Publication Date

6-1-2024

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Viruses

Volume

16

Issue

6

DOI

10.3390/v16060977

Abstract

Experimental evolution studies, in which biological populations are evolved in a specific environment over time, can address questions about the nature of spontaneous mutations, responses to selection, and the origins and maintenance of novel traits. Here, we review more than 30 years of experimental evolution studies using the bacteriophage (phage) Φ6 cystovirus. Similar to many lab-studied bacteriophages, Φ6 has a high mutation rate, large population size, fast generation time, and can be genetically engineered or cryogenically frozen, which facilitates its rapid evolution in the laboratory and the subsequent characterization of the effects of its mutations. Moreover, its segmented RNA genome, outer membrane, and capacity for multiple phages to coinfect a single host cell make Φ6 a good non-pathogenic model for investigating the evolution of RNA viruses that infect humans. We describe experiments that used Φ6 to address the fitness effects of spontaneous mutations, the consequences of evolution in the presence of coinfection, the evolution of host ranges, and mechanisms and consequences of the evolution of thermostability. We highlight open areas of inquiry where further experimentation on Φ6 could inform predictions for pathogenic viruses.

Funding Number

23-SRF-08-051

Funding Sponsor

National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Keywords

bacteriophage, coinfection, cystovirus, experimental evolution, genetic exchange, genetic robustness, host range, mutational effects, thermostability, Φ6

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Biological Sciences

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