BREAKING🔔 The 14th preprint from G2P-Japan🇯🇵 is out @biorxivpreprint. We illuminated the evolutionary rule underlying the convergent evolution of #Omicron and the virological characteristics of one of the latest lineages of concern, BQ.1.1. Please RT. 1/ biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
In late 2022, the Omicron subvariants have highly diversified. However, some lineages have convergently acquired amino acid substitutions at five critical residues in the spike protein: R346, K444, L452, N460 and F486. 2/
Here, we, particularly two shining young talents, @jampei2 & @SpyrosLytras, performed phylogenetic and epidemic dynamics analyses and showed that Omicron subvariants independently increased their viral fitness by acquiring the convergent substitutions. 4/
All five convergent substitutions (R346T, K444T, L452R, N460K & F486V) contributed to increasing relative basic reproduction number (Re) (left), and BQ.1.1, which harbors all five convergent substitutions, showed the highest fitness among the viruses investigated (right). 5/
Neutralization assay showed that BQ.1.1 is more resistant to breakthrough BA.2/5 infection sera than BA.5. 6/
We have shown lines of data suggesting the close association of viral fusogenicity and intrinsic pathogenicity. For instance, both BA.5 (the link is shown below⬇️) and BA.2.75, descendants of BA.2, are more fusogenic and pathogenic than parental BA.2. 7/
Notably, the BQ.1.1 spike exhibited greater fusogenicity than the BA.5 spike, suggesting that BQ.1.1 is more pathogenic than BA.5. 8/
However, unexpectedly, experiments using hamsters showed that the pathogenicity of BQ.1.1 in hamsters is comparable to or even lower than that of BA.5.
Our multiscale investigations provide insights into the evolutionary trajectory of Omicron subvariants. 9/9
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BREAKING🔔 The 15th paper from G2P-Japan🇯🇵 is out at iScience @iScience_CP. We revealed that the virological features of #Omicron BA.1 variant are determined by the spike #S375F mutation. Please RT. 1/6 cell.com/iscience/fullt…
We have demonstrated that the Omicron BA.1 spike exhibits 1) decreased efficiency of spike cleavage and 2) attenuated fusogenicity:
Cf. The 5th paper from G2P-Japan🇯🇵↓ nature.com/articles/s4158…
However, it remained unclear which mutation(s) determine these BA.1’s features. 2/6
1️⃣Our comprehensive screening experiments revealed that these BA.1's features are determined by its receptor binding domain and particularly, only #S375F mutation is responsible. 3/6
BREAKING🔔 The 14th paper from G2P-Japan🇯🇵 is out at Cell Host & Microbe @cellhostmicrobe. #Omicron BA.2.75 (aka #Centaurus) seems to be more contagious than BA.5 and more pathogenic than the original BA.2. Please RT. 1/16 cell.com/cell-host-micr…
BA.2.75, emerged in India🇮🇳, is classified as VOC-LUM (variant of concern linage under monitoring) by WHO on July 7. Here we elucidated the transmissibility, sensitivity to antiviral immunity & drugs, and intrinsic pathogenicity of BA.2.75. 2/16 who.int/activities/tra…
BA.2.75 is a descendant of BA.2. However, BA.2.75 is phylogenetically different from BA.5, the currently predominant BA.2 descendant. BA.2.75 spike bears nine substitutions, but only a substitution is shared with BA.5 spike. 3/16
これまでに見られなかった変異の出現や世界各国での検出を受けて、WHOは7月7日に、BA.2.75株を「懸念される変異株(VOC)における監視下の系統(VOC-LUM; variant of concern linages under monitoring)」に分類し、注視しています。3/18 who.int/activities/tra…
BREAKING🔔 The 10th paper from G2P-Japan🇯🇵 is out at Cell @CellCellPress . #Omicron BA.5 variant is more contagious and pathogenic than BA.2 variant. Please RT. 1/8 cell.com/cell/fulltext/…
Recently, Omicron BA.2 subvariants that bear additional substitutions in the spike proteins emerged and started outcompeting original BA.2 - e.g., BA.2.12.1 (+L452Q/S704L) in US🇺🇸 and BA.4 & BA.5 (+L452R/HV69-70del/F486V/R493Q) in South Africa🇿🇦. 2/8
1⃣ Statistical analysis shows that the effective reproduction numbers of BA.2.12.1, BA.4 & BA.5 are ~1.2-fold higher than that of BA.2. 3/8