Evolutionary characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants adapted to the host
Haijun Tang, Yun Shao, Yi Huang, Shigang Qiao, Jianzhong An, Ruhong Yan, Xin Zhao, Fang Meng, Xiaohong Du, F. Xiao‐Feng Qin
Abstract
As the COVID-19 epidemic proceeds, new variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to emerge. 1 Particularly the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant emerged and spread globally, surpassing the previously dominant B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. Moreover, the original Omicron variant continued to mutate into numerous Omicron sublineages. Nonetheless, the infectious and immune characteristics of newly-emerged Omicron sublineages that have evolved to adapt to the host remain unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the infectivity, proteolytic activation, viral entry pathway, membrane fusion, and sensitivity to antibody neutralizing of the predominant Omicron sublineages.