How Varied is SARS-Cov-2?

New research from the University of Bologna has revealed the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus could be less varied than initially thought, with researchers detecting just six unique strains. This is around half the number of variations seen in common influenza. While there is evidence of mutation, the low number of strains suggests the virus has little variability. This is positive news for the researchers attempting to develop a vaccine.

G strain dominates Europe

The latest sequencing study from the University of Bologna is the largest of its kind to date, with the team analysing data from 48,635 coronavirus genomes sourced from laboratories around the world. Currently, the most common strain of SARS-CoV-2 found in Europe is G, with the original L strain that first appeared in Wuhan in December 2019 almost non-existent.  

The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, with study coordinator Federico Giorgi saying the results are encouraging and suggest minimal variability. “The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is presumably already optimised to affect human beings, and this explains its low evolutionary change,” says Giorgi. “This means that the treatments we are developing, including a vaccine, might be effective against all the virus strains.”

Tracking mutation trends

Following the original L strain, the S strain was the first mutation to appear, recorded at the start of 2020. Since January, strains V, G, GR and GH have also appeared. Today, G and its related GR and GH variables are the most common strains in Europe, accounting for 74% of all SARS-CoV-2 gene sequences analysed in the study.

“They present four mutations, two of which are able to change the sequence of the RNA polymerase and Spike proteins of the virus. This characteristic probably facilitates the spread of the virus,” says Giorgi. The pattern is also present in North America, where the most common strain is GH.

Monitoring variations is “fundamental”

While mutations are low, Giorgi stresses it’s important to monitored variations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and continue to share data and information on an international scale. “Rare genomic mutations are less than 1% of all sequenced genomes," says Giorgi. “However, it is fundamental that we study and analyse them so that we can identify their function and monitor their spread. All countries should contribute to the cause by giving access to data about the virus genome sequences.”

From epidemiology to oncology, technology is at the heart of new drug developments. To find out more about the latest breakthroughs don’t miss ‘Rethinking oncological drug discovery with advances in analytical proteomics technology’ with insight from Aaron S. Gajadhar on behalf of Thermo Fisher Scientific (USA).