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Annu Rev Virol. 2017 May 26. doi: 10.1146/annurev-virology-101416-041726. [Epub ahead of print]
Constraints, Drivers, and Implications of Influenza A Virus Reassortment.
Lowen AC1.
Author information
Abstract
Influenza A viruses are constantly changing. This change accounts for seasonal epidemics, infrequent pandemics, and zoonotic outbreaks. A major mechanism underlying the genetic diversification of influenza A virus is reassortment of intact gene segments between coinfecting viruses. This exchange is possible because of the segmented nature of the viral genome. Here, I first consider the constraints and drivers acting on influenza A virus reassortment, including the likelihood of coinfection at the host and cellular levels, mixing and assembly of heterologous gene segments within coinfected cells, and the fitness associated with reassortant genotypes. I then discuss the implications of reassortment for influenza A virus evolution, including its classically recognized role in the emergence of genetically "shifted" pandemic strains as well its potential role as a catalyst of genetic drift. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology Volume 4 is September 29, 2017. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
PMID: 28548881 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-101416-041726
Constraints, Drivers, and Implications of Influenza A Virus Reassortment.
Lowen AC1.
Author information
Abstract
Influenza A viruses are constantly changing. This change accounts for seasonal epidemics, infrequent pandemics, and zoonotic outbreaks. A major mechanism underlying the genetic diversification of influenza A virus is reassortment of intact gene segments between coinfecting viruses. This exchange is possible because of the segmented nature of the viral genome. Here, I first consider the constraints and drivers acting on influenza A virus reassortment, including the likelihood of coinfection at the host and cellular levels, mixing and assembly of heterologous gene segments within coinfected cells, and the fitness associated with reassortant genotypes. I then discuss the implications of reassortment for influenza A virus evolution, including its classically recognized role in the emergence of genetically "shifted" pandemic strains as well its potential role as a catalyst of genetic drift. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology Volume 4 is September 29, 2017. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
PMID: 28548881 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-101416-041726