Synonymous mutations reduce genome compactness in icosahedral ssRNA viruses.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have shown that single-stranded (ss) viral RNAs fold into more compact structures than random RNA sequences with similar chemical composition and identical length. Based on this comparison, it has been suggested that wild-type viral RNA may have evolved to be atypically compact so as to aid its encapsidation and assist the viral assembly process. To further explore the compactness selection hypothesis, we systematically compare the predicted sizes of >100 wild-type viral sequences with those of their mutants, which are evolved in silico and subject to a number of known evolutionary constraints. In particular, we enforce mutation synonynimity, preserve the codon-bias, and leave untranslated regions intact. It is found that progressive accumulation of these restricted mutation

SUBMITTER: Tubiana L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4286596 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature