Olabode E Omotoso1, Ayoade D Babalola1, Amira Matareek2. 1. Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since outbreak in December 2019, the highly infectious and pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over a million deaths globally. With increasing burden, the novel coronavirus has posed a dire threat to public health, social interaction, and global economy. Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome are moderately evolving which might have contributed to its genome variability, transmission, replication efficiency, and virulence in different regions of the world. RESULTS: The present study elucidated the mutational landscape in the SARS-CoV-2 genome among the African populace, which may have contributed to the virulence, spread, and pathogenicity observed in the region. A total of 3045 SARS-CoV-2 complete protein sequences with the reference viral sequence (EPI_ISL_402124) were mined and analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab, spike, ORF3, ORF8, and nucleocapsid proteins were observed as mutational hotspots in the African population and may be of keen interest in understanding the viral host relationship, while there is conservation in the ORF6, ORF7a, ORF7b, ORF10, envelope, and membrane proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The accumulation of moderate mutations (though slowly), in the SARS-CoV-2 genome as seen in this present study, could be a promising strategy to develop antiviral drugs or vaccines. These antiviral interventions should target viral conserved domains and host cellular proteins and/or receptors involved in viral invasion and replication to avoid a new viral wave due to drug resistance and vaccine evasion. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43088-021-00102-1.
BACKGROUND: Since outbreak in December 2019, the highly infectious and pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over a million deaths globally. With increasing burden, the novel coronavirus has posed a dire threat to public health, social interaction, and global economy. Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome are moderately evolving which might have contributed to its genome variability, transmission, replication efficiency, and virulence in different regions of the world. RESULTS: The present study elucidated the mutational landscape in the SARS-CoV-2 genome among the African populace, which may have contributed to the virulence, spread, and pathogenicity observed in the region. A total of 3045 SARS-CoV-2 complete protein sequences with the reference viral sequence (EPI_ISL_402124) were mined and analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab, spike, ORF3, ORF8, and nucleocapsid proteins were observed as mutational hotspots in the African population and may be of keen interest in understanding the viral host relationship, while there is conservation in the ORF6, ORF7a, ORF7b, ORF10, envelope, and membrane proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The accumulation of moderate mutations (though slowly), in the SARS-CoV-2 genome as seen in this present study, could be a promising strategy to develop antiviral drugs or vaccines. These antiviral interventions should target viral conserved domains and host cellular proteins and/or receptors involved in viral invasion and replication to avoid a new viral wave due to drug resistance and vaccine evasion. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43088-021-00102-1.
Authors: Bette Korber; Will M Fischer; Sandrasegaram Gnanakaran; Hyejin Yoon; James Theiler; Werner Abfalterer; Nick Hengartner; Elena E Giorgi; Tanmoy Bhattacharya; Brian Foley; Kathryn M Hastie; Matthew D Parker; David G Partridge; Cariad M Evans; Timothy M Freeman; Thushan I de Silva; Charlene McDanal; Lautaro G Perez; Haili Tang; Alex Moon-Walker; Sean P Whelan; Celia C LaBranche; Erica O Saphire; David C Montefiori Journal: Cell Date: 2020-07-03 Impact factor: 66.850
Authors: Ning Zhao; Nan Zhou; Huafeng Fan; Jie Ding; Xingyu Xu; Xiaoqing Dong; Xiaoxiao Dong; Dandan Xu; Xiaoyu Min; Yan Yu; Hongjin Gong; Lingfeng Mao; Min He Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2022-03-17 Impact factor: 5.640