Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 viral genome mutates incessantly as it spreads in the world and the gene for the Spike (S) protein, critical for viral transmission into humans, is no exception. Analysis of 4,517 variants isolated from humans identified regions with few mutations, thus pinpointing important functional and structural sites in the S protein. This information can guide the development of effective prophylactic agents to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Copyright
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY-ND 4.0 International license.
Posted January 06, 2021.
Natural variants in SARS-CoV-2 S protein pinpoint structural and functional hotspots; implications for prophylaxis strategies
