Sars-Cov-2, the official name of the virus that causes the disease Covid-19, and continues to blaze a path of destruction across the globe, is mutating.
But, while scientists have spotted thousands of mutations, or changes to the virus's genetic material, only one has so far been singled out as possibly altering its behavior.
This coronavirus is actually changing very slowly compared with a virus-like flu. With relatively low levels of natural immunity in the population, no vaccine and few effective treatments, there's no pressure on it to adapt. So far, it's doing a good job of keeping itself in circulation as it is.
The notable mutation - named D614G and situated within the protein making up the virus's "spike" it uses to break into our cells - appeared sometime after the initial Wuhan outbreak, probably in Italy. It is now seen in as many as 97% of samples around the world.
18 July, BBC
Thanks for your kind sharing dear Mahmoud Elkazzaz
and yes, it's a major concern in vaccine development. I am not sure it's mutated from of SARS-CoV-1 but it shows mutation after the origin in Wuhan, China.
Yes. This is the tough times of world to handle and control corona virus in mutation.
Think so dear Nelaturi V Raghavaiah and the only hope is that it's changing very slowly.
We have already seen so many cases of reinfections and it tells us the story of less immunity or short immunity in those cases. And the mutation is a continuous process in its life cycle. The crucial questions about this mutation are: does this make the virus more infectious - or lethal - in humans? And could it pose a threat to the success of a future vaccine?
18 July, BBC
The G28221T substitutes a stop codon for glutamic acid, so that the C-terminal of ORF8 is truncated by the deletion of a 36-nucleotide long segment. In essence, this corresponds to the cleaving off of the fourth beta-strand in this region, probably disrupting the function of the protein. Interestingly, earlier researchers reported the effect of a 29-nucleotide stretch in the SARS-CoV-1, which was the most apparent mutation in the early phase of its spread among humans.
Importantly, this 29-nucleotide deletion led to a 23-fold reduction in viral replication, indicating its attenuating effect on the virus. This may help explain why the Indian strains seem to be less virulent compared to others and may indicate that this strain should be studied for its potential in vaccine development.
Thanks for your sharing dear Nirmal Mohakud and USA says new strain is more infectious but less fatal for them too.
Yes, it brings more challenges to the development of antiviral vaccines.
The pandemic is still beyond control. JHU recorded the first case of coronavirus in the United States on January 21:
- It took the country 99 days to reach 1 million cases on April 28.
- It then took 43 more days to reach 2 million cases on June 10.
- It took another 28 days to surpass 3 million cases on July 8.
- It has taken the United States only 15 additional days to surpass 4 million cases.
The US is the global leader in Covid-19 cases, followed by Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa.
More than 68,000 new coronavirus cases in the US in 24 hours and India reports 49,000 new coronavirus cases in past 24 hours. Japan records highest daily infection rate since the beginning of the outbreak. 24 July, CNN
I agree that the pandemic is still beyond control. There are regions achieving peak and some are still on the upslope. But, doesn't this slow rate of mutation make it easier to make a vaccine. I agree antibody response is also a question, but still it gives hope for a vaccine soon
The press is now reporting a mutation in the coronavirus responsible for Covid-19 the mutation, VUI-202012/01, may be up to 70% more transmissible.
The mutation is seen on the protein spike that is associated with the mechanism by which the virus infects host cells. The D614G mutation is associated with enhanced infectivity.
Is this an indication that the virus is evolving to cope with the lockdowns and other social control measures designed to combat it? Viruses evolve thousands of times faster than eukaryotic life forms such as mammals and it is to be expected that where transmission and infection are made more difficult that the more infective strains will become more prevalent.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Names