Previous studies of increased transmission and other virological properties of SARS-CoV-2 variants focus almost exclusively on the Spike (S) protein. FIGURE 2: Schematic representation of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles alongside a SARS-CoV-2 virus. As they did for mutations in S protein, the authors generated SC2-VLPs which encoded major N protein mutations found in many naturally-occurring SARS-CoV-2 variants. Infecting A549-ACE2 cells with wild-type virus, virus with S202R, and virus with R203M, they measured the RNA content and compared. ACCESS Health InternationalConclusionA single point mutation in the N protein can increase the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by 50-fold.

Source: Forbes November 09, 2021 19:10 UTC