Open AccessNeutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Harboring Q677H
Author(s) -
Cong Zeng,
John P. Evans,
Julia N. Faraone,
Panke Qu,
Yi-Min Zheng,
Linda J. Saif,
Eugene M. Oltz,
Gerard Lozanski,
Richard J. Gumina
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
mbio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.562
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 2161-2129
pISSN - 2150-7511
DOI - 10.1128/mbio.02510-21
Subject(s) - neutralization , mutation , infectivity , context (archaeology) , virology , covid-19 , biology , resistance mutation , immune escape , genetics , virus , immune system , gene , medicine , polymerase chain reaction , reverse transcriptase , paleontology , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) to neutralizing antibodies has largely been studied in the context of key receptor binding domain (RBD) mutations, including E484K and N501Y. Little is known about the epistatic effects of combined SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations. We now investigate the neutralization sensitivity of variants containing the non-RBD mutation Q677H, including B.1.525 (Nigerian isolate) and Bluebird (U.S. isolate) variants. The effect on neutralization of Q677H was determined in the context of the RBD mutations and in the background of major VOCs, including B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom, Alpha), B.1.351 (South Africa, Beta), and P1-501Y-V3 (Brazil, Gamma). We demonstrate that the Q677H mutation increases viral infectivity and syncytium formation, as well as enhancing resistance to neutralization for VOCs, including B.1.1.7 and P1-501Y-V3. Our work highlights the importance of epistatic interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations and the continued need to monitor Q677H-bearing VOCs.