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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.11.15.468283

Mutagenic distinction between the receptor-binding and fusion subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein

Penner, R. C.
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Abstract

We observe that a residue R of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 which has mutated in one or more of the current Variants of Concern or Interest or under Monitoring rarely participates in a backbone hydrogen bond if R lies in the S1 subunit and usually participates in one if R lies in the S2 subunit. A partial explanation for this based upon free energy is explored as a potentially general principle in the mutagenesis of viral glycoproteins. This observation could help target future vaccine cargos for the evolving coronavirus as well as more generally. A study of the Delta and Omicron variants suggests that Delta was an energetically necessary intermediary in the evolution from Wuhan-Hu-1 to Omicron.

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Penner, R. C.. 2021-11-15. Mutagenic distinction between the receptor-binding and fusion subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.15.468283

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