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Viral Mutations

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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...

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Updated: May 7, 2026

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

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

Published on: June 16, 2011

Lethal mutagenesis failure may augment viral adaptation.

Matthew L Paff¹, Steven P Stolte, James J Bull

¹Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas.

Molecular Biology and Evolution

|October 5, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Lethal mutagenesis can enhance viral adaptation rather than suppress it. Surviving highly mutated viral populations may show increased adaptation and rapid fitness recovery, with bottlenecks revealing a key vulnerability.

Keywords:

evolution extinction fitness mutation theory virus

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Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

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Published on: March 16, 2011

Area of Science:

Virology
Evolutionary Biology
Genetics

Background:

Lethal mutagenesis aims to eradicate viruses by increasing mutation rates.
While in vitro studies show promise, clinical applications of mutagenic drugs often fail.
A critical question is whether surviving mutated viruses adapt better.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary consequences for viral populations that survive lethal mutagenesis.
To determine if viral adaptation is augmented or suppressed after mutagenesis.

Main Methods:

Using the DNA phage T7 to study highly mutated populations.
Employing inhibitory hosts to assess resistance mutant frequencies.
Analyzing fitness recovery and mutation patterns after mutagenesis, including population bottlenecks.

Main Results:

Mutagenized phage populations showed higher frequencies of resistance mutants in some inhibitory hosts.
Outgrowth of mutagenized populations led to rapid fitness recovery, but with slow decay of polymorphism.
Combining mutagenesis with population bottlenecks significantly reduced fitness, a vulnerability not seen in large populations.

Conclusions:

Viral populations surviving high mutagenesis can exhibit enhanced adaptation in certain environments.
These populations may experience minimal negative fitness consequences under many conditions.
Population bottlenecks represent a critical vulnerability for viruses undergoing mutagenesis.