Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
18:10
Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
Published on: June 16, 2011
Parvovirus variation for disease: a difference with RNA viruses?
A López-Bueno1, L P Villarreal, J M Almendral
1Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|March 30, 2006
Summary
Parvoviruses, single-stranded DNA viruses, exhibit rapid evolution and high genetic diversity, similar to RNA viruses. This adaptability is driven by mutations and host interactions, impacting viral fitness and tropism.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Parvoviridae are single-stranded DNA viruses with broad host ranges and significant evolutionary potential.
- Viral populations can exhibit high genetic heterogeneity, influencing infection outcomes.
- Host factors like immunocompetence and developmental stage modulate parvovirus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the evolutionary dynamics of Parvoviridae in mammalian infections.
- To investigate the genetic heterogeneity and adaptive pressures on parvoviruses.
- To identify molecular factors driving rapid parvovirus evolution.
Main Methods:
- Experimental infection of immunodeficient scid mice with minute virus of mice (MVM).
- Whole-genome sequencing of viral populations from infected mouse organs.
- Analysis of viral genetic variation, mutation frequency, and amino acid changes.
Main Results:
- High genetic heterogeneity was observed in MVM populations, with an average mutation frequency of 8.3 x 10(-4) substitutions/nt.
- Specific amino acid substitutions in capsid and NS2 proteins conferred new tropism and increased viral fitness.
- Viral evolution was influenced by immune pressures and interactions with host cellular targets like Crm1 and capsid receptors.
Conclusions:
- Parvoviruses possess remarkable evolutionary capacity, comparable to RNA viruses, despite their DNA genomes.
- Rapid adaptation is driven by genetic variation, selection pressures, and host-cell interactions.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for managing parvovirus infections in mammals.
Related Concept Videos
00:36Viral Mutations
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...