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SARS-COV-2 MUTATION

 

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

Mutation 

A mutation is a change in DNA sequence. It makes the change in structure arrangement or quality of DNA of the chromosomes. Mutation is derived from Latin word ‘muto’ which means change. It is simply termed as heritable change in genotype of an organism. 

Mutation in plant was studied by Hugo de vres 

Mutation in  dorsophila melanogaster was studied by Thomas Morgan 

There are many types of mutation but we are emphasizing in gene mutation 

Types of gene mutation 

Deletion

Insertion or addition 

Substitution 



Why is it mutating?


If we explain it In simple language then it can be told that it is mutating for adaptation. Most of the mutation are silent  and may not be differentiated. Mutation not  only causes viable effect but also enables the organism to withstand the environment. 



Mutation in SARS-COV-2 


COVID-19 is caused by SSRNA virus. As it is RNA virus it includes ( Adenine, Uracile, Guanine, Cytocin) as the complimentary nitrogen bases.Change in nitrogen bases can result in change in synthesis of protein. RNA virus is most likely to have mutation. Till this date we came to know about various strains of COVID-19. 103 SARS-COV-2 genome have been studied and around 70%  were of L strain and the original genome was found to be S strain. These strain have slightly difference ni their spike protein. 

Researchers at medical research council laboratory of molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK have published the first detailed analysis of the spike protein on the SARS-COV- 2 virus. It is found that spike protein helps the virus to enter the human cell by binding to ACE2 receptor.


D614G mutation 


This mutated strain of SARS-COV-2 virus is believed to be more infectious then the original one. Original D614 genotype was mutated to G614 genotype. This mutation was due to change in amino acid form D ( aspertic acid ) to G ( glycine) . Thus it was named as D614G mutation. It is said that it is ten times more infectious than the original one. 



Does it make any change in the production of vaccine


Vaccine and antibodies are made against the stable part of virus  therefore D614G is not in the receptor binding domain of spike protein . So Vaccine that are made are effective.



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