Jeronimo PMC, Aksenen CF, Duarte IO, Lins RD, Miyajima F. Evolutionary deletions within the SARS-CoV-2 genome as signature trends for virus fitness and adaptation.
J Virol 2024;
98:e0140423. [PMID:
38088350 PMCID:
PMC10804945 DOI:
10.1128/jvi.01404-23]
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Abstract
Coronaviruses are large RNA viruses that can infect and spread among humans and animals. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for coronavirus disease 2019, has evolved since its first detection in December 2019. Deletions are a common occurrence in SARS-CoV-2 evolution, particularly in specific genomic sites, and may be associated with the emergence of highly competent lineages. While deletions typically have a negative impact on viral fitness, some persist and become fixed in viral populations, indicating that they may confer advantageous benefits for the virus's adaptive evolution. This work presents a literature review and data analysis on structural losses in the SARS-CoV-2 genome and the potential relevance of specific signatures for enhanced viral fitness and spread.
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