TABLE 1.
Main points on viral quasispeciesa
| RNA virus isolates consist of complex mutant spectra, rather than a limited number of variant genomes |
| Replicating mutant spectra have a changing composition, influenced by their dependence on heterogeneous cellular collectivities |
| Intrapopulation diversity is genetic and functional. Viral quasispecies are phenotypic reservoirs |
| Interactions within replicating mutant spectra can influence the behavior of the ensemble |
| Some RNA virus populations, notably SARS-CoV-2, are rich in DGs that participate in quasispecies implications |
| Bottlenecks promote genetic drift, relieve genomes from internal interactions, and can modify viral traits |
| Quasispecies conditions the efficacy of antiviral interventions. Monotherapies and single epitope vaccines are inadequate |
| RNA virus plasticity parallels that of other biological collectivities, notably tumor cells and prions |
| Lethal mutagenesis, rooted in the error threshold concept of quasispecies theory, stands as an effective antiviral strategy |
| Quasispecies dynamics is one of multiple factors that contribute to unpredictable viral disease emergences |
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aThe 10 statements are based on studies described and expanded in the text and references quoted therein.
