We report high rates of detection (35.36%, 29/82) of genogroup-I (GI) picobirnaviruses (PBVs) in non-diarrheic fecal samples from the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata). In addition, we identified a novel PBV-like RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene sequence that uses an alternative mitochondrial genetic code (that of mold or invertebrate) for translation. The complete/nearly complete gene segment-2/RdRp gene sequences of seven mongoose PBV GI strains and the novel PBV-like strain were obtained by combining a modified non-specific primer-based amplification method with conventional RT-PCRs, facilitated by the inclusion of a new primer targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PBV gene segment-2. The mongoose PBV and PBV-like strains retained the various features that are conserved in gene segment-2/RdRps of other PBVs. However, high genetic diversity was observed among the mongoose PBVs within and between host species. This is the first report on detection of PBVs in the mongoose. Molecular characterization of the PBV and PBV-like strains from a new animal species provided important insights into the various features and complex diversity of PBV gene segment-2/putative RdRps. The presence of the prokaryotic ribosomal binding site in the mongoose PBV genomes, and analysis of the novel PBV-like RdRp gene sequence that uses an alternative mitochondrial genetic code (especially that of mold) for translation corroborated recent speculations that PBVs may actually infect prokaryotic or fungal host cells.

中文翻译：

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猫鼬中小核糖核酸病毒（PBV）的检测和分子表征：使用替代遗传密码识别新型PBV。

我们报告从小印度猫鼬（Urva auropunctata）的非腹泻粪便样本中检出genogroup-I（GI）微小疱疹病毒（PBVs）的检出率很高（35.36％，29/82）。此外，我们确定了一种新颖的PBV样RNA依赖性RNA聚合酶（RdRp）基因序列，该序列使用其他线粒体遗传密码（霉菌或无脊椎动物）进行翻译。通过将改良的基于非特异性引物的扩增方法与常规RT-PCR结合在一起，获得了七个猫鼬PBV GI菌株和新型PBV样菌株的完整/几乎完整的基因segment-2 / RdRp基因序列。靶向PBV基因区段2的3'-非翻译区（UTR）的新引物的制备。猫鼬PBV和PBV样菌株保留了其他PBV基因片段2 / RdRps中保守的各种特征。然而，在寄主物种内部和之间的猫鼬PBV之间观察到很高的遗传多样性。这是关于猫鼬中PBV检测的第一份报告。来自新动物物种的PBV和PBV样菌株的分子表征为PBV基因segment-2 /假定的RdRps的各种特征和复杂的多样性提供了重要的见识。猫鼬PBV基因组中存在原核生物核糖体结合位点，并分析了使用另一种线粒体遗传密码（尤其是霉菌）进行翻译的新型PBV样RdRp基因序列，证实了最近的推测，即PBV可能实际上感染了原核生物或真菌宿主细胞。来自新动物物种的PBV和PBV样菌株的分子表征为PBV基因segment-2 /假定的RdRps的各种特征和复杂的多样性提供了重要的见识。猫鼬PBV基因组中存在原核生物核糖体结合位点，并分析了使用另一种线粒体遗传密码（尤其是霉菌）进行翻译的新型PBV样RdRp基因序列，证实了最近的推测，即PBV可能实际上感染了原核生物或真菌宿主细胞。来自新动物物种的PBV和PBV样菌株的分子表征为PBV基因segment-2 /假定的RdRps的各种特征和复杂的多样性提供了重要的见识。猫鼬PBV基因组中存在原核生物核糖体结合位点，并分析了使用另一种线粒体遗传密码（尤其是霉菌）进行翻译的新型PBV样RdRp基因序列，证实了最近的推测，即PBV可能实际上感染了原核生物或真菌宿主细胞。