Sequence analysis of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron in South Africa
Sequence analysis of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron in South Africa
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DOI：
10.1002/jmv.27516
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发表时间：
2021-12-27
影响因子：
12.7
通讯作者：
Cheng, Genhong
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Wang, Lulan;Cheng, Genhong
尽管全球范围内都接种了疫苗，但随着SARS-CoV-2演变成多种变种，COVID-19大流行仍在继续。自2021年11月24日首次从南非的一名免疫功能低下患者中发现新型SARS-CoV-2变异体Omicron以来，该变异体已超过Delta成为南非的主要谱系，并迅速传播到40多个国家。在这里，我们通过分析大量的突变，特别是在刺突蛋白受体结合结构域的病毒感染性和宿主免疫的潜在影响，提供了一个初步的分子表征的Omicron变异。我们的分析表明，Omicron变体有两个亚支，可能是从分支20 B进化而来的，而不是目前占主导地位的Delta变体。此外，我们还确定了可能影响ACE 2受体和/或抗体结合的突变。我们的研究对这种新的Omicron变体的进化、传播、毒力和免疫逃逸特性提出了更多的问题。
Despite the worldwide vaccination, the COVID-19 pandemic continues as SARS-CoV-2 evolves into numerous variants. Since the first identification of the novel SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) Omicron on November 24th, 2021, from an immunocompromised patient in South Africa, the variant has overtaken Delta as the predominant lineage in South Africa and has quickly spread to over 40 countries. Here, we provide an initial molecular characterization of the Omicron variant through analyzing a large number of mutations, especially in the spike protein receptor-binding domain with their potential effects on viral infectivity and host immunity. Our analysis indicates that the Omicron variant has two subclades and may evolve from clade 20B instead of the currently dominant Delta variant. In addition, we have also identified mutations that may affect the ACE2 receptor and/or antibody bindings. Our study has raised additional questions on the evolution, transmission, virulence, and immune escape properties of this new Omicron variant.