tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
iScience
. 2023 Feb 18;106230.
doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106230. Online ahead of print.
Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission
Matthew Cotten[SUP] 1 [/SUP], My V T Phan[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
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 that 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 that may influence virion survival and promote transmission. Future vaccine and therapeutic development should also exploit and target these biochemical properties.
. 2023 Feb 18;106230.
doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106230. Online ahead of print.
Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission
Matthew Cotten[SUP] 1 [/SUP], My V T Phan[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 36845032
- PMCID: PMC9937996
- DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106230
Abstract
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 that 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 that may influence virion survival and promote transmission. Future vaccine and therapeutic development should also exploit and target these biochemical properties.