RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Paired SARS CoV-2 Spike Protein Mutations Observed During Ongoing SARS-CoV-2 Viral Transfer from Humans to Minks and Back to Humans
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2020.12.22.424003
DO 10.1101/2020.12.22.424003
A1 Scott Burkholz
A1 Suman Pokhrel
A1 Benjamin R. Kraemer
A1 Daria Mochly-Rosen
A1 Richard T. Carback III
A1 Tom Hodge
A1 Paul Harris
A1 Serban Ciotlos
A1 Lu Wang
A1 CV Herst
A1 Reid Rubsamen
YR 2020
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/12/29/2020.12.22.424003.abstract
AB A mutation analysis of a collection of SARS-CoV-2 genomes around the world via sequence, date, geographic location, and species has revealed a large number of variants from the initial reference sequence in Wuhan. It also reveals that humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 have infected mink populations in the Netherlands, Denmark, United States, and Canada. In these animals, a small set of mutations often in combination, in the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) has apparently transferred back into humans. The viral genomic mutations in minks observed in the Netherlands and Denmark show the potential for new mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD to be introduced into humans by zoonotic transfer. Our data suggests that close attention to viral transfer from humans to farm animals and pets will be required to prevent build-up of a viral reservoir for future zoonotic transfer.Competing Interest StatementReid Rubsamen, Scott Burkholz, Richard T. Carback III, Tom Hodge, Serban Ciotlos, Lu Wang, and CV Herst are employees of Flow Pharma, Inc., currently developing a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and all receiving cash and stock compensation. Paul Harris is a member of Flow Pharma's Scientific Advisory Board. Daria Mochly-Rosen, Suman Pokhrel, and Benjamin R. Kraemer have nothing to declare.