Paramyxoviruses, negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, pose a critical threat to
human public health. Currently, 78 species, 17 genera, and 4 subfamilies of paramyxoviruses are harbored by multiple natural reservoirs, including rodents, bats, birds, reptiles, and fish. Henipaviruses
are critical zoonotic pathogens that cause severe acute respiratory distress and neurological diseases
in humans. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 115 Crocidura species individuals
were examined for the prevalence of paramyxovirus infections. Paramyxovirus RNA was observed in
26 (22.6%) shrews collected at five trapping sites, Republic of Korea. Herein, we report two genetically
distinct novel paramyxoviruses (genus: Henipavirus): Gamak virus (GAKV) and Daeryong virus
(DARV) isolated from C. lasiura and C. shantungensis, respectively. Two GAKVs and one DARV were
nearly completely sequenced using next-generation sequencing. GAKV and DARV contain six genes
(30
-N-P-M-F-G-L-50
) with genome sizes of 18,460 nucleotides and 19,471 nucleotides, respectively.
The phylogenetic inference demonstrated that GAKV and DARV form independent genetic lineages
of Henipavirus in Crocidura species. GAKV-infected human lung epithelial cells elicited the induction
of type I/III interferons, interferon-stimulated genes, and proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion,
this study contributes further understandings of the molecular prevalence, genetic characteristics
and diversity, and zoonotic potential of novel paramyxoviruses in shrews
