Role of mutational reversions and fitness restoration in Zika virus spread to the Americas

Role of mutational reversions and fitness restoration in Zika virus spread to the Americas

The trajectory of the emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) into the Americas remains unclear. Here, the authors find that four mutations originated before ZIKV introduction to the Americas are direct reversions of previous mutations that accompanied spread many decades ago from ZIKV’s native Africa to Asi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jianying Liu, Yang Liu, Chao Shan, Bruno T. D. Nunes, Ruimei Yun, Sherry L. Haller, Grace H. Rafael, Sasha R. Azar, Clark R. Andersen, Kenneth Plante, Nikos Vasilakis, Pei-Yong Shi, Scott C. Weaver
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2021-01-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20747-3
Description
Summary:The trajectory of the emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) into the Americas remains unclear. Here, the authors find that four mutations originated before ZIKV introduction to the Americas are direct reversions of previous mutations that accompanied spread many decades ago from ZIKV’s native Africa to Asia, and show in experimental infections of mosquitoes, human cells, and mice that the original mutations reduced fitness for urban transmission, while the reversions restored fitness, likely increasing epidemic risk.
ISSN:2041-1723

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