Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Variant NSP6 on Pathogenicity: Genetic Analysis and Cell Biology.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein (NSP) 6 is one of the factors affecting viral pathogenicity. Mutations in NSP6 continuously emerge during viral transmission and are closely associated with alterations in viral pathogenicity. This study investigated the structural and functional impacts of NSP6 mutations by analyzing NSP6 proteins from the Wuhan-Hu-1/B (WT) strain and predominant variants Alpha, XBB.1.16, BA.2.86, and JN.1 using bioinformatics, transcriptomics, and cellular experiments. The results demonstrate that the V3593F mutation decreased the β-sheet proportion and modified hydrogen bonding patterns, while the L3829F mutation enhanced structural stability by promoting random coils. The R3821K substitution exposed lysine residues, potentially enhancing molecular interactions. Combined

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12109688 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature