Host coevolution alters the adaptive landscape of a virus
Alita R Burmeister1, Richard E Lenski2, Justin R Meyer3
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA Program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA alita@msu.edu.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|September 30, 2016
Summary
Bacteriophage lambda evolved to use a new receptor, OmpF, on E. coli. Coevolution with host resistance accelerated this viral innovation, demonstrating the role of host-virus interactions in shaping new functions.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Microbial genetics
- Virology
Background:
- Origin of novel biological functions is key to life's diversity.
- Key innovations often require multiple genetic changes.
- Bacteriophage lambda's repeated evolution to use OmpF receptor on E. coli presents a model for studying innovation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the evolutionary path of bacteriophage lambda's OmpF receptor exploitation.
- Analyze the role of host coevolution in viral innovation.
- Understand how adaptive landscapes facilitate the emergence of new viral functions.
Main Methods:
- Studied six intermediate genotypes of bacteriophage lambda during OmpF receptor acquisition.
- Compared intermediate genotypes to the ancestral bacteriophage lambda.
- Assessed adsorption rates and host resistance evolution in E. coli.
Main Results:
- Intermediate bacteriophage lambda genotypes showed increased adsorption to the ancestral host.
- Host E. coli evolved resistance by downregulating its LamB receptor.
- Host resistance altered the virus's adaptive landscape, strengthening selection for OmpF exploitation in some lineages.
Conclusions:
- Coevolution between bacteriophage lambda and E. coli significantly influenced the origin of a new viral function.
- Viral fitness is dependent on host genotype, highlighting the importance of host-virus interactions in evolution.
- Adaptive landscape changes driven by host coevolution can accelerate the emergence of key innovations.
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