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Review
. 2022 Feb 22:9:815389.
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.815389. eCollection 2022.

SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and Their Impact on Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Vaccines

Suresh Thakur  1 , Shalitha Sasi  2 , Sindhu Gopinathan Pillai  3 , Ayantika Nag  4 , Dhananjay Shukla  5 , Ritu Singhal  6 , Sameer Phalke  1 , G S K Velu  1
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and Their Impact on Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Vaccines

Suresh Thakur et al. Front Med (Lausanne). .

Abstract

With the high rate of COVID-19 infections worldwide, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants was inevitable. Several mutations have been identified in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, with the spike protein as one of the mutational hot spots. Specific amino acid substitutions such as D614G and N501Y were found to alter the transmissibility and virulence of the virus. The WHO has classified the variants identified with fitness-enhancing mutations as variants of concern (VOC), variants of interest (VOI) or variants under monitoring (VUM). The VOCs pose an imminent threat as they exhibit higher transmissibility, disease severity and ability to evade vaccine-induced and natural immunity. Here we review the mutational landscape on the SARS-CoV-2 structural and non-structural proteins and their impact on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. We also look at the effectiveness of approved vaccines, antibody therapy and convalescent plasma on the currently prevalent VOCs, which are B.1.17, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529. We further discuss the possible factors influencing mutation rates and future directions.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; diagnostics; mutations; omicron; spike protein; vaccine; variants of concern.

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Conflict of interest statement

SS was employed as contract scientific writer by the company Blue Horizon International Therapeutic Sciences, USA. AN was employed by MP Advisors. ST, SPh, and GV are from Trivitron Healthcare Pvt., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The VOCs and their impact.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Factors that can contribute to further mutations in SARS-CoV-2. The emergence of any immune-escape variants can change the course of the pandemic.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Active measures against the evolving SARS-CoV-2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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