Stability of murine cytomegalovirus genome after in vitro and in vivo passage

J Virol. 2010 Mar;84(5):2623-8. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02142-09. Epub 2009 Dec 16.

Abstract

While large DNA viruses are thought to have low mutation rates, only a small fraction of their genomes have been analyzed at the single-nucleotide level. Here, we defined the genetic stability of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) by whole-genome sequencing. Independently assembled sequences of three sister plaques showed only two single-base-pair substitutions after in vitro passage. In vivo-passaged MCMV likewise demonstrated low mutation rates, comparable to those after in vitro passage, indicating high genome stability of MCMV at the single-nucleotide level in the absence of obvious selection pressure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Genomic Instability*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muromegalovirus / genetics*
  • Muromegalovirus / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA