Publications by authors named "A R Mushegian"
Pathogen sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic has generated more whole genome sequencing data than for any other epidemic, allowing epidemiologists to monitor the transmission and evolution of SARS-CoV-2. However, large parts of the world are heavily underrepresented in sequencing efforts, including the Caribbean islands. We performed genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from upper respiratory tract samples collected in Haiti during the spring of 2020.
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- The article outlines recent updates to virus taxonomy approved by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) in April 2024.
- The ICTV invited members to vote on 203 taxonomic proposals, resulting in significant additions across various levels, including one new phylum and 3,547 new species.
- The total number of established virus species now stands at 14,690, following the ratification of proposals for species name formatting to the binomial system.
Gene knockout studies suggest that ~300 genes in a bacterial genome and ~1,100 genes in a yeast genome cannot be deleted without loss of viability. These single-gene knockout experiments do not account for negative genetic interactions, when two or more genes can each be deleted without effect, but their joint deletion is lethal. Thus, large-scale single-gene deletion studies underestimate the size of a minimal gene set compatible with cell survival.
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- - Virus genomes can have overlapping open reading frames that enhance their coding capabilities, but it's unclear if these overlapping genes limit their evolutionary potential.
- - The study focuses on two proteins, p22 and p19, found in plant viruses, revealing that p19 has a known structure while p22's structure was predicted using AlphaFold, indicating it has a fold similar to virus capsid proteins.
- - The findings suggest that p22 evolved from a common virus capsid protein through duplication, whereas p19 likely developed through gradual lengthening of its gene and the addition of functional structures, showcasing an example of protein structure convergence in nature.