Measurement of the mutation rates of animal viruses: influenza A virus and poliovirus type 1.

摘要: Epidemiologic and genetic evidence suggests that influenza A viruses evolve more rapidly than other in humans. Although the high mutation rate of virus is often cited as cause extensive variation, direct measurement this parameter has not been obtained vivo. In study, tissue culture for nonstructural (NS) gene VP1 poliovirus type 1 was assayed by sequence analysis. Each repeatedly sequenced over 100 viral clones which were descended from a single virion one plaque generation. total 108 NS genes sequenced, 91,708 nucleotides analyzed, seven point changes observed. 105 95,688 no mutations We then calculated rates 1.5 X 10(-5) less 2.1 10(-6) per nucleotide infectious cycle poliovirus, respectively. suggest higher may promote rapid evolution nature.