Functional Analysis of Spike from SARS-CoV-2 Variants Reveals the Role of Distinct Mutations in Neutralization Potential and Viral Infectivity.

ABSTRACT: Enhanced viral transmission and escape from vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies drive worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants and promote disease progression. However, the impact of specific spike mutations that are carried by different viral variants on viral infectivity and neutralization sensitivity has not been completely defined. Here, we use pseudoviruses to assess the contribution of spike mutations within the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and the Furin Cleavage Site (FCS), and appear in circulating viral variants, on viral infectivity and neutralization potential against sera that was drawn from fully vaccinated individuals. Our functional analysis demonstrates that single, P681H, P681R or A701V-FCS mutations do not play a role in viral infectivity and neutralization potential

SUBMITTER: Kuzmina A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9030214 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature