A study of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has suggested that the current batch of vaccines may be less effective against the beta version.
The study by researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital in the US, which was published in the journal ‘Science’ on June 24, used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to analyze the spike proteins present on the surface of SARS-CoV- ) was used. 2.
Researchers compared the spike protein from the original virus found in China in 2019 with a beta and alpha version, previously identified in South Africa and the UK, respectively.
The results reportedly indicated that a mutation in the beta variant, also known as b.1.351, could alter the shape of the spike surface at certain locations.
Since all existing vaccines are directed against specific spike proteins, the beta version cannot be neutralized by them. Vaccines will be less able to bind to the beta virus, which could allow it to evade the immune system even if people are vaccinated.
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“The mutations make existing vaccine-induced antibodies less effective,” said Bing Chen of the Department of Molecular Medicine at Boston Children’s. This type can be beneficial to protect against,” Chen said.
However, existing vaccines may still be effective to some extent because tests indicate that the antibodies they elicit can neutralize the beta version.
beta version less transferable
Researchers have also discovered that mutations in the beta version make its spike protein less effective at binding to ACE2. Thus, the new study states, the beta virus may be less transmitted than its alpha counterpart (b.1.1.7).
The researchers also noted that the beta version, and also the alpha version, may not pose more threats than before. A SARS-CoV-2 variant must do three things: spread more easily, evade the immune system in people who have been vaccinated or previously exposed to COVID-19, and cause more severe disease.
The researchers said that the two types they analyzed did not meet all of these criteria together. “Our data suggest that the most problematic combination of such mutations is not yet present in the existing variants investigated here,” he said.
The research team is now analyzing the structures of other forms of anxiety, including the delta variant first identified in India (b.1.617.2).
(with PTI inputs)
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