Selection of nonstandard viral genomes during the evolution of RNA viruses: A virus survival strategy or a pesky inconvenience?

Lavinia J. González Aparicio, Carolina B. López

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

RNA viruses are some of the most successful biological entities due their ability to adapt and evolve. Despite their small genome and parasitic nature, RNA viruses have evolved many mechanisms to ensure their survival and maintenance in the host population. We propose that one of these mechanisms of survival is the generation of nonstandard viral genomes (nsVGs) that accumulate during viral replication. NsVGs are often considered to be accidental defective byproducts of the RNA virus replication, but their ubiquity and the plethora of roles they have during infection indicate that they are an integral part of the virus life cycle. Here we review the different types of nsVGs and discuss how their multiple roles during infection could be beneficial for RNA viruses to be maintained in nature. By shifting our perspectives on what makes a virus successful, we posit that nsVG generation is a conserved phenomenon that arose during RNA virus evolution as an essential component of a healthy virus community.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Virus Research
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages39-61
Number of pages23
ISBN (Print)9780443295447
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

Publication series

NameAdvances in Virus Research
Volume119
ISSN (Print)0065-3527
ISSN (Electronic)1557-8399

Keywords

  • Nonstandard viral genomes
  • RNA virus evolution
  • RNA virus replication
  • RNA viruses
  • Virus fitness

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