Experimental adaptation of an RNA virus mimics natural evolution.

ABSTRACT: Identification of virulence determinants of viruses is of critical importance in virology. In search of such determinants, virologists traditionally utilize comparative genomics between a virulent and an avirulent virus strain and construct chimeras to map their locations. Subsequent comparison reveals sequence differences, and through analyses of site-directed mutants, key residues are identified. In the absence of a naturally occurring virulent strain, an avirulent strain can be functionally converted to a virulent variant via an experimental evolutionary approach. However, the concern remains whether experimentally evolved virulence determinants mimic those that have evolved naturally. To provide a direct comparison, we exploited a plant RNA virus, soybean mosaic virus (SMV), and its na

SUBMITTER: Hajimorad MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3067964 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature