Predicting the Stability of Homologous Gene Duplications in a Plant RNA Virus.

ABSTRACT: One of the striking features of many eukaryotes is the apparent amount of redundancy in coding and non-coding elements of their genomes. Despite the possible evolutionary advantages, there are fewer examples of redundant sequences in viral genomes, particularly those with RNA genomes. The factors constraining the maintenance of redundant sequences in present-day RNA virus genomes are not well known. Here, we use Tobacco etch virus, a plant RNA virus, to investigate the stability of genetically redundant sequences by generating viruses with potentially beneficial gene duplications. Subsequently, we tested the viability of these viruses and performed experimental evolution. We found that all gene duplication events resulted in a loss of viability or in a significant reduction in viral fitnes

SUBMITTER: Willemsen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5633665 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature