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Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
Published on: June 16, 2011
A single mutation in chikungunya virus affects vector specificity and epidemic potential
Konstantin A Tsetsarkin1, Dana L Vanlandingham, Charles E McGee
1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America.
Plos Pathogens
|December 12, 2007
Summary
A single mutation in the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) envelope protein (E1-A226V) significantly increased its infectivity and transmission in the Aedes albopictus mosquito. This finding explains CHIKV epidemic spread and potential range expansion.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Arthropod-borne viruses
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging arbovirus responsible for large-scale epidemics.
- The 2005-2006 Reunion Island epidemic involved a CHIKV strain with an E1-A226V mutation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the E1-A226V mutation on CHIKV fitness in different mosquito vectors.
- To understand how this mutation influenced the 2005-2006 CHIKV epidemic.
Main Methods:
- Compared CHIKV infectivity, dissemination, and transmission in Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti using engineered viral clones.
- Analyzed the effect of the E1-A226V mutation on CHIKV cholesterol dependence.
Main Results:
- The E1-A226V mutation significantly enhanced CHIKV infectivity and dissemination in Ae. albopictus.
- This mutation marginally decreased CHIKV midgut infectivity in Ae. aegypti but slightly increased transmission.
- Cholesterol dependence was associated with increased CHIKV fitness in Ae. albopictus.
Conclusions:
- A single amino acid substitution (E1-A226V) can alter CHIKV vector specificity and epidemic potential.
- This mutation provides a plausible explanation for CHIKV's epidemic spread in areas with Ae. albopictus.
- The E1-A226V mutation increases the risk of CHIKV range expansion into Europe and the Americas.
