Lim, Efrem (2012) Fundamentals of the Host-Virus Evolutionary Arms Race. PhD thesis, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center / University of Washington.
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Abstract
The immune system has been battling viral infections over the course of millions of years in primate evolution. The constant evolution of hosts and viruses to defeat the other has led to a high stakes genetic arms race. Here I present a detailed study of three antiviral proteins locked in antagonistic viral conflict called Tetherin, Viperin and SAMHD1. Using a combined approach of virology and evolutionary biology, I have reconstructed their evolutionary arms race between primates and lentiviruses, including HIV-1, HIV-2 and related SIVs. The broad themes that emerge from my research are two-fold. First, lentiviruses are able to evolve new functions within existing gene repertoires to counteract rapidly evolving host antiviral genes. Second, hosts escape from viral pressure either by single amino acid changes or by deletions of a ‘susceptibility domain'. Thus, my thesis research has helped define the rules by which host-virus arms races ensue. Based on my findings, we contend that the host evolutionary framework is a fundamental pillar of antiviral restriction.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Cellular and Organismal Processes > Evolution Organisms > Viruses Diseases > Viral diseases |
| Depositing User: | Craig Johansen |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Mar 2012 18:32 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Feb 2013 19:59 |
| URI: | http://authors.fhcrc.org/id/eprint/540 |
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