Photo from wikipedia
Significance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron contains extensive mutations and demonstrates enhanced transmission. We used virus-like particles to examine the assembly and neutralization of Omicron and found… Click to show full abstract
Significance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron contains extensive mutations and demonstrates enhanced transmission. We used virus-like particles to examine the assembly and neutralization of Omicron and found that Omicron and Delta showed ∼4.6-fold higher assembly and cell entry relative to the ancestral lineage. S and N protein mutations improved assembly and entry while E mutations inhibited assembly. Omicron also escapes neutralization from antisera of vaccinated or convalescent individuals by ∼15-fold. Boosting increased neutralization titers against Omicron and restored neutralization in all subjects compared to one out of eight before boosting. Our results suggest that the rapid spread of Omicron is due to more efficient assembly, cell entry, and escape from antibody neutralization from existing vaccines or previous infection
Journal Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Year Published: 2022
Link to full text (if available)
Share on Social Media: Sign Up to like & get
recommendations!