Understanding Human Papillomavirus Types and Significance Through Phylogenetic Trees

• Published in: American journal of clinical pathology Vol. 150; no. suppl_1; p. S77
• Main Author: Wingfield, Allison
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 21.09.2018
• Subjects: Bioinformatics; Capsid protein; Genetic diversity; Human papillomavirus; Medical laboratories; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Proteins
• ISSN: 0002-9173; 1943-7722
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqy094.186

Abstract Introduction Just as molecular diagnostics has been integrated into all disciplines of clinical laboratory education, bioinformatics is a necessary complement to teaching subjects relevant to today’s learners. New tools offer fresh perspectives on data that were previously described appropriately but reflect lesser understanding than we have today. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types and specific disease associations can be effectively presented through phylogenetic analysis for improved fundamental insights and predictive value. To clinical laboratory students, a phylogenetic tree for HPV represents relationships between gene or protein sequences that members of closely related HPV types share. These clusters of similarly behaving HPV types resemble the basic tables we use to classify low-risk and high-risk HPV types but actually estimate genetic variations in replication methods that lead to differing oncogenic potential. Methods Relevant human sections of the major capsid protein (L1) phylogenetic tree for papillomavirus were reproduced qualitatively or replicated from publicly available gene or protein sequences to create phylogenetic trees and explanations for demonstrating the clustering of HPV types and the molecular basis for differing oncogenic behavior. Conclusion The presentation of HPV-type data in a phylogenetic format enriches knowledge of the genes that laboratory professionals test and improves upon teaching the mechanisms of infection and integration that have developed through genetic variation while also incorporating molecular biology and bioinformatics into the clinical laboratory education setting.