Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 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

Repeated genomic transfers from echovirus 30 to echovirus 6 lineages indicate co-divergence between co-circulating

J-L Bailly1, A Mirand, C Henquell

  • 1Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 3843, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. j-luc.bailly@u-clermont1.fr

Infection, Genetics and Evolution : Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics in Infectious Diseases
|July 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Human echovirus types 6 and 30 (E-6 and E-30) cause aseptic meningitis. Genetic analysis revealed recombination between these viruses, with evidence of directional gene transfer from E-30 to E-6 populations.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Human echovirus types 6 (E-6) and 30 (E-30) are significant causes of aseptic meningitis.
  • Co-circulation of these enteroviruses creates opportunities for dual infections and genetic recombination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary history and recombination patterns of E-6 strains.
  • To compare E-6 evolution with co-circulating E-30 strains.
  • To identify potential genetic exchange between E-6 and E-30.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of viral sequences at the 1D (VP1) and 3CD (non-structural proteins) loci.
  • Coalescent analyses using a relaxed molecular clock and Bayesian skyline demographic model (BEAST program).
  • Identification and statistical localization of recombination breakpoints.

Main Results:

  • Phylogenetic analyses revealed two distinct E-6 populations originating in 1997 and 1999.
  • Incongruent phylogenetic patterns between loci 1D and 3CD indicated recombination events within E-6.
  • Close genetic relationships and statistically significant recombination breakpoints were found between E-6 and E-30 subpopulations.
  • Estimates of divergence times suggested directional genetic transfers from E-30 to E-6.

Conclusions:

  • Recombination is a significant evolutionary force shaping the genetic landscape of E-6 and E-30.
  • Evidence supports directional gene flow from E-30 to E-6, contributing to their co-divergence.
  • Understanding these viral interactions is crucial for tracking and controlling enterovirus epidemics.

More Related Videos

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks10:28

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks

Published on: June 26, 2020

Engineering and Evolution of Synthetic Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Gene Therapy Vectors via DNA Family Shuffling21:55

Engineering and Evolution of Synthetic Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Gene Therapy Vectors via DNA Family Shuffling

Published on: April 2, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
Horizontal Gene Transfer01:27

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
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...
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.