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Non-Uniform Aspects of SARS-CoV-2 Intraspecies Evolution Reopen Questions on Its Origin (preprint)
preprints.org; 2021.
Preprint
in English
| PREPRINT-PREPRINTS.ORG | ID: ppzbmed-10.20944.preprints202106.0472.v1
ABSTRACT
Several hypotheses have been presented on the origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from its identification as the agent causing the current coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. So far, no hypothesis has managed to identify the origin, and the issue has resurfaced. Here we have unfolded a pattern of distribution of several mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 proteins across different continents comprising 24 geo-locations. The results showed an evenly uneven distribution of unique protein variants, distinct mutations, unique frequency of common conserved residues, and mutational residues across the 24 geo-locations. Furthermore, ample mutations were identified in the evolutionarily conserved invariant regions in the SARS-CoV-2 proteins across almost all geo-locations we have considered. This pattern of mutations potentially breaches the law of evolutionary conserved functional units of the beta-coronavirus genus. These mutations may lead to several novel SARS-CoV-2 variants with a high degree of transmissibility and virulence. A thorough investigation on the origin and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 needs to be conducted in the interest of science and to be prepared to meet the challenges of potential future pandemics.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
PREPRINT-PREPRINTS.ORG
Main subject:
Coronavirus Infections
/
COVID-19
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Preprint
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