Commentary: MSH3 homology and potential recombination link to SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site

Dubuy, Yseulys; Lachuer, Hugo

doi:10.3389/fviro.2022.914888

Cited by 1 publication

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…(Ambati et al, 2022) (research with SARS-like viruses) and the patent (Bancel et al, 2017) (cancer research) can be reasonably extended so that whilst neither includes the integration of an FCS into a CoV, they could have converged into one joint set of laboratory experiments enabling its integration nonetheless? • If the likelihood for the implied sequence homologies is as high as argued in (Dubuy and Lachuer, 2022), what does this mean in terms of biorisk potentials, especially regarding deliberate exploitation? • What do these factors combined mean from an existing biorisk management perspective, especially related to crime risks and deliberate attacks?…”

Section: Thank One Of the Reviewers Of An Earlier Version Of This Art...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They also gave a very basic framework of how the purportedly patented sequence could have been integrated into a SARS-like virus, but they leave several questions about the rationale of such a research entertainment unanswered. Additionally, it has been suggested that the specific recombination event may happen very rarely, and, furthermore, the calculated coincidence probability has been contested and published as a Commentary (Dubuy and Lachuer, 2022) to Ref. (Ambati et al, 2022).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…• Feasibility: Is the scenario hypothesized by Ambati et (Dubuy and Lachuer, 2022), mean for laboratory safety and security, and in particular, those where both the original as well as the reverse complement may be of biological relevance (e.g., with MSH3 and FCS, see below)?…”

Section: Synopsis Of the Hypothesis By Ambati Et Al Concerning The Pr...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their extremely low coincidence probability has been contested. A commentary (Dubuy and Lachuer, 2022) to Ref. (Ambati et al, 2022) questions the BLAST search conducted by Ambati et al as well as how the probabilities were calculated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Ambati et al, 2022), requiring two crossover events that would have to be very close together, may be regarded as practically unlikely 6 . These constraints and the counterargument offered in (Dubuy and Lachuer, 2022) that the observed sequence homologies may just be a chance occurrence seem to have put the question raised in (Ambati et al, 2022) to rest. However, these developments and controversies have not been sufficiently scrutinized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recombination between coronaviruses and synthetic RNAs and biorisk implications motivated by a SARS-CoV-2 FCS origin controversy

Mueller¹

2023

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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The urgent need for improved policy, regulation, and oversight of research with potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs) has been widely acknowledged. A 2022 article in Frontiers in Virology raises questions, reporting on a 100% sequence homology between the SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site (FCS) and the negative strand of a 2017 patented sequence. Even though Ambati and collaborators suspect a possible inadvertent or intentional cause leading to the FCS insert, the related underpinnings have not been studied from the perspective of potential biorisk policy gaps. A commentary on their article contests the low coincidence likelihood that was calculated by Ambati et al., arguing that the sequence match could have been a chance occurrence alone. Additionally, it has been suggested that the odds of the recombination event may be low. These considerations seem to have put many speculations related to any implied viral beginnings, notably from a research setting likely outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology, to rest. However, potential implications for future disasters in terms of biosafety and biosecurity have not been addressed. To demonstrate the feasibility of the Ambati et al. postulate, a theoretical framework is developed that substantially extends the research orientations implicated by these authors and the related patent. It is argued that specific experimental conditions, in combination, could significantly increase the implied recombination profile between coronaviruses and synthetic RNAs. Consequently, this article scrutinizes these largely unrecognized vulnerabilities to discuss implications across the spectrum of the biological risk landscape, with special attention to a potential “crime harvest.” Focusing on insufficiently understood features of interaction between the natural and man-made world, vulnerabilities related to contaminants, camouflaging, and various misuse potentials fostered by the digitization and computerization of synthetic biology, it highlights novel biorisk gaps not covered by existing PPP policy. Even though this work does not aim to provide proof of the viral origin, it will make the point that, in theory, a convergence of under-appreciated lab experiments and technologies could have led to the SARS-CoV-2 FCS insert, which analogously could be exploited by various threat actors for the clandestine genesis of similar or even worse pathogens.

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Section: Thank One Of the Reviewers Of An Earlier Version Of This Art...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Synopsis Of the Hypothesis By Ambati Et Al Concerning The Pr...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Recombination between coronaviruses and synthetic RNAs and biorisk implications motivated by a SARS-CoV-2 FCS origin controversy

Mueller¹

2023

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Commentary: MSH3 homology and potential recombination link to SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site

Abstract: A commentary on MSH3 Homology and potential recombination link to SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site.

Cited by 1 publication

References 9 publications

Recombination between coronaviruses and synthetic RNAs and biorisk implications motivated by a SARS-CoV-2 FCS origin controversy

Recombination between coronaviruses and synthetic RNAs and biorisk implications motivated by a SARS-CoV-2 FCS origin controversy

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