SARS-CoV-2 with transcription regulatory sequence motif mutation poses a greater threat.
10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.03.12
- Author:
Jin Long BEI
1
;
Guo Feng XU
2
;
Jia CHANG
2
;
Xin Yu WANG
3
;
Dong An QIU
4
;
Ji Shou RUAN
3
;
Xin LI
2
;
Shan GAO
2
Author Information
1. Agro-Biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510275, China.
2. College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
3. School of Mathematical Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
4. John Van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, United Kingdom.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Delta variant;
NSP15 cleavage site;
SARS-CoV-2;
pandemics;
super-attenuated variant
- MeSH:
COVID-19/virology*;
Genome, Viral;
Humans;
Mutation;
SARS-CoV-2/genetics*
- From:
Journal of Southern Medical University
2022;42(3):399-404
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To analyze the mutations in transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) of coronaviruss (CoV) to provide the basis for exploring the patterns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and outbreak.
METHODS:A combined evolutionary and molecular functional analysis of all sets of publicly available genomic data of viruses was performed.
RESULTS:A leader transcription regulatory sequence (TRS-L) usually comprises the first 60-70 nts of the 5' UTR in a CoV genome, and the body transcription regulatory sequences (TRS-Bs) are located immediately upstream of the genes other than ORF1a and 1b. In each CoV genome, the TRS-L and TRS-Bs share a specific consensus sequence, namely the TRS motif. Any changes of nucleotide residues in the TRS motifs are defined as TRS motif mutations. Mutations in the TRS-L or multiple TRS-Bs result in superattenuated variants. The spread of super-attenuated variants may cause an increase in asymptomatic or mild infections, prolonged incubation periods and a decreased detection rate of the viruses, thus posing new challenges to SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control. The super-attenuated variants also increase their possibility of long-term coexistence with humans. The Delta variant is significantly different from all the previous variants and may lead to a large-scale transmission. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) with TRS motif mutation has already appeared and shown signs of spreading in Singapore, which, and even the Southeast Asia, may become the new epicenter of the next wave of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.
CONCLUSION:TRS motif mutation will occur in all variants of SARS-CoV-2 and may result in super-attenuated variants. Only super-attenuated variants with TRS motif mutations will eventually lose the abilities of cross-species transmission and causing outbreaks.
