Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

March 1, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Spike D614G Change Enhances Replication and Transmission

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  • The SARS-CoV-2 S-614G variant was found to enhance binding to recombinant human ACE2 receptors, increase replication in lung and nasal cell culture systems, increase replication in a humanized ACE2 mouse model, and increased transmissibility in hamster and ferret SARS-CoV-2 models. While this mutation resulted in small increases in binding and replication in vitro, it conferred larger competitive advantages in vivo, potentially explaining the increased prevalence of this strain. 

Zhou et al. (Feb 26, 2021). SARS-CoV-2 Spike D614G Change Enhances Replication and Transmission. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03361-1