AI Article Synopsis
- Omicron's rapid rise as the dominant COVID-19 variant is linked to its Spike protein mutations, enhancing both transmission and immune evasion.
- Researchers tested the effects of various Omicron Spike mutations, finding some reduced infectivity while others increased it.
- Many mutations in the Spike protein make it less sensitive to neutralization by vaccines and therapeutic antibodies, highlighting adaptations that contribute to Omicron's pandemic dominance.
Article Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron rapidly outcompeted other variants and currently dominates the COVID-19 pandemic. Its enhanced transmission and immune evasion are thought to be driven by numerous mutations in the Omicron Spike protein. Here, we systematically introduced BA.1 and/or BA.2 Omicron Spike mutations into the ancestral Spike protein and examined the impacts on Spike function, processing, and susceptibility to neutralization. Individual mutations of S371F/L, S375F, and T376A in the ACE2-receptor-binding domain as well as Q954H and N969K in the hinge region 1 impaired infectivity, while changes to G339D, D614G, N764K, and L981F moderately enhanced it. Most mutations in the N-terminal region and receptor-binding domain reduced the sensitivity of the Spike protein to neutralization by sera from individuals vaccinated with the BNT162b2 vaccine and by therapeutic antibodies. Our results represent a systematic functional analysis of Omicron Spike adaptations that have allowed this SARS-CoV-2 variant to dominate the current pandemic.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9289044 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2022.07.006 | DOI Listing |
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