Ongoing Positive Selection Drives the Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 is a new RNA virus affecting humans and spreads extensively throughout the world since its first outbreak in December, 2019. Whether the transmissibility and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 in humans after zoonotic transfer are actively evolving, and driven by adaptation to the new host and environments is still under debate. Understanding the evolutionary mechanism underlying epidemiological and pathological characteristics of COVID-19 is essential for predicting the epidemic trend, and providing guidance for disease control and treatments. Interrogating novel strategies for identifying natural selection using within-species polymorphisms and 3,674,076 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences of 169 countries as of December 30, 2021, we demonstrate with population genetic evidence that during t

SUBMITTER: Hou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9233880 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature