Host heterogeneity and epistasis explain punctuated evolution of SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT: Identifying drivers of viral diversity is key to understanding the evolutionary as well as epidemiological dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using rich viral genomic data sets, we show that periods of steadily rising diversity have been punctuated by sudden, enormous increases followed by similarly abrupt collapses of diversity. We introduce a mechanistic model of saltational evolution with epistasis and demonstrate that these features parsimoniously account for the observed temporal dynamics of inter-genomic diversity. Our results provide support for recent proposals that saltational evolution may be a signature feature of SARS-CoV-2, allowing the pathogen to more readily evolve highly transmissible variants. These findings lend theoretical support to a heightened awareness of biological

SUBMITTER: Nielsen BF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9974118 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature