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Related Concept Videos

Mutations in Microorganisms01:18

Mutations in Microorganisms

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Mutations are heritable changes in an organism’s genome involving alterations in the base sequence of DNA or RNA. These changes can influence cellular processes and phenotypic traits, potentially transforming the unaltered wild type into a mutant form. Such changes, termed forward mutations, are pivotal in shaping the genetic diversity of organisms.RNA viruses exhibit the highest mutation rates due to the absence of robust proofreading mechanisms during genome replication. In contrast,...
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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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Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

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In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
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Mismatch Repair01:20

Mismatch Repair

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Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
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Mismatch Repair01:36

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Overview
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Spontaneous and Induced Mutations01:30

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations

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Spontaneous mutations arise infrequently during DNA replication due to errors in the process. A key factor behind these errors is tautomeric shifts in nitrogenous bases, where bases transition from keto to enol forms or amino to imino forms. This shift can alter base-pairing rules, leading to mutations. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) arising from aerobic metabolism can damage DNA, resulting in depurination (loss of a purine base) or depyrimidination (loss of a pyrimidine base).
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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
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Mutation rate variability in viral populations: Implications for lethal mutagenesis.

Sarah Arcos1, Adam S Lauring1,2

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|January 9, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Lethal mutagenesis aims for viral extinction by increasing mutation rates. New research shows RNA viruses like influenza A virus (IAV) have varied mutation rates, requiring gamma-Poisson models for accurate extinction threshold estimation.

Keywords:
RNA virusevolutionlethal mutagenesismutation rates

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Genetics
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • Lethal mutagenesis targets viral extinction by elevating mutation rates.
  • Accurate estimation of the extinction threshold is vital to prevent drug resistance and vaccine escape.
  • Traditional models assume uniform mutation rates, which may not apply to RNA viruses like influenza A virus (IAV).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the suitability of gamma-Poisson distribution for modeling IAV mutations.
  • To determine the impact of mutation rate variability on lethal mutagenesis.
  • To refine antiviral drug design and strategy.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental data collection on IAV mutations.
  • Modeling lethal mutagenesis using gamma-Poisson and Poisson distributions.
  • Simulation of viral population extinction dynamics.

Main Results:

  • IAV mutations exhibit overdispersion, supporting the use of gamma-Poisson models.
  • The degree of overdispersion critically influences viral survival or extinction.
  • Poisson-based models underestimate the mutation rate needed for extinction.

Conclusions:

  • Gamma-Poisson models provide a more accurate framework for lethal mutagenesis in RNA viruses.
  • Mutation rate variability significantly impacts extinction thresholds and time to extinction.
  • This research advances antiviral strategies against influenza A virus and other viral threats.