SAGNIK NAG, Amity University, Kolkata
SARS-CoV-2 is a type of RNA virus, which can develop mutations by three different ways: by making mistake from copying errors during viral replication, through interactions with other viruses infecting the same cell i.e. recombination, or they can be also induced by host RNA modification systems which are part of host immunity. Majority most of the mutations are neutral, while some or others can be a boon or can be detrimental to the virus. Both neutral and advantageous mutations can become random as they get passed down to descendant viruses.
None of the mutations that are documented in the SARS-CoV-2 virus has a chance to increase its transmissibility in humans, according to a current study led by University College London researchers. According to the first and corresponding author Dr. Lucy van Dorp, the number of SARS-CoV-2 genomes that have been generated for scientific research are staggering. They realized early on in the pandemic that the medical and research fraternity needs new approaches to analyze enormous amounts of data in close to real time to flag new mutations in the virus that could severely affect its transmission. The experimental analysis of viral genomes from over 48,000 people with COVID-19 from 98 countries is published by Nature Communications.
To test and to cross-verify their experimental results and if the mutations can increase transmission of the virus, the researchers modeled the virus’ evolutionary tree, and analyzed whether a particular mutation was becoming progressively random within the branch of the evolutionary tree — The researchers couldn’t find any evidence that any of the common mutations are capable of increasing the virus’ transmissibility. Instead, they experimentally found most common mutations are neutral for the virus. This constitutes one mutation in the viral spike protein- D614G, which is widely reported as being a common mutation that may make the virus more transmissible.
Also read: Ever wondered how the Rho protein really stops gene expression
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Much needed information….Thank you sagnik for such an amazing piece🙏🏻
Excellent work Sagnik! Keep up the good work!!😊
Excellent work Sagnik! Keep up the good work!!