Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission

Matthew Cotten; My V T Phan

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106230

Evolution of increased positive charge on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may be adaptation to human transmission

iScience. 2023 Mar 17;26(3):106230. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106230. Epub 2023 Feb 18.

Authors

Matthew Cotten^{1

2}, My V T Phan²

Affiliations

¹ Medical Research Council-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK.
² UK Medical Research Council-Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51- 59 Nakiwogo Road, P.O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda, UK.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to evolve and infect individuals. The exterior surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virion is dominated by the spike protein, and the current work examined spike protein biochemical features that have changed during the 3 years in which SARS-CoV-2 has infected humans. Our analysis identified a striking change in spike protein charge, from -8.3 in the original Lineage A and B viruses to -1.26 in most of the current Omicron viruses. We conclude that in addition to immune selection pressure, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has also altered viral spike protein biochemical properties, which may influence virion survival and promote transmission. Future vaccine and therapeutic development should also exploit and target these biochemical properties.

Keywords: Evolutionary biology; Virology.

Abstract

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