RBD Double Mutations of SARS-CoV-2 Strains Increase Transmissibility through Enhanced Interaction between RBD and ACE2 Receptor.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to catastrophic damage for global human health. The initial step of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the binding of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in its spike protein to the ACE2 receptor in the host cell membrane. Constant evolution of SARS-CoV-2 generates new mutations across its genome including the coding region for the RBD in the spike protein. In addition to the well-known single mutation in the RBD, the recent new mutation strains with an RBD "double mutation" are causing new outbreaks globally, as represented by the delta strain containing RBD L452R/T478K. Although it is considered that the increased transmissibility of double-mutated strains could be attributed to the altered interaction between the RBD and ACE2 receptor, the molecul

SUBMITTER: Sinha S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8781274 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature