Molecular Evolution of Viruses — Past and Present, 2000
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.

Evolution of Viruses by Acquisition of Cellular RNA or DNA Nucleotide Sequences and Genes: An Introduction; Y. Becker. Part A: Virus Genes Acquired to Evade the Host Immune Responses. Immunomodulatory Functions Encoded by the E3 Transcription Unit of Adenoviruses; H.-G. Burgert, J.H. Blusch. Immune Escape by Hepatitis B Viruses; U. Protzer, H. Schaller. MHC Class I-Subversive Gene Functions of Cytomegalovirus and Their Regulation by Interferons - An Intricate Balance; C. Benz, H. Hengel. Part B: Acquisition of Cellular and Viral Genes by Herpes and Iridoviruses. Marek's Disease Herpesvirus Transforming Protein MEQ: A c-Jun Analogue with an Alternative Life Style; J.-L. Liu, H.-J. Kung. Herpesvirus Homologues of Cellular Genes; M. Raftery, et al. Iridovirus Homologues of Cellular Genes - Implications for the Molecular Evolution of Large DNA Viruses; C.A. Tidona, G. Darai. Part C: Poxvirus Gene Homologues of Cellular Genes. Sequence and Functional Analysis of a Homolog of Interleukin-10 Encoded by the Parapoxvirus Orf Virus Genes; S.B. Fleming, et al. Myxoma Virus Expresses a TNF Receptor Homolog with Two Distinct Functions; X. Xu, et al. Poxvirus Homologues of Cellular Genes; J.J. Bugert, G. Darai.