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    Home > Biochemistry News > Biotechnology News > JV: The mutation of the new coronavirus is predictable!

    JV: The mutation of the new coronavirus is predictable!

    • Last Update: 2021-07-31
    • Source: Internet
    • Author: User
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    The Nebraska research team compared the early evolution of SARS-CoV-2 with its closest relative, β-coronavirus, and found that the mutation of SARS-CoV-2 basically occurs in the same position in terms of genes and structure


    Researchers say that the mutational similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and its predecessors (including human-infected SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV) may help predict how the virus that causes the new coronavirus will continue to evolve


    Katherine LaTourrette, a PhD student in the Complex Biological Systems Project in Nebraska, said, “The problem with studying only one virus at a time is that you will be a blessing in disguise


    "This involves the following questions-will the vaccine be effective for a long time? Which variants will slip away quietly? Do we need a booster? Will people who have been vaccinated get infected a second time?"

    The genetic code of the virus determines its ability to infect cells and guide them to replicate themselves in large numbers


    But if there is enough chance, the virus will eventually undergo one or more mutations, these mutations will change its structural joints or amino acid assembly, enough to help it invade cells and replicate better-these advantages help it and other strains Competition


    When the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic broke out, LaTourrette and her consultant Hernan Garcia-Ruiz were busy comparing the mutation patterns of viruses that invaded another biological kingdom, plants


    "A lot of times, researchers study a specific plant virus," LaTourrette said


    "So when COVID-19 happened, we thought, we could download the (beta coronavirus) sequences, and then run them through a test tube to see where the mutation happened


    When they did this, LaTourrette and her colleagues discovered that the spike protein of the beta coronavirus critically enters the host cell by binding to a receptor on the surface.


    The researchers found that although this "hypervariable" spike protein only accounts for 17% of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, it has accumulated about 50% of viral mutations so far


    LaTourrette said: "All our analysis shows that this is indeed where the change happened


    Like the conclusions of other virologists, the team also concluded that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is disordered-when its amino acids are assembled into the same general structure, this structure has what LaTourrette said "Some leeway" can be transformed into a slightly different structure


    LaTourrette said: "The cell receptors may be slightly different from person to person


    "Basically, this area is highly variable, it is flexible


    LaTourrette said that these characteristics will continue to make SARS-CoV-2 a powerful enemy, and it will need to be vigilant to repel it for the foreseeable future
    .
    However, understanding its advantages and the evolutionary history of other β-coronaviruses can be used as a reasonable prediction of the future and help virologists and vaccinologists formulate corresponding strategies
    .

    With the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, vaccines may have to continue to target this unique spike protein, but looking at the mutation patterns of β-coronavirus can help researchers predict which domains of the protein are most and least likely to be mutated
    .
    This will make moving targets easier to hit
    .

    "If you close your eyes when throwing a dart, it can fly anywhere," she said
    .
    "But by observing other (beta coronavirus) species, you know where it might land
    .
    And you are more likely to hit the bullseye
    .
    "

    Although LaTourrette mainly studies the plant kingdom, she said that it has proved gratifying to be able to adapt her work to such an urgent purpose in the absence of experimental products
    .

    LaTourrette said: "For us, the transition from plants to coronavirus is a very positive way to show that you can use your science and knowledge and apply it to the benefit of society
    .
    In the past year and a half , We have seen some very good examples, they are all making such a transformation
    .

    "Although this is a very difficult time and there are many difficulties, I think it is very positive to see scientists get together and be able to contribute to a cause together
    .
    "

    Genome-Wide Variation in Betacoronaviruses

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