Ongoing global and regional adaptive evolution of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Significance Understanding the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is essential to control and ultimately end the pandemic. We analyzed more than 300,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes available as of January 2021 and demonstrate adaptive evolution of the virus that affects, primarily, multiple sites in the spike and nucleocapsid protein. Selection appears to act on combinations of mutations in these and other SARS-CoV-2 genes. Evolution of the virus is accompanied by ongoing adaptive diversification within and between geographic regions. This diversification could substantially prolong the pandemic and the vaccination campaign, in which variant-specific vaccines are likely to be required.

Cited by papers we hold 3

• Compensatory epistasis maintains ACE2 affinity in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 · 2022
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• Drivers of adaptive evolution during chronic SARS-CoV-2 infections · 2022
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• Distinguishing features of current COVID-19 vaccines: knowns and unknowns of antigen presentation and modes of action · 2021
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