BREAKING🔔 The 15th preprint from G2P-Japan🇯🇵 is out @biorxivpreprint. We illuminated the virological characteristics of one of the latest SARS-CoV-2 lineages of concern, XBB, which was generated by recombination of two #Omicron subvariants. Please RT. 1/ biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
In late 2022, the Omicron subvariants have highly diversified. An example is BQ.1.1, which has convergently acquired amino acid substitutions at five critical residues in the spike protein: R346T, K444T, L452R, N460K & F486V. We reported it as below⬇️ 2/
Another variant of concern is XBB (aka #gryphon). First, two young talents, @jampei2 & @SpyrosLytras, showed that XBB emerged by recombination of two co-circulating BA.2 lineages, BJ.1 & BM.1.1.1 (a progeny of BA.2.75), during 2022 summer in India or its neighboring countries. 3/
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/
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