Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity.



Volz, Erik, Hill, Verity, McCrone, John T, Price, Anna, Jorgensen, David, O'Toole, Áine, Southgate, Joel, Johnson, Robert, Jackson, Ben, Nascimento, Fabricia F
et al (show 22 more authors) (2021) Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity. Cell, 184 (1). 64-75.e11.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: COG-UK Consortium, Humans, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Amino Acid Substitution, Virulence, Mutation, Genome, Viral, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus, United Kingdom, Whole Genome Sequencing, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2020 11:20
Last Modified: 25 Aug 2023 22:17
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.11.020
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.11.020
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3108002