Host-specific asymmetric accumulation of mutation types reveals that the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is consistent with a natural process
Ke-Jia Shan, Changshuo Wei, Yu Wang, Qing Huan, Wenfeng Qian
Abstract
mutations will then strongly influence the types of base substitutions accumulated during SARS-CoV-2 evolution, in an asymmetric manner favoring specific mutation types. Consequently, similarities between the mutation spectra of SARS-CoV-2 and the bat coronavirus RaTG13, which have accumulated since their divergence strongly suggest that SARS-CoV-2 evolved in a host cellular environment highly similar to that of bats before its zoonotic transfer into humans. Collectively, our findings provide data-driven support for the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2.
Topics & Concepts
Natural (archaeology)MutationSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Host (biology)Mutation AccumulationProcess (computing)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)BiologyGeneticsComputer scienceGeneMutation rateMedicineDiseaseOperating systemPathologyPaleontologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiologyAnimal Virus Infections Studies