Components of selection in the evolution of the influenza virus: linkage effects beat inherent selection

• Published in: PLoS pathogens Vol. 8; no. 12; p. e1003091
• Main Authors: Illingworth, Christopher J R, Mustonen, Ville
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.12.2012; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adaptation; Base Sequence; Biology; Drug resistance; Evolution, Molecular; Gene Frequency; Gene mutations; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genetics; Health aspects; Hemagglutinins - genetics; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype - genetics; Influenza viruses; Linkage Disequilibrium; Mathematical models; Models, Genetic; Mutation; Physiological aspects; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Population; Selection, Genetic; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Success; Viral genetics; United Kingdom

The influenza virus is an important human pathogen, with a rapid rate of evolution in the human population. The rate of homologous recombination within genes of influenza is essentially zero. As such, where two alleles within the same gene are in linkage disequilibrium, interference between alleles...