Molecular Evolution of Viruses -- Past and Present : Evolution of Viruses by Acquisition of Cellular RNA and DNA

The studies in this special issue of __VIRUS GENES__ provide information on the mechanisms by which viruses have evolved together with their natural hosts by acquiring RNA and DNA molecules from the infected cells into their genomes. Part A is devoted to studies on virus genes that were acquired to evade the vertebrate host immune system. Part B deals with the acquisition of cellular and foreign virus genes by Herpes and Irido viruses. The studies presented in Part C describe the poxvirus genes that are homologues of cellular genes. Together, these studies provide an insight into the evolutionary processes that viruses have developed to control the metabolic machinery of the infected tissue cells, and to prevent the defense machinery of the infected host, e.g., the immune system, from recognizing the infecting virus. Such mechanisms may explain the pathogenicity and reflect the virulence of viruses. __Molecular Evolution of Viruses - Past and Present: Evolution of____Viruses by Acquisition of Cellular RNA and DNA__ was preceded by two __VIRUS GENES__ special issues on the evolution of viruses (__VIRUS GENES__ 11:2/3, 1996, and __VIRUS GENES__ 16:1, 1998). The first special issue dealt with the evolution of retrons, retroelements, retroviruses and endogenous retroviruses and current evolution of viruses. The second special issue provided information on the evolution of human, marine algae and fungal viruses. These issues, together with the third special issue on virus evolution, provide an interesting insight into the evolution of DNA and RNA viruses. The studies in this special issue of VIRUS GENES provide information on the mechanisms by which viruses have evolved together with their natural hosts by acquiring RNA and DNA molecules from the infected cells into their genomes. Part A is devoted to studies on virus genes that were acquired to evade the vertebrate host immune system. Part B deals with the acquisition of cellular and foreign virus genes by Herpes and Irido viruses. The studies presented in Part C describe the poxvirus genes that are homologues of cellular genes. Together, these studies provide an insight into the evolutionary processes that viruses have developed to control the metabolic machinery of the infected tissue cells, and to prevent the defense machinery of the infected host, e.g., the immune system, from recognizing the infecting virus. Such mechanisms may explain the pathogenicity and reflect the virulence of viruses. Molecular Evolution of Viruses - Past and Present: Evolution of Viruses by Acquisition of Cellular RNA and DNA was preceded by two VIRUS GENES special issues on the evolution of viruses ( VIRUS GENES 11:2/3, 1996, and VIRUS GENES 16:1, 1998). The first special issue dealt with the evolution of retrons, retroelements, retroviruses and endogenous retroviruses and current evolution of viruses. The second special issue provided information on the evolution of human, marine algae and fungal viruses. These issues, together with the third special issue on virus evolution, provide an interesting insight into the evolution of DNA and RNA viruses. Front Matter....Pages 1-3 Front Matter....Pages 5-5 Evolution of Viruses by Acquisition of Cellular RNA or DNA Nucleotide Sequences and Genes: An Introduction....Pages 7-12 Immunomodulatory Functions Encoded by the E3 Transcription Unit of Adenoviruses....Pages 13-25 Immune Escape by Hepatitis B Viruses....Pages 27-37 MHC Class I-Subversive Gene Functions of Cytomegalovirus and their Regulation by Interferons-an Intricate Balance....Pages 39-47 Front Matter....Pages 49-49 Marek’s Disease Herpesvirus Transforming Protein MEQ: a c-Jun Analogue with an Alternative Life Style....Pages 51-64 Herpesvirus Homologues of Cellular Genes....Pages 65-75 Iridovirus Homologues of Cellular Genes—Implications for the Molecular Evolution of Large DNA Viruses....Pages 77-81 Front Matter....Pages 83-83 Sequence and Functional Analysis of a Homolog of Interleukin-10 Encoded by the Parapoxvirus Orf Virus....Pages 85-95 Myxoma Virus Expresses a TNF Receptor Homolog with two Distinct Functions....Pages 97-109 Poxvirus Homologues of Cellular Genes....Pages 111-133