SARS CoV-2 Variants and Spike Mutations Involved in Second Wave of
COVID-19 Pandemic in India
Abstract
Against the backdrop of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India
that started in March 2021, we have monitored the spike (S) protein
mutations in all the reported (GISAID portal) whole genome sequences of
SARS CoV-2 circulating in India from 1 st January 2021
to 31 st August 2021. In the 43,102 SARS-CoV-2 genomic
sequences analysed, we have identified 24, 260 mutations in the S
protein, based on which 265 pango lineages could be categorised. The
dominant lineage in most of the 28 states of India and its 8 union
territories was B.1.617.2 (the delta variant). However, the states
Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab had B.1.1.7 (alpha variant)
as the major lineage, while the Himachal Pradesh state reported B.1.36
as the dominating lineage. A detailed analysis of various domains of S
protein was carried out for detecting mutations having a prevalence of
>1%; 70, 18, 7, 3, 9, 4, and 1 (N=112) such mutations were
observed in the N -terminal domain, receptor binding domain, C -terminal
domain, fusion peptide region, heptapeptide repeat (HR)-1 domains,
signal peptide domain, and transmembrane region, respectively. However,
no mutations were recorded in the HR-2, and cytoplasmic domains of the S
protein. Interestingly, 13.39% (N=15) of these mutations were reported
to increase the infectivity and pathogenicity of the virus; 2%(N=3)
were known to be vaccine breakthrough mutations; and 0.89%(N=1) were
known to escape neutralising antibodies. Biological significance of 82%
(N=92) of the reported mutations is yet unknown. As SARS-CoV-2 variants
are emerging rapidly, it is critical to continuously monitor local viral
mutations to understand national trends of virus circulation. This can
tremendously help in designing better preventive regimens in the
country, and avoid vaccine breakthrough infections.