Emerging of a SARS-CoV-2 viral strain with a deletion in nsp1

Abstract

Background:The new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first detected in Wuhan (China) in December of 2019 is responsible for the current global pandemic.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that it is similar to other betacoronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV and Middle-Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, MERS-CoV. Its genome is ∼30 kb in length and contains two large overlapping polyproteins, ORF1a and ORF1ab that encode for several structural and non-structural proteins. The non-structural protein 1 (nsp1) is arguably the most important pathogenic determinant, and previous studies on SARS-CoV indicate that it is both involved in viral replication and hampering the innate immune system response. Detailed experiments of site-specific mutagenesis and in vitro reconstitution studies determined that the mechanisms of action are mediated by i) the presence of specific amino acid residues of nsp1 and b) the interaction between the protein and the host’s small ribosomal unit. In fact, substitution of certain amino acids resulted in reduction of its negative effects.Methods: A total of 17928 genome sequences were obtained from the GISAID database (December 2019 to July 2020) from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 from different areas around the world. Genomes alignment was performed using MAFFT (REFF) and the nsp1 genomic regions were identified using BioEdit and verified using BLAST. Nsp1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 with and without deletion have been subsequently modelled using I-TASSER.Results: We identified SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, from several Countries, carrying a previously unknown deletion of 9 nucleotides in position 686-694, corresponding to the AA position 241-243 (KSF). This deletion was found in different geographical areas. Structural prediction modelling suggests an effect on the C-terminal tail structure.Conclusions: Modelling analysis of a newly identified deletion of 3 amino acids (KSF) of SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 suggests that this deletion could affect the structure of the C-terminal region of the protein, important for regulation of viral replication and negative effect on host’s gene expression. In addition, substitution of the two amino acids (KS) from nsp1 of SARS-CoV was previously reported to revert loss of interferon-alpha expression. The deletion that we describe indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is undergoing profound genomic changes. It is important to: i) confirm the spreading of this particular viral strain, and potentially of strains with other deletions in the nsp1 protein, both in the population of asymptomatic and pauci-symptomatic subjects, and ii) correlate these changes in nsp1 with potential decreased viral pathogenicity.

Genomic monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 uncovers an Nsp1 deletion variant that modulates type I interferon response

“…Although we found that genes coding for ribosomal proteins (RPS/RPL) and pathways related to mRNA/protein metabolism were differentially regulated in mutant Nsp1-expressing cells compared to the WT Nsp1, it remains to be examined how the deletion, particularly the key residues in the N-terminal domain affects host cell translation or mRNA decay. Interestingly, several other Nsp1 mutants were also identified in different geographical areas (Benedetti et al, 2020;Islam et al, 2020). These results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is undergoing profound genomic changes and evolution and that Nsp1 is likely important for viral phenotypes.…”

SARS-CoV-2 mutations: the biological trackway towards viral fitness

“…Among the SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein variants, deletion at position Asp268 of NSP2 spread rapidly in Europe [81]. Deletion of three amino acids, KSF towards the 3′ end of NSP1 at positions 241–243 was found in viral isolates from different geographical locations, suggesting their rapid spread [82]. Whether such mutations have any effect on viral pathogenicity needs to be explored.…”

SARS-CoV-2 one year on: evidence for ongoing viral adaptation

“…The role of NSP1 is to dampen the immune responses through host shut-off by inhibiting host ribosomal translation [162]. This deletion is hypothesised to destabilise the C-terminal domain, potentially impacting viral replication and leading to a less pathogenic phenotype [163]. Furthermore, a single amino acid deletion in NSP1 (Δ85) has been described in several variants of concern-like viruses or immunocompromised patient sequences (Tables 1 and 2) [61,115].…”