Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
11:28
Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
Host phylogeny determines viral persistence and replication in novel hosts.
Ben Longdon1, Jarrod D Hadfield, Claire L Webster
1Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Labs, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. B.Longdon@ed.ac.uk
Plos Pathogens
|October 4, 2011
Summary
Host phylogeny influences pathogen host shifts, impacting infectious disease emergence. Understanding these patterns helps predict disease threats to humans and wildlife.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Disease Ecology
Background:
- Pathogen host shifts are a primary driver of emerging infectious diseases in humans and wildlife.
- Predicting which species may act as reservoirs for novel pathogens is crucial for disease threat assessment.
- Factors governing a pathogen's ability to infect and establish in a new host remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of host phylogeny in viral replication and persistence across different host species.
- To determine the predictability of pathogen host shifts based on host evolutionary relationships.
- To analyze the factors influencing the success of RNA-viruses (Drosophila sigma viruses) in novel Drosophilidae hosts.
Main Methods:
- Experimental inoculation of 51 Drosophilidae species with three host-specific Drosophila sigma viruses (family Rhabdoviridae).
- Quantification of viral replication and persistence (titers) in each host species.
- Application of a novel analytical approach to correlate viral success with host phylogeny.
Main Results:
- Host phylogeny was the primary determinant of viral replication and persistence across tested species.
- Viral titers were higher in novel hosts more closely related to the original host, but also showed strong correlation within related host groups independent of distance.
- A significant portion of the phylogenetic effect was explained by general susceptibility to all three sigma viruses, indicating conserved host resistance/susceptibility traits.
Conclusions:
- Host phylogeny is a strong predictor of pathogen host shifts and subsequent disease emergence.
- Predicting disease threats may be more complex than solely considering close host relatedness, involving broader phylogenetic susceptibility patterns.
- Understanding host-pathogen evolutionary dynamics is key to anticipating and mitigating future infectious disease outbreaks.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
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...
01:26Size 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...
01:16Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects its...
01:29Viruses of Archaea
Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
01:26Human Virome
The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...