The most severe respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) syndrome, the virus that causes the coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is spreading worldwide.
With this release, new variations and series have emerged, threatening the efficacy of recently developed and released SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Researchers at the Department of Integrated Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa, found evidence of a dramatic change in the selective forces acting on immunologically important SARS-CoV-2 genes, such as N and S. These were apparently of the 501Y lines.
In the study, published in the pre-print service medRxiv *, the team studied patterns of mutations that appeared in the SARS-CoV-2 genome at the time of the pandemic.
MARS-CoV-2 mutation
Between December 2019 and October 2020, the worldwide evolution of the virus included a highly susceptible new host population. Mutation of D614G (Asp614-to-Gly) in the viral spike protein has spread the spread of the virus.
Of these, many mutations were not epidemiologically significant without affecting the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. However, these mutations were characterized by a mutated pattern of slow and neutral random genetic movement.
Since October 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has mutation several times. Currently, three variants are actively rolling out – the UK variant called B.1.1.7 with many mutations in fall 2020, the South African variant called B.1.351, and the Brazilian variant called called P.1.
SARS-CoV-2 genome map showing the encoded amino acid locations and mutations of what we considered here as signature mutations of V1, V2 and V3 sequences. Genes represented by light blue blocks encode unstructured proteins and genes in orange structural proteins: S encodes the spike protein, E is the envelope protein, M is the protein matrix, and N is the protein nucleocapsid. Within the S-gene, the receptor binding area (RBD) is characterized by a darker shade and the site where the S protein is cleared is in two substrates at priming time for receptor binding and cell entry marked by a straight line line.
The RA variable spreads faster and easier than other variables. In January 2021, scientists stated that the variant may be associated with a greater risk of death than other variable viruses. It has spread to many countries around the world.
The B.1.351 variant is known to resist the effects of vaccines and treatments against COVID-19. Meanwhile, the P.1 variant appeared in Brazilian travelers in early January. This variant involves a set of additional swabs that may affect its ability to be identified by antibodies.
In the study, the difference B.1.17 or 501Y.V1 is referred to as V1, B.1.351 or 501Y.V2 as V2, and the version P.1 or 501Y.V3 is called V3.
To date, studies suggest that antibodies obtained through vaccination with approved vaccines recognize these variables, but further study is ongoing.
Locations of amino acids encoded by codes that emerge under positive selection and / or encode homogenous amino acid changes between the layers mapped to a 3D Spike structure (PDB structure 7DF4; 47). The human ACE2 receptor is shown in light blue. Signature mutations are not represented unless they are selected for advanced selection. Pairs of sites that are easily found within the different layers are connected by purple lines.
The study
The study aimed to test the evolutionary potential of SARS-CoV-2 to accommodate population immunity changes and infection control measures such as social distance and vaccination.
The researchers studied patterns of mutations that appeared in SARS-CoV-2 genomes during the pandemic.
The team used a series of natural selection analysis techniques based on phylogenetics to examine advanced selection patterns within the protein coding sequences of the three sequences.
The results of the study showed that the 501Y lines were emerging with a large global variation in positive selection signals. This implies a general shift in the selective environment in which SARS-CoV-2 occurs.
They also found a significant shift in the selective forces acting on SARS-CoV-2 genes. Further, the team revealed that the evolutionary evolution of the 501Y lines converges between rows. This study clarifies the significance of a study of how members of the 501Y line evolve similar levels to ensure their survival.
The 501Y lines suddenly appeared
The team explained that mutations did not arise in the first months of the pandemic. This was the languid rate of viral evolution. The onset of the pandemic was a health peak for the virus in terms of its ability to infect and spread between humans.
Since October 2020, however, a sudden appearance on the 501Y lines has led to skyrocketing issues around the world. The V1, V2, and V3 caused the faster spread of the virus, which has now reached 192 countries and regions.
“Given the numbers of infections that had occurred before October, all of these individual mutations, and even all of these potentially interacting pairs, would be different. has risen independently, “the researchers explained.
To date, the number of cases has killed more than 117 million and 2.59 million. The United States reports the highest number of diseases, amounting to 29 million. The other countries with skyrocketing cases include India, with 11.22 million cases; Brazil, with 11 million cases, Russia, with 4.28 million cases, and the UK, with 4.23 million cases.
* Important message
medRxiv publish preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be seen as final, guiding health-related clinical / behavioral practice, or be treated as information established.
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