Scaling law characterizing the dynamics of the transition of HIV-1 to error catastrophe.
Increasing the mutation rate, μ of viruses above a threshold, μ(c) has been predicted to trigger a catastrophic loss of viral genetic information and is being explored as a novel intervention strategy. Here, we examine the dynamics of this transition using stochastic simulations mimicking within-host HIV-1 evolution. We find a scaling law governing the characteristic time of the transition: τ ≈ 0.6/(μ - μ(c)). The law is robust to variations in underlying evolutionary forces and presents guidelines for treatment of HIV-1 infection with mutagens. We estimate that many years of treatment would be required before HIV-1 can suffer an error catastrophe.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Vipul
V
Gupta
Narendra M
NM
Dixit
D003198:Computer Simulation; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009153:Mutagens / Q000494:pharmacology; D059645:Mutation Rate; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D009153:Mutagens