Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
Published on: December 29, 2015
Cooperation between different RNA virus genomes produces a new phenotype
Yuta Shirogane1, Shumpei Watanabe, Yusuke Yanagi
1Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. yuuta@virology.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Measles virus evolved to regain fusion ability through cooperation. A single virus particle contained two genomes, enabling mutant and wild-type proteins to enhance membrane fusion together.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- RNA virus populations evolve rapidly due to high RNA polymerase error rates.
- Measles virus utilizes a fusion protein for viral and cell membrane fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of a non-fusogenic measles virus.
- To understand the mechanism of regained membrane fusion ability.
Main Methods:
- Passaging of a non-fusogenic recombinant measles virus.
- Genomic analysis of evolved viruses.
- Analysis of fusion protein activity.
Main Results:
- Evolved measles virus regained membrane fusion capability.
- A novel mutant virus contained two distinct genomes within one virion.
- One genome encoded wild-type fusion protein, the other a mutated version.
- Neither protein alone mediated fusion, but together they showed enhanced activity via hetero-oligomer formation.
Conclusions:
- A molecular mechanism for cooperation between different RNA virus genomes was identified.
- This cooperation enhances viral fusion activity.
- Findings have implications for viral evolution and macromolecular evolution.
More Related Videos
11:12Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm
Published on: April 12, 2017
18:10Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
Published on: June 16, 2011
Related Concept Videos
Viruses with RNA Genomes
Viral Recombination
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Viral Mutations
Retroviruses