Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Harboring Q677H
Cong Zeng, John P. Evans, Julia N. Faraone, Panke Qu, Yi-Min Zheng, Linda J. Saif, Eugene M. Oltz, Gerard Lozanski, Richard J. Gumina, Shan-Lu Liu
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, is rapidly evolving to be more transmissible and to evade acquired immunity. To date, most investigations of SARS-CoV-2 variants have focused on RBD mutations. However, the impact of non-RBD mutations and their synergy with studied RBD mutations are poorly understood. Here, we examine the role of the non-RBD Q677H mutation arising in many SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including VOCs. We demonstrate that the Q677H mutation enhances viral infectivity and confers neutralizing antibody resistance, particularly in the background of other SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.
Topics & Concepts
NeutralizationMutationInfectivityContext (archaeology)VirologySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)BiologyResistance mutationCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Immune escapeGeneticsVirusImmune systemGeneMedicinePolymerase chain reactionReverse transcriptaseDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)PathologyPaleontologySARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesSARS-CoV-2 detection and testing