An updated analysis of variations in SARS-CoV-2 genome


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Ugurel O. M., ATA O., Turgut-Balik D.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, vol.44, no.3, pp.157-167, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 44 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.3906/biy-2005-111
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.157-167
  • Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, genomic diversity, codon bias, multiple sequence alignment, RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS, MULTIPLE SEQUENCE ALIGNMENT, SARS-CORONAVIRUS, CODON USAGE, FUNCTIONAL RECEPTOR, RNA, VIRUS, PROTEINS, MERS, RECOMBINATION
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

A novel pathogen, named SARS-CoV-2, has caused an unprecedented worldwide pandemic in the first half of 2020. As the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences have become available, one of the important focus of scientists has become tracking variations in the viral genome. In this study, 30366 SARS-CoV-2 isolate genomes were aligned using the software developed by our group (ODOTool) and 11 variations in SARS-CoV-2 genome over 10% of whole isolates were discussed. Results indicated that, frequency rates of these 11 variations change between 3.56%-88.44 % and these rates differ greatly depending on the continents they have been reported. Despite some variations being in low frequency rate in some continents, C14408T and A23403G variations on Nsp12 and S protein, respectively, observed to be the most prominent variations all over the world, in general, and both cause missense mutations. It is also notable that most of isolates carry C14408T and A23403 variations simultaneously and also nearly all isolates carrying the G25563T variation on ORF3a, also carry C14408T and A23403 variations, although their location distributions are not similar. All these data should be considered towards development of vaccine and antiviral treatment strategies as well as tracing diversity of virus in all over the world.