![]() ![]() The spike protein is a multi-domain protein that comprises of two subunits. In SARS-CoV-2, membrane (M) and the Envelope (E) protein are involved in virus budding, the spike glycoprotein (S) is responsible for successful ingress of the virus. While most are found to circulate and cause mild common cold-like symptoms, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were the only two coronaviruses of concern before SARS-CoV-2 was recognized. The presence of emerging variants/sub-variants was speculated to be the primary driver of the infection burden.Ī total of seven coronaviruses are known to infect humans. India underwent a surge of SARS-CoV-2 infections in early 2021 (second wave) and December 2021–January 2022 (third wave) and its threat still looms in India due to emergence of several sub-variants of omicron including the highly infectious BA.2.75. So far the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic has caused >0.5 billion infections and >5 million deaths worldwide ( SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have proven to be effective but the threat of a rapidly evolving new virus variants and sub-variants that acquires multiple sets of new mutations requires continuous monitoring. Taken together, our study provides novel structural insights into the implications of RBD mutations in alpha, delta and omicron and its sub-variants that were responsible for India’s SARS-CoV-2 surge. Our analysis explores the likely role of key alpha, delta and omicron mutations on binding with hACE-2. Further, computational analysis highlights the importance of electrostatic interactions in stabilizing RBD-hACE-2-binding, especially in the omicron variant. A comparison between alpha, delta and omicron variants/sub-variants reveals many omicron mutations in the hACE-2 binding site and several other mutations within 5 Å of this binding region. Structural visualization and analysis of important mutations of alpha, delta, Omicron and its sub-variants of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) was performed and our analysis clearly shows that mutations occur throughout the RBD, including the RBD surface responsible for human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE-2) receptor-binding. Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data database was used to collect the sequence information of ~10,000 SARS-CoV-2 patients from India and our sequence analysis identified three variants B.1.1.7 (alpha, α), B1.617.2 (delta, Δ), B.1.1.529 (Omicron, Oo) and one Omicron sub-variant BA.2.75 as the primary drivers for SARS-CoV-2 waves in India. WHO’s Van Kerkhove cautioned that, for BA.2.75, “there are very few sequences that are available,” and so our understanding of the Omicron offshoot is limited.India was severely affected by several waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred during April–June 2021 (second wave) and December 2021–January 2022 (third wave) and thereafter, resulting in >10 million new infections and a significant number of deaths. He presented a chart illustrating the stairstep nature of new variants’ rising growth capacity. Anthony Fauci in the White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing on Tuesday. “Over the last several months, we’ve seen each successive (Omicron) variant have a bit of a transmission advantage over the prior one,” said Dr. It also may have an advantage over BA.5 via increased immune escape. Tom Peacock, Virologist at Imperial College London cited “the divergent mutation profile, the wide geographical spread, and the rapidness that new sequences have emerged” as his chief concerns about BA.2.75. “But it does look like, especially in India, the rates of transmission are showing kind of that exponential increase.” “It’s still really early on for us to draw too many conclusions,” said Binnicker. The California cases were found in Bay Area wastewater samples from mid-June, reported the San Francisco Chronicle. States with sequenced BA.2.75 infections are California - with two cases - and one each in Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and Washington. Those include Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the U.S. ![]() Since it was first identified, the subvariant has been spotted in “about 14 countries,” according to WHO Covid-19 Technical Lead, Maria Van Kerkhove. ![]() Only one thing is sure… It Ain't Over Folks! /94Kj50OuNu Growth advantage of BA.2.75 vs BA.5* and BA.2.38* picked up some steam to 324% and 423% (over last 3 months) Los Angeles Set To Reach The CDC's "High" Covid Community Level In Next 48 Hours, Says Top Health Official - UpdateīA.2.75 ( #Centaurus) still didn't remove its foot from the gas pedal in India! ![]()
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