Genomewide patterns of substitution in adaptively evolving populations of the RNA bacteriophage MS2.

ABSTRACT: Experimental evolution of bacteriophage provides a powerful means of studying the genetics of adaptation, as every substitution contributing to adaptation can be identified and characterized. Here, I use experimental evolution of MS2, an RNA bacteriophage, to study its adaptive response to a novel environment. To this end, three lines of MS2 were adapted to rapid growth and lysis at cold temperature for a minimum of 50 phage generations and subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Using this system, I identified adaptive substitutions, monitored changes in frequency of adaptive mutations through the course of the experiment, and measured the effect on phage growth rate of each substitution. All three lines showed a substantial increase in fitness (a two- to threefold increase in growth rate)

SUBMITTER: Betancourt AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2666518 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature