Influenza A Virus Evolution: Stasis and Selection
Author Information
Author(s): Wolf Yuri I, Viboud Cecile, Holmes Edward C, Koonin Eugene V, Lipman David J
Primary Institution: National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
Hypothesis
The evolution of influenza A virus is characterized by long periods of stasis interrupted by bursts of positive selection.
Conclusion
Influenza A virus evolution consists of extended intervals of stasis, punctuated by shorter intervals of rapid fitness increase driven by positive selection.
Supporting Evidence
- Phylogenetic analyses revealed long intervals of neutral evolution in H3N2 HA.
- Positive selection was observed during rapid evolution intervals.
- Stasis periods were characterized by an excess of synonymous substitutions.
- Parallel amino acid replacements were detected in H3N2 HA.
- Statistical tests indicated significant differences in mutation rates.
Takeaway
Influenza A virus changes slowly most of the time, but sometimes it changes quickly to escape the immune system.
Methodology
Phylogenetic analyses of HA sequences from 1995–2005 isolates of H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes.
Potential Biases
The dataset may not represent global diversity due to geographical bias.
Limitations
The sample is geographically limited to New York State and New Zealand.
Participant Demographics
Clinical isolates from New York State and New Zealand.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0017
Statistical Significance
p=0.0017
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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