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Perspectives: SARS-CoV-2 Spike Convergent Evolution as a Guide to Explore Adaptive Advantage.
Jiri Zahradník1, Jaroslav Nunvar2,3, Gideon Schreiber1
1Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|June 17, 2022
Summary
Convergent evolution in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein shows key mutations conferring adaptive advantages. Research should now focus on the broader mutation landscape for future viral evolution.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- SARS-CoV-2 has undergone rapid evolution, with millions of sequenced genomes revealing extensive mutation.
- Understanding viral evolution, particularly convergent evolution, is crucial for tracking and managing pandemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emergence of identical mutations in independent SARS-CoV-2 lineages.
- To assess the extent of convergent evolution at the molecular level within the spike (S) protein.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomic data up to March 2022.
- Identification of mutations that arose independently multiple times in parallel lineages.
- Mapping of convergent mutations to functional domains within the S protein.
Main Results:
- 31 mutations evolved independently at least three times before mid-2021, including key mutations in variants of concern.
- Convergent mutations predominantly cluster in the N-terminal domain, receptor-binding domain, and Furin cleavage site of the S protein.
- All single-nucleotide-change-accessible amino acids in the S protein were probed by early 2021; double-nucleotide changes are increasing.
Conclusions:
- Convergent evolution highlights mutations with significant adaptive advantages for SARS-CoV-2.
- The spike protein's functional domains are hotspots for adaptive mutations.
- The virus is exploring a vast mutation landscape, necessitating focus on future evolutionary trajectories.
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