Dispersal of southeastern Asians based on a global phylogenetic analysis of JC polyomavirus isolates of genotype SC

Abstract

The SC genotype of the JC polyomavirus is the key to understanding the origin and dispersal of southeastern Asians. We performed a phylogenetic analysis based on complete DNA sequences of 24 SC isolates worldwide, including 11 in China, three in Vietnam, two in Malaysia, two in Myanmar, one in Indonesia, two in Mauritius, one in Zambia, one in South Africa, and one in Hawaii, USA. The results suggest that although SC isolates worldwide can be classified into several subgroups, only one (SC-f) has attained a worldwide distribution. This conclusion was confirmed by a single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of 275 reported partial SC DNA sequences worldwide. Based on the present findings, inferences can be made regarding the ancient dispersals of southeastern Asians carrying particular SC subgroups.