@article{fdi:010095323,
  title = {{C}omplete genome sequence analysis of {S}arbecovirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses) from {Z}imbabwean insectivorous bats},
  author = {{C}hidoti, {V}. and {L}oisier, {A}. and {Z}inyakasa, {T}. and {B}ourgarel, {M}. and {P}inarello, {V}. and {M}atope, {G}. and {C}hiweshe, {N}. and {M}iss{\'e}, {D}oroth{\'e}e and {M}wandiringana, {E}. and {D}e {N}ys, {H}. and {L}i{\'e}geois, {F}lorian},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}at-borne severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses (bat {SARS}r-{C}o{V}s), belonging to the {S}arbecovirus subgenus of the {B}etacoronavirus genus pose a potential risk for zoonotic spillover. {T}his study reports the complete genome sequences of bat sarbecoviruses from {N}ycteris macrotis and {R}hinolophus simulator insectivorous bat species in {Z}imbabwe. {U}sing genome walking and nested {PCR} approaches, six full viral genomes were amplified, sequenced and assembled: one from {N}ycteris macrotis ({MAG}1042) and five from {R}hinolophus simulator bats species ({MAG}388, {MAG}562, {MAG}575, {MAG}850, and {MAG}859). {C}omparative genomic analysis revealed a high degree of sequence conservation (99.6-99.9%) among the {R}hinolophus simulator-characterised sequences, while the {N}ycteris macrotis characterised sequence exhibited 96.7% identity with the {R}hinolophus simulator consensus ({MAG} {C}ons) genomes, suggesting genus-specific evolution. {F}urthermore, the spike region exhibited notable divergence, with only 88% sequence identity between the two genera. {A} complete absence of {ORF}8, and truncation of {ORF}7b genes were observed, while the {RNA} dependent {RNA} polymerase genes were highly conserved across all strains. {P}hylogenetic analysis demonstrated distinct continental clustering, with the {Z}imbabwean genomic sequences forming a well-supported clade within the {A}frican lineage ({L}ineage 4). {T}hese newly characterized {Z}imbabwean sarbecoviruses sequences represent the most recent evolutionary branches within the {L}ineage 4-{A}frican clade, indicating ongoing viral diversification in local bat populations. {T}hese findings expand understanding of {SARS}r-{C}o{V} diversity in {A}frican bats and underscore the importance of geographical isolation in viral evolution.},
  keywords = {{B}at sarbecoviruses ; {N}ycteris macrotis ; {R}hinolophus simulator ; {F}ull genome ; {Z}imbabwe ; {ZIMBABWE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{BMC} {G}enomics},
  volume = {26},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {828 [13 p.]},
  ISSN = {1471-2164},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1186/s12864-025-12015-9},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095323},
}