Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2: The Dominant Role of Arginine in Mutations and Infectivity.

ABSTRACT: Background, Aims, Methods, Results, Conclusions: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global challenge due to its ability to mutate into variants that spread more rapidly than the wild-type virus. The molecular biology of this virus has been extensively studied and computational methods applied are an example paradigm for novel antiviral drug therapies. The rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population is driven, in part, by mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S-) protein, some of which enable tighter binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2). More stable RBD-ACE2 association is coupled with accelerated hydrolysis by proteases, such as furin, trypsin, and the Transmembrane Serine Protease

SUBMITTER: Ridgway H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9963001 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature