SARS-CoV-2 worldwide replication drives rapid rise and selection of mutations across the viral genome: a time-course study – potential challenge for vaccines and therapies

Weber S, Ramirez CM, Weiser B, Burger H, Doerfler W (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Embo Molecular Medicine Wiley-VCH Verlag / Wiley Open Access

DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114062

Abstract

Scientists and the public were alarmed at the first large viral variant of SARS-CoV-2 reported in December 2020. We have followed the time course of emerging viral mutants and variants during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in ten countries on four continents. We examined > 383,500 complete SARS-CoV-2 nucleotide sequences in GISAID (Global Initiative of Sharing All Influenza Data) with sampling dates extending until April 05, 2021. These sequences originated from ten different countries: United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, United States, India, Russia, France, Spain, Germany, and China. Among the 77 to 100 novel mutations, some previously reported mutations waned and some of them increased in prevalence over time. VUI2012/01 (B.1.1.7) and 501Y.V2 (B.1.351), the so-called UK and South Africa variants, respectively, and two variants from Brazil, 484K.V2, now called P.1 and P.2, increased in prevalence. Despite lockdowns, worldwide active replication in genetically and socio-economically diverse populations facilitated selection of new mutations. The data on mutant and variant SARS-CoV-2 strains provided here comprise a global resource for easy access to the myriad mutations and variants detected to date globally. Rapidly evolving new variant and mutant strains might give rise to escape variants, capable of limiting the efficacy of vaccines, therapies, and diagnostic tests.

Authors with CRIS profile

Stefanie Weber Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology

Involved external institutions

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) US United States (USA) (US) University of California Davis (UCDAVIS) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Weber, S., Ramirez, C.M., Weiser, B., Burger, H., & Doerfler, W. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 worldwide replication drives rapid rise and selection of mutations across the viral genome: a time-course study – potential challenge for vaccines and therapies. Embo Molecular Medicine. https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.202114062

MLA:

Weber, Stefanie, et al. "SARS-CoV-2 worldwide replication drives rapid rise and selection of mutations across the viral genome: a time-course study – potential challenge for vaccines and therapies." Embo Molecular Medicine (2021).

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