SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Mutations

In January 2021, scientists reported in a preprint that the mutation 'P681H', a characteristic feature of the significant novel SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the U.K. and Nigeria.

A highly flexible region in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, starting from residue 475 and continuing up to residue 485, was identified using bioinformatics and statistical methods in several studies.

Variants with N501Y include P.1 (Brazil/Japan), Variant of Concern 202012/01 (UK), 501.V2 (South Africa), and COH.20G/501Y (Columbus, Ohio).

The name of the mutation, E484K, refers to an exchange whereby the glutamic acid (E) is replaced by lysine (K) at position 484. E484K has been reported to be an escape mutation.

D614G is a missense mutation that affects the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. In July 2020, it was reported that the more infectious D614G SARS-CoV-2 variant had become the dominant form in the pandemic.

Lineage P.1, also known as 20J/501Y.V3, Variant of Concern 202101/02 (VOC-202101/02) or colloquially known as the Brazil(ian) variant, is one of the variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been named P.1 lineage .

B.1.525, also called VUI-202102/03 by Public Health England (PHE) and formerly known as UK1188, does not carry the same N501Y mutation found in B.1.1.7, 501.V2 variant and P.1, but carry the same E484K-mutation as found in the P.1, P.2 and 501.V2 variant.

CAL.20C, also known as lineage B.1.429, is defined by five distinct mutations. CAL.20C is possibly more transmissible, but further study is necessary to confirm this. It was first observed in July 2020 by researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, California.

The 501Y.V2 variant, also known as 20H/501Y.V2 (formerly 20C/501Y.V2), B.1.351 lineage, and South African COVID-19 variant, is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. One of several SARS-CoV-2 variants believed to be of importance.

Lineage B.1.1.7, also known as 20I/501Y.V1, Variant of Concern 202012/01 (VOC-202012/01) or commonly as the UK variant or British variant, is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

First sequenced in August 2020 in Nigeria, the implications for transmission and virulence are unclear but it has been listed as an emerging variant by the US Centers for Disease Control.

In early November 2020, Cluster 5, also referred to as ΔFVI-spike by the Danish State Serum Institute (SSI), was discovered in Northern Jutland, Denmark, and is believed to have been spread from minks to humans via mink farms.