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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
07:15
Determining the Likelihood of Variant Pathogenicity Using Amino Acid-level Signal-to-Noise Analysis of Genetic Variation
Published on: January 16, 2019
[Genetic variation and recombination have profound medical implications]
E Thiry1, M M L Alvarez, M Colombo
1Virologie et pathologie des maladies virales, département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires, Faculté de Médecine vétérinaire, U.Lg.
Bulletin Et Memoires De L'Academie Royale De Medecine De Belgique
|April 24, 2008
Summary
Alphaherpesviruses, like herpes simplex virus, have low mutation rates due to efficient DNA repair. Recombination is crucial for their genetic diversity and evolution, aiding escape from medical interventions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Context:
- Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily within Herpesviridae family includes pathogenic viruses like herpes simplex and varicella-zoster.
- These viruses are double-stranded DNA viruses with complex lytic and latent infection cycles.
- They possess intranuclear replication and sophisticated DNA replication machinery with efficient proofreading.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of recombination in the genetic biodiversity and evolution of alphaherpesviruses.
- To understand how recombination contributes to viral escape from medical prevention and treatment strategies.
Summary:
- Alphaherpesviruses exhibit a low mutation rate owing to efficient DNA replication proofreading mechanisms.
- Recombination, alongside mutation, is identified as a key driver of genetic diversity in alphaherpesviruses.
- Experimental data from bovine herpesvirus 1 models underscore the significance of recombination in viral evolution.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical role of recombination in alphaherpesvirus evolution.
- Provides insights into viral mechanisms for evading medical interventions.
- Informs the development of novel strategies for controlling alphaherpesvirus infections.
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