Reconstruction of recombination sites in genomic structures of the strains of genotype 6 of hepatitis C virus

Abstract

The encoded portion of the complete genomes of 46 strains of the genotype 6 of hepatitis C virus through bioinformatics RDP programs complex group of 6 recombinants strains was identified, in which 7 recombination sites were fixed. Strains correspond to the three-recombinant HCV subtypes: 6a, 6b and 61. For each of the identified recombinant we defined parent strains from which they can be obtained. Three recombinants were obtained from parent strains of the same subtype (homologous inside subgenotypic recombination). For the remaining three recombinants parent strains were members of three different subtypes (between subgenotypic recombination).^In one strain we identified a unique recombination site in a highly conservative NS3 gene. Most of the recombination sites occurred in the region of the structural genes C, E1 and E2, and in the area of non-structural genes NS5a and NS5b.^In the recombinant strain DQ480518-6a two recombination site were identified. One site is located in the structural and nonstructural genes (E2 + NS1 + NS2), and a second one in non-structural region. Dimensions of recombination sites can vary from 86 to 1072 nucleotide bases. The study identified "hot spots" of recombination in the strains of genotype 6 of hepatitis C virus. The recombinants were found in the population of the three countries: the United States (from the serum of an immigrant), Hong Kong and China.