Defective ORF8 dimerization in SARS-CoV-2 delta variant leads to a better adaptive immune response due to abrogation of ORF8-MHC1 interaction.

ABSTRACT: In India, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the breakthrough infections were mainly caused by the SARS-COV-2 delta variant (B.1.617.2). It was reported that, among majority of the infections due to the delta variant, only 9.8% percent cases required hospitalization, whereas only 0.4% fatality was observed. Sudden dropdown in COVID-19 infections cases were observed within a short timeframe, suggesting better host adaptation with evolved delta variant. Downregulation of host immune response against SARS-CoV-2 by ORF8 induced MHC-I degradation has been reported earlier. The Delta variant carried mutations (deletion) at Asp119 and Phe120 amino acids which are critical for ORF8 dimerization. The deletions of amino acids Asp119 and Phe120 in ORF8 of delta variant resulted in struc

SUBMITTER: Chaudhari AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8893242 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature