India. Phylogenetically, Lumpy skin disease (LSDV) and SPPV had a closer genetic relationship than GTPV. Comparative sequence alignment indicated conservation of various motifs such as glycosaminoglycan (GAG), chemokine like motif (CX3C) and Asp-Glu-any other residue-Asp (D/ExD), as well as viral specific signature residues in SPPV and GTPV isolates. Structurally, P32 protein of SPPV and GTPV with mixed α helices and β sheets resembled with crystal structure of homologue vaccinia virus H3L protein. Docking studies in P32 protein of SPPV and GTPV revealed conserved binding pattern with heparan sulfate which is involved in the virus attachment and varied glycosyltransferase fold with UDP-glucose. These findings may help in development of suitable vaccines/diagnostics and therapeutics against capripoxviruses.