Update on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant of Concern and Its Peculiar Mutational Profile

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02732-21
• Publication Date: 2022-03-30T13:01:25Z
• Authors: Mohammad Alkhatib; Romina Salpini; Luca Carioti; Francesca Alessan...; Stefano D’Anna; Leonardo Duca; Giosuè Costa; Maria Concetta Be...; Lorenzo Piermatteo; Anna Artese; Maria Mercedes Sa...; Stefano Alcaro; Valentina Svicher; Francesca Ceccher...
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Vaccines; 572; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; B.1.1.519; COVID-19; emerging variants; mutations; omicron; Microbiology; Spike Glycoprotein; Settore MED/07 - MICROBIOLOGIA E MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA; QR1-502; 3. Good health; Coronavirus; 03 medical and health sciences; Mutation; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Humans; variant of concern; Research Article

The Omicron variant of concern (VOC) has a peculiar spectrum of mutations characterized by the acquisition of mutations or deletions rarely detected in previously identified variants, particularly in the spike glycoprotein. Such mutations, mostly residing in the receptor-binding domain, could play a pivotal role in enhancing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectivity (by increasing binding affinity for ACE2), jeopardizing spike recognition by therapeutic and vaccine-induced antibodies and causing diagnostic assay failure.