Viral error catastrophe by mutagenic nucleosides

Riboviruses and retroviruses have the highest rates of mutations of any known organism. Increasing the mutation rate of these viruses could exceed the error threshold for viability of a viral population within a host. Recent experiments with mutagenic nucleoside analogs validate this new approach to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of microbiology 2004-01, Vol.58 (1), p.183-205
Main Authors: ANDERSON, Jon P, DAIFUKU, Richard, LOEB, Lawrence A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antiviral Agents - pharmacology
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hepacivirus - genetics
Hepatitis C - drug therapy
Hepatitis C virus
HIV - genetics
HIV - metabolism
HIV Infections - drug therapy
Humans
Microbiology
Miscellaneous
Models, Genetic
Mutagenesis - genetics
Mutation
Nucleosides - genetics
Nucleosides - pharmacology
Ribavirin - therapeutic use
RNA Viruses - genetics
Virology
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Summary:Riboviruses and retroviruses have the highest rates of mutations of any known organism. Increasing the mutation rate of these viruses could exceed the error threshold for viability of a viral population within a host. Recent experiments with mutagenic nucleoside analogs validate this new approach to treating infection of RNA viruses. Lethal mutagenesis with HIV-infected cells in culture has been documented and has been postulated to be the mechanism for treatment of hepatitis C with ribavirin. We consider the viral dynamics involved in the formation of a quasispecies, the choice of mutagenic nucleoside analogs, and the studies that have demonstrated the feasibility of lethal mutagenesis.
ISSN:0066-4227
1545-3251
DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.58.030603.123649