Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission
Summary: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to evolve and infect individuals. The exterior surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virion is dominated by the spike protein, and the current work examined spike protein biochemical features that have changed during the 3 years...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-03-01
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| Series: | iScience |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223003073 |
| _version_ | 1811160195153264640 |
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| author | Matthew Cotten My V.T. Phan |
| author_facet | Matthew Cotten My V.T. Phan |
| author_sort | Matthew Cotten |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to evolve and infect individuals. The exterior surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virion is dominated by the spike protein, and the current work examined spike protein biochemical features that have changed during the 3 years in which SARS-CoV-2 has infected humans. Our analysis identified a striking change in spike protein charge, from −8.3 in the original Lineage A and B viruses to −1.26 in most of the current Omicron viruses. We conclude that in addition to immune selection pressure, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has also altered viral spike protein biochemical properties, which may influence virion survival and promote transmission. Future vaccine and therapeutic development should also exploit and target these biochemical properties. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:53:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f7170b22b25f450fb15d3b14f34f6da4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2589-0042 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:53:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | iScience |
| spelling | doaj.art-f7170b22b25f450fb15d3b14f34f6da42023-03-04T04:23:40ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422023-03-01263106230Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmissionMatthew Cotten0My V.T. Phan1Medical Research Council–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK; UK Medical Research Council–Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51- 59 Nakiwogo Road, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda, UK; Corresponding authorUK Medical Research Council–Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51- 59 Nakiwogo Road, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda, UKSummary: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to evolve and infect individuals. The exterior surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virion is dominated by the spike protein, and the current work examined spike protein biochemical features that have changed during the 3 years in which SARS-CoV-2 has infected humans. Our analysis identified a striking change in spike protein charge, from −8.3 in the original Lineage A and B viruses to −1.26 in most of the current Omicron viruses. We conclude that in addition to immune selection pressure, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has also altered viral spike protein biochemical properties, which may influence virion survival and promote transmission. Future vaccine and therapeutic development should also exploit and target these biochemical properties.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223003073Evolutionary biologyVirology |
| spellingShingle | Matthew Cotten My V.T. Phan Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission iScience Evolutionary biology Virology |
| title | Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission |
| title_full | Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission |
| title_fullStr | Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission |
| title_short | Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission |
| title_sort | evolution of increased positive charge on the sars cov 2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission |
| topic | Evolutionary biology Virology |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223003073 |
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