Puzzles, challenges, and information reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 quasispecies

Upon the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population, it was conjectured that for this coronavirus the dynamic intra-host heterogeneity typical of RNA viruses would be toned down. Nothing of this sort is observed. Here we review the main observations on the complexity and diverse composition of SARS-CoV-2 mutant spectra sampled from infected patients, within the framework of quasispecies dynamics. The analyses suggest that the information provided by myriads of genomic sequences within infected individuals may have a predictive value of the genomic sequences that acquire epidemiological relevance. Possibilities to reconcile the presence of broad mutant spectra in the large RNA coronavirus genome with its encoding a 3' to 5' exonuclease proofreading-repair activity are considered. Indeterminations in the behavior of individual viral genomes provide a benefit for the survival of the ensemble. We propose that this concept falls in the domain of "stochastic thinking," a notion that applies also to cellular processes, as a means for biological systems to face unexpected needs.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2023

Erschienen:

2023

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:97

Enthalten in:

Journal of virology - 97(2023), 12 vom: 21. Dez., Seite e0151123

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Domingo, Esteban [VerfasserIn]
Martínez-González, Brenda [VerfasserIn]
García-Crespo, Carlos [VerfasserIn]
Somovilla, Pilar [VerfasserIn]
de Ávila, Ana Isabel [VerfasserIn]
Soria, María Eugenia [VerfasserIn]
Durán-Pastor, Antoni [VerfasserIn]
Perales, Celia [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Cancer heterogeneity
Coronavirus
Deletion
Error threshold
Journal Article
Mutant spectrum
Mutation
Prion
Review
Ultra-deep sequencing
Viral disease control
Virus complexity

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 04.01.2024

Date Revised 04.01.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1128/jvi.01511-23

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM365833630