SARS-CoV-2 one year on: evidence for ongoing viral adaptation

Peacock, Thomas P, Penrice-Randal, Rebekah ORCID: 0000-0002-0653-2097, Hiscox, Julian A ORCID: 0000-0002-6582-0275 and Barclay, Wendy S (2021) SARS-CoV-2 one year on: evidence for ongoing viral adaptation. JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY, 102 (4). 001584-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001584

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is thought to have originated in the human population from a zoonotic spillover event. Infection in humans results in a variety of outcomes ranging from asymptomatic cases to the disease COVID-19, which can have significant morbidity and mortality, with over two million confirmed deaths worldwide as of January 2021. Over a year into the pandemic, sequencing analysis has shown that variants of SARS-CoV-2 are being selected as the virus continues to circulate widely within the human population. The predominant drivers of genetic variation within SARS-CoV-2 are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) caused by polymerase error, potential host factor driven RNA modification, and insertion/deletions (indels) resulting from the discontinuous nature of viral RNA synthesis. While many mutations represent neutral 'genetic drift' or have quickly died out, a subset may be affecting viral traits such as transmissibility, pathogenicity, host range, and antigenicity of the virus. In this review, we summarise the current extent of genetic change in SARS-CoV-2, particularly recently emerging variants of concern, and consider the phenotypic consequences of this viral evolution that may impact the future trajectory of the pandemic.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, coronavirus, mutant, adaptation, pandemic
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2021 14:50
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2024 04:01
DOI:	10.1099/jgv.0.001584
Open Access URL:	https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journ...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3125588