SARS-CoV-2 mutational profiling: an insight into the biological importance of mutation hotspots and coldspots of the main protease (M-pro)

Identifier:  TFG:4420

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG4420

Authors:  Garcia Segura, Pol

Abstract:
It is crucial to characterize SARS-CoV-2 mutations as they might lead to viral resistance. SARS-CoV-2 depends on its main protease (M-pro) to successfully replicate itself. Here, a mutation profiling of more than 200,000 genomes of SARS-CoV-2 is made. A more detailed analysis of SARS-CoV-2 M-pro is conducted to widen our knowledge of this protein, with particular attention to mutation-resistant residues or mutation “coldspots”. 54 mutation coldspots were identified and mostly mapped to a dedicated function within the M-pro structure and function. The identification and short-listing of mutation coldspots of SARS-CoV-2 M-pro might single out mutation-resistant targets to be eventually inhibited.