Identification of a stable nucleocapsid dimer formed by SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Kubinski, Hannah
Kubinski, Hannah
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Abstract
Most SARS-CoV-2 research has focused on mutations seen in the Spike protein, however the nucleocapsid protein (N) is also under selective pressure and multiple mutations have been documented. We identified three SARS-CoV-2 variants (Beta, Iota, and Delta) that encode different cysteine mutations– R185C, G215C, and G243C–that result in the production of a highly stable form of N with twice the expected molecular weight of an N monomer. We hypothesize these mutations facilitate a highly stable N-N dimer mediated by the introduction of a cysteine into the linker region of N, which may lead to an advantage during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Undergraduate
Date
2023-01-01