Update on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant of Concern and Its Peculiar Mutational Profile
Mohammad Alkhatib, Romina Salpini, Luca Carioti, Francesca Alessandra Ambrosio, Stefano D’Anna, Leonardo Duca, Giosuè Costa, Maria Concetta Bellocchi, Lorenzo Piermatteo, Anna Artese, Maria Mercedes Santoro, Stefano Alcaro, Valentina Svicher, Francesca Ceccherini‐Silberstein
Abstract
The Omicron variant of concern (VOC) has a peculiar spectrum of mutations characterized by the acquisition of mutations or deletions rarely detected in previously identified variants, particularly in the spike glycoprotein. Such mutations, mostly residing in the receptor-binding domain, could play a pivotal role in enhancing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectivity (by increasing binding affinity for ACE2), jeopardizing spike recognition by therapeutic and vaccine-induced antibodies and causing diagnostic assay failure. To our knowledge, this is one of the first exhaustive descriptions of newly emerged mutations underlying the Omicron VOC and its biological and clinical implications.