Genes in the terminal regions of orthopoxvirus genomes experience adaptive molecular evolution.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Orthopoxviruses are dsDNA viruses with large genomes, some encoding over 200 genes. Genes essential for viral replication are located in the center of the linear genome and genes encoding host response modifiers and other host interacting proteins are located in the terminal regions. The central portion of the genome is highly conserved, both in gene content and sequence, while the terminal regions are more diverse. In this study, we investigated the role of adaptive molecular evolution in poxvirus genes and the selective pressures that act on the different regions of the genome. The relative fixation rates of synonymous and non-synonymous mutations (the d(N)/d(S) ratio) are an indicator of the mechanism of evolution of sequences, and can be used to identify purifying, n

SUBMITTER: Esteban DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3123329 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature