Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 continues to infect millions of people worldwide. The subvariants arising from the variant-of-concern (VOC) Omicron include BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5. All possess multiple mutations in their Spike glycoprotein, notably in its immunogenic receptor-binding domain (RBD), and present enhanced viral transmission. The highly mutated Spike glycoproteins from these subvariants present different degrees of resistance to recognition and cross-neutralisation by plasma from previously infected and/or vaccinated individuals. We have recently shown that the temperature affects the interaction between the Spike and its receptor, the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The affinity of RBD for ACE2 is significantly increased at lower temperatures. However, whether this is also observed with the Spike of Omicron and sub-lineages is not known. Here we show that, similar to other variants, Spikes from Omicron sub-lineages bind better the ACE2 receptor at lower temperatures. Whether this translates into enhanced transmission during the fall and winter seasons remains to be determined.
Keywords: ACE2 affinity; BA.4; BA.5; COVID-19; Omicron; RBD; SARS-CoV-2; Spike glycoprotein; temperature; variant of concern.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, spike glycoprotein, omicron, RBD, temperature, Variant of concern., BA.4, BA.5, ACE2 affinity, 【초록키워드】 ACE2, spike, VoC, variant, ACE2 receptor, Transmission, plasma, Viral transmission, glycoprotein, receptor, Interaction, enzyme, other variants, domain, immunogenic, vaccinated individuals, infect, Affect, significantly increased, shown, include, arising, mutated, translate, the Spike, multiple mutation, 【제목키워드】 ACE2, spike, Human, influence,