4.1. Genetic alterations
Learn about SARS-CoV2 mutation rate and presenting escape mutant
variants is necessary. It has been shown that every SARS-CoV2 virion has
the potential to carry mutations but the speed is slow and the mutants
indicate similar sequences to their ancestors [27]. Abdullahi et al.
found that various SARS-CoV2 proteins, both structural and
non-structural, such as NSP (non-structural protein)2 and NSP3,
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and S protein are constantly undergoing
significant mutations. Their studies showed that these genetic changes
are more pronounced in S protein [28]. Also, Dorp et al, identified
198 sites in the whole genome of SARS-CoV2 with recurrent and
non-aligned mutations that 80% made non-synonymous amino acid
alterations at the translation level. These recurrent mutations with
more than 15 events were more protruding in the coding regions of the S,
NSP13, NSP6 and NSP11 proteins,
give the idea of being more affected during evolution with the novel
human host [29]. Therefore, attention to genetic alteration in
SARS-CoV2 structure plays an important role in providing superior
candidate antigens in the design of competent vaccine candidates or
other antiviral drugs.