Using In Silico Bioinformatics Algorithms for the Accurate Prediction of the Impact of Spike Protein Mutations on the Pathogenicity, Stability, and Functionality of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus and Analysis of Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We have used bioinformatics to investigate seventeen mutations in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, as this mediates infection of human cells and is the target of most vaccine strategies and antibody-based therapies. Two mutations, H146Y and S221W, were identified as being most pathogenic.