Transmission bottlenecks and RNAi collectively influence tick-borne flavivirus evolution.

ABSTRACT: Arthropod-borne RNA viruses exist within hosts as heterogeneous populations of viral variants and, as a result, possess great genetic plasticity. Understanding the micro-evolutionary forces shaping these viruses can provide insights into how they emerge, adapt, and persist in new and changing ecological niches. While considerable attention has been directed toward studying the population dynamics of mosquito-borne viruses, little is known about tick-borne virus populations. Therefore, using a mouse and Ixodes scapularis tick transmission model, we examined Powassan virus (POWV; Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) populations in and between both the vertebrate host and arthropod vector. We found that genetic bottlenecks, RNAi-mediated diversification, and selective constraints collectiv

SUBMITTER: Grubaugh ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5210029 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature