Novel Divergent Members of the Kitrinoviricota Discovered through Metagenomics in the Intestinal Contents of Red-Backed Voles (Clethrionomys gapperi)

Metagenomic methods are powerful tools to investigate viral diversity in biological or environmental samples and to identify previously unknown viruses. We used RNA metagenomics to identify, in the gut of red-backed voles, the nearly complete genomes of two novel members of the Kitrinoviricota, a phylum including viruses with positive-sense ssRNA genomes encoding an RNA-directed RNA polymerase. The genome of a novel member of the Tombusviridae presented four open reading frames (ORFs); a -1 frameshift is potentially involved in generating the viral replicase. This sequence was part of a phylogenetic clade that did not include any officially classified species. The second genome presented a large ORF coding for a viral polyprotein containing the typical protein domains common to flexiviruses. The sequence clustered with currently known members of the Deltaflexiviridae. Both viruses appear to represent the first members of novel species in yet undefined genera. The identified viruses likely originated from the vole diet as members of the two viral families are known to infect plants and fungi, respectively. Investigating public databases demonstrated that a much higher richness than currently recognized exists for these two viral families, highlighting the need to update taxonomy systems and possibly also include genomes identified through metagenomics.

Automated summary

Metagenomic methods were used to identify two novel members of the Kitrinoviricota and Tombusviridae families in the gut of red-backed voles. These viruses likely originated from the vole's diet and represent the first members of new species. The study highlights the need to update taxonomy systems to include genomes identified through metagenomic approaches.