We observe that a residue R of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 that has mutated in one or more of the current variants of concern or interest, or under monitoring, rarely participates in a backbone hydrogen bond if R lies in the S 1 subunit and usually participates in one if R lies in the S 2 subunit. A partial explanation for this based upon free energy is explored as a potentially general principle in the mutagenesis of viral glycoproteins. This observation could help target future vaccine cargos for the evolving coronavirus as well as more generally. A related study of the Delta and Omicron variants suggests that Delta was an energetically necessary intermediary in the evolution from Wuhan-Hu-1 to Omicron.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2 spike, mutagenic pressure, backbone free energy, vaccinology, 【초록키워드】 Evolution, SARS-CoV-2, Vaccine, coronavirus, variant, spike glycoprotein, variants of concern, Delta, omicron, Hydrogen bond, Mutagenesis, observation, subunit, residue, help, backbone, viral glycoproteins, Wuhan-Hu-1, observé, mutated, 【제목키워드】 spike, fusion, the SARS-CoV-2,