SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) is in a rising trend of mutations increasing the positive electric charge in crucial regions of spike protein S.
Piotr H. Pawłowski
Abstract
An increase in the positive electric charge of SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) was reported and the electrostatic interaction between the spike protein S and ACE2 receptor was estimated. The results presented here suggest that electrogenic mutations in specific regions of the S protein and the electrostatic force may facilitate viral infection of the host cell.
Topics & Concepts
Spike ProteinElectrostaticsStatic electricityCharge (physics)MutationSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)ChemistryBiophysicsBiologyVirologyGeneticsPhysicsGeneMedicinePhysical chemistryDiseaseQuantum mechanicsPathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchMicrobial Inactivation MethodsRNA and protein synthesis mechanisms