Change in binding affinity with ACE2 receptor in beta, delta and omicron SARS CoV2 variants

COVID-19 is still an important public health problem. After a pandemic, there is already new emerging mutant type of COVID-19. Starting from mutant with few mutations, the new mutant types with several mutations occur. Omicron variant is the new variant of concern that starts outbreak from Africa and might be the new problem worldwide.

Pathogenesis may change as a result of molecular changes. An important possible effect of mutation is a change in binding affinity with receptor. Here, the authors performed a study to assess the effect of mutations of ACE2 receptor binding affinity in important COVID-19 variants, beta, delta and omicron variants.

According to the analysis, change of binding affinity to receptor in each studied mutated variant comparing to classical wild type SARS CoV2 is observed.

This exploratory research on changes in ACE2 receptor binding affinity revealed that changes do occur and may contribute to the pathophysiology. The omicron variation has a greater degree of alteration than the well-known significant variants, beta and delta. Rapid spread due to simpler transmission is envisaged as a result of affinity modification. Nevertheless, the authors only examined the affinity with bioinformatics analysis. It is different from experimental analysis, therefore, it may not real and further studies are required for confirmation.