Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its Upshot
We observe that a residue R of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 that has mutated in one or more of the current variants of concern or interest, or under monitoring, rarely participates in a backbone hydrogen bond if R lies in the S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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Series: | Vaccines |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/12/1509 |
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author | Robert Clark Penner |
author_facet | Robert Clark Penner |
author_sort | Robert Clark Penner |
collection | DOAJ |
description | We observe that a residue R of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 that has mutated in one or more of the current variants of concern or interest, or under monitoring, rarely participates in a backbone hydrogen bond if R lies in the S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mrow></mrow><mn>1</mn></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> subunit and usually participates in one if R lies in the S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mrow></mrow><mn>2</mn></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> subunit. A partial explanation for this based upon free energy is explored as a potentially general principle in the mutagenesis of viral glycoproteins. This observation could help target future vaccine cargos for the evolving coronavirus as well as more generally. A related study of the Delta and Omicron variants suggests that Delta was an energetically necessary intermediary in the evolution from Wuhan-Hu-1 to Omicron. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:55:59Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-4982024b3ceb464bbe14ac9d3123c7a0 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2076-393X |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:55:59Z |
publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Vaccines |
spelling | doaj.art-4982024b3ceb464bbe14ac9d3123c7a02023-11-23T10:55:20ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2021-12-01912150910.3390/vaccines9121509Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its UpshotRobert Clark Penner0Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques, 35 Route des Chartres, 91440 Bures-sur-Yvette, FranceWe observe that a residue R of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 that has mutated in one or more of the current variants of concern or interest, or under monitoring, rarely participates in a backbone hydrogen bond if R lies in the S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mrow></mrow><mn>1</mn></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> subunit and usually participates in one if R lies in the S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msub><mrow></mrow><mn>2</mn></msub></semantics></math></inline-formula> subunit. A partial explanation for this based upon free energy is explored as a potentially general principle in the mutagenesis of viral glycoproteins. This observation could help target future vaccine cargos for the evolving coronavirus as well as more generally. A related study of the Delta and Omicron variants suggests that Delta was an energetically necessary intermediary in the evolution from Wuhan-Hu-1 to Omicron.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/12/1509SARS-CoV-2 spikemutagenic pressurebackbone free energyvaccinology |
spellingShingle | Robert Clark Penner Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its Upshot Vaccines SARS-CoV-2 spike mutagenic pressure backbone free energy vaccinology |
title | Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its Upshot |
title_full | Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its Upshot |
title_fullStr | Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its Upshot |
title_full_unstemmed | Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its Upshot |
title_short | Mutagenic Distinction between the Receptor-Binding and Fusion Subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Its Upshot |
title_sort | mutagenic distinction between the receptor binding and fusion subunits of the sars cov 2 spike glycoprotein and its upshot |
topic | SARS-CoV-2 spike mutagenic pressure backbone free energy vaccinology |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/12/1509 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT robertclarkpenner mutagenicdistinctionbetweenthereceptorbindingandfusionsubunitsofthesarscov2spikeglycoproteinanditsupshot |