Persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus in cell culture revisited: implications for contingency in evolution

• DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.83312-0
• Publication Date: 2007-12-18T16:33:35Z
• Authors: Mónica Herrera; Ana Grande-Pérez; Celia Perales; Esteban Domingo
• Keywords: Persistence (discontinuity); Coevolution; Aphthovirus; Viral evolution; Cell type

If we could rewind the tape of evolution and play it again, would turn out to be similar or different from what know? Obviously, this key question can only addressed by fragmentary experimental approaches. Twenty-two years ago, described establishment BHK-21 cells persistently infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a system that displayed as its major biological feature coevolution resident in course persistence. Now report two cell lines parallel, starting same clones FMDV used 22 ago. We have asked whether newly established earlier line different. The main conclusions study are: (i) basic behaviour characterized virus-cell is three carrier lines, despite differences some genetic alterations FMDV; (ii) strikingly parallel has been observed passaged unveiling deterministic during persistence; (iii) selective RT-PCR amplifications detected imbalances proportion positive- versus negative-strand viral RNA, mediated both cellular factors. results confirm reproducible persistence culture, suggest rapidly evolving viruses may constitute adequate test systems probe influence historical contingency on evolutionary events.