Research progress in site mutations of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants

VernacularTitle:新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株突变位点研究进展
Author: Gen MIAO ¹ ; Zhiwei HE ; Yibo CHEN ; Cuiling DING ; Hao REN ; Ping ZHAO ; Zhongtian QI
Author Information

1. 海军军医大学微生物学教研室，全军生物侦检与防护重点实验室，上海　200433
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Omicron variant; Structure; Site mutation; Immune escape
From: Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2023;43(3):173-181
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first discovered in South Africa in November 2021 and has since become a mainstream strain worldwide. Omicron variant was defined as the fifth "variant of concern (VOC)" by World Health Organization on November 26, 2021. This paper illustrates the mutation trends of Omicron variants in terms of SARS-CoV-2 genome and protein structure as well as nucleic acid site mutations and amino acid site mutations, describes the features of Omicron mutation sites in terms of lineage comparison among the VOCs and Omicron sublineages, and further highlights the influences of Omicron site mutations from the aspects of immune escape, virulence and transmission ability. Moreover, this paper also reviews the development of direct antiviral agents, antibodies and vaccines, aiming to provide reference for further investigation.