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Related Concept Videos

Viral Mutations00:36

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...
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Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

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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...
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Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

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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...
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Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

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Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
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Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

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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.
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Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

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The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
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Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
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Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

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Molecular adaptations during viral epidemics.

Nash D Rochman1, Yuri I Wolf1, Eugene V Koonin1

  • 1National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA.

EMBO Reports
|July 18, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Virus genome sequencing reveals key molecular mechanisms of adaptation to humans. Key factors include host interaction gene disruption, recombination, and mutations affecting host receptor binding and membrane fusion.

Keywords:
epidemicmembrane fusionmolecular adaptationsreceptor-binding domainrecombination

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Virology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • The modern genomics era began in 1977, coinciding with smallpox eradication.
  • Seven major epidemic viruses have driven advancements in virus genome sequencing over 50 years.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly boosted investment in phylogenomic analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconstruct the molecular evolutionary histories of eight epidemic viruses adapting to human hosts.
  • To identify the key molecular mechanisms driving virus adaptation and evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Review of comprehensive molecular histories of virus adaptation.
  • Analysis of virus genome sequencing data from variola virus, HIV-1 M, SARS, H1N1-SIV, MERS, Ebola, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2.
  • Identification of genetic and molecular factors influencing host-pathogen interactions.

Main Results:

  • Disruption of virus-host interaction genes in animal reservoirs is a critical factor.
  • Recombination, including genome segment reassortment, plays a significant role in viral evolution.
  • Adaptive mutations in viral proteins are crucial for host receptor binding and membrane fusion.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding virus evolution requires analyzing molecular histories and adaptation mechanisms.
  • Key evolutionary drivers include genetic alterations in host interaction, recombination, and adaptive mutations.
  • These insights are vital for predicting and managing future viral epidemics.