Impact of Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Mutant G614 on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Iran J Kidney Dis. 2020 Sep;14(5):331-334.

Abstract

Coronavirus family has caused several human illnesses, the latest caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to COVID-19 pandemic posing serious threat to global health. A SARS-CoV-2 variant encoding a D614G mutation in the viral spike (S) protein has now become the most prevalent form of the virus worldwide, suggesting a fitness advantage for the mutant. The G614 variant is associated with higher upper respiratory tract viral load, higher infectivity, increased total S protein incorporation into the virion, reduced S1 shedding and a conformational change leading to a more ACE2- binding and fusion- competent state. However, it does not seem to be correlated to increased disease severity or escape neutralizing antibodies.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Coronavirus Infections*
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Pandemics*
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A*
  • Pneumonia, Viral*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Water-Electrolyte Balance*

Substances

  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A