Multiple mutations of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant orchestrate its virological characteristics

Abstract

Most studies investigating the characteristics of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants have been focusing on mutations in the spike proteins that affect viral infectivity, fusogenicity, and pathogenicity. However, few studies have addressed how naturally occurring mutations in the non-<i>spike</i> regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome impact virological properties. In this study, we proved that multiple SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 mutations, one in the spike protein and another downstream of the <i>spike</i> gene, orchestrally characterize this variant, shedding light on the importance of Omicron BA.2 mutations out of the spike protein.