TASS, 9 Jun. analysis of the structure more than 10 thousand samples of a new type of coronavirus from different parts of the world show that now the world is distributed six varieties. Their findings are published in the electronic scientific library bioRxiv.
“We created an algorithm which can be quickly sequenced and grouped complete genomes of pathogens fast-spreading epidemics. Using this technique, we have studied 10.4 thousand strains of SARS-CoV-2 and found that there are six clonal groups of this virus that circulate around the world,” the scientists write.
From the first days of the outbreak of coronavirus infection scientists are trying to understand in what direction and how evolyutsioniruet its causative agent — a virus SARS-CoV-2. Now it is known that he accumulates mutations at about the same speed as the causative agent of influenza. However, how these mutations affect the infectious and other properties of the virus, scientists have not reliably know.
back in early March, Chinese biologists have said that the virus could be divided into two subtypes, S and L, which differ in the severity of symptoms and rate of spread.
Other scientists doubt this, noting that changes in the overall gene pool of the virus can be caused by various random processes, rather than real differences in infectivity of these subtypes of SARS-CoV-2. In may, scientists from Britain and Australia have shown that in the human population circulates from three varieties of the virus.
Epidemiologists under the supervision of associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania (USA) Gender Planeta conducted a new large-scale analysis of this kind. They studied and compared among themselves more than ten thousand genomes of coronavirus of a new type, samples of which were extracted from the bodies of ill people in many different countries over the last six months.
To analyze such a large set of information, researchers have used a special algorithm that reads the entire genetic database, and we’ve removed those parts of the genome and the gene fragments that matched or were identical from a functional point of view.
because of this, researchers have reduced the amount of analyzed data and highlighted variations in bacterial DNA or viral RNA, which change the structure of proteins or signaling molecules in a unique way, and also affect the nature of life of their carriers.
Geographically, these groups were distributed very unevenly. For example, viruses from the groups СС256 and CC258 are found mainly in the United States, representatives of groups СС70 and CC225 — in Europe and South America covered “European” coronavirus from the group CC300.
interestingly, this analysis allowed Planeta and his colleagues to distinguish mutations that are common to much�� part strains of coronavirus, and also open a few sites, the structure of which has changed little during the existence of the epidemic.
These areas, as suggested by scientists, is particularly important for the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2. Their study will help to create medicines and vaccines that can act on almost all varieties of virus, the researchers conclude.
it Should be added that article the scientists and reviewed by independent experts and editors of scientific journals, as it usually happens in such cases. Therefore, the conclusions from it and similar articles should be treated with caution.
