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Related Concept Videos

Viral Mutations00:36

Viral 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...
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses 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...
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size 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...
Rabies01:28

Rabies

Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay02:27

Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay

The Upf proteins that carry out nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) are found in all eukaryotic organisms, including humans. Each protein has an individual role, but they need to work in collaboration. Upf1 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that unwinds the RNA helix. Because Upf1 can unwind any RNA, Upf2 and Upf3 are required to help Upf1 discriminate between nonsense and normal mRNAs.
Usually, Upf3 binds to an Exon Junction Complex (EJC) at mRNA splice sites. If a ribosome fully translates the mRNA,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
18:10

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Published on: June 16, 2011

Pacing a small cage: mutation and RNA viruses.

Robert Belshaw1, Andy Gardner, Andrew Rambaut

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. robert.belshaw@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|February 26, 2008
PubMed
Summary

High mutation rates in RNA viruses likely trade off with replication speed. Further research into artificial mutation increase for antiviral therapy needs reevaluation, considering genome size constraints.

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
18:10

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Published on: June 16, 2011

Reverse Genetics to Engineer Positive-Sense RNA Virus Variants
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Published on: June 9, 2022

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus
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Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • RNA viruses exhibit exceptionally high mutation rates.
  • These high mutation rates may be linked to a trade-off with replication speed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary consequences of high mutation rates in RNA viruses.
  • To reevaluate the theoretical basis for using increased mutation rates as an antiviral strategy, particularly concerning the error threshold.
  • To investigate the constraint of small genome size imposed by high mutation rates.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of RNA viral evolution.
  • Review of existing experimental and comparative data.
  • Explanation of key terminology in RNA viral evolution.

Main Results:

  • A proposed trade-off between mutation rate and replication speed in RNA viruses.
  • High mutation rates restrict RNA viruses to smaller genomes, limiting evolutionary possibilities.
  • The concept of the error threshold is crucial for understanding the limits of viral mutation.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the mutation-replication trade-off is key to RNA virus evolution.
  • Artificial augmentation of mutation rates for antiviral purposes requires careful theoretical consideration.
  • Further experimental and comparative studies are needed to explore evolutionary constraints and adaptations in RNA viruses.