A number of mutations in Omicron allow the Omicron variant of coronavirus bond more effectively with human cells than previous strains, according to a recent study.
The variant was studied by researchers from the University of British Columbia in Canada. They used cryoeletron microscopy to obtain images of the virus with an incredibly high resolution.
They found that ‘Omicron has far greater binding affinity than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus’ due to new bonds created between the virus and human cell receptors, said Dr Sriram Subramaniam, the lead scientist on the study.
Omicron was also tested against monoclonal as well as human antibodies by the researchers, and the results were more impressive than any other variant.
Although this study is a preprint, it has not been peer-reviewed. However, it matches other research that has focused on Omicron’s contagious characteristics.
New research suggests spike protein mutations that allow Omicron to form stronger bonds with human cells could explain Omicron’s high contagiousness.
Omicron, which has been confirmed in most states and now causes the largest number of Covid cases in the U.S. according to CDC estimates.
Omicron, a variant of the Omicron gene was identified for the first time in South Africa at the end November. It has spread quickly around other parts of the world.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this strain is the predominant in America and accounts for 73 percent new cases.
One estimate states that Omicron is three to five times more spreadable than Delta. In addition, its cases count doubles every day.
New research might help us understand why this variant can be so infectious. This study has been posted as a preprint and is not yet peer-reviewed.
Subramaniam, a University of British Columbia professor of biochemistry, stated in a statement that “The Omicron variation is unheard of for having 37 spike-protein mutations” and was the leading author of the study.
Subramaniam said that increased mutations in spike proteins are critical for two reasons. Subramaniam was also an ex-investigator at the Biophysics division of the National Institutes of Health.
He said, “Firstly, because spike protein is the way the virus attaches and infects humans cells.”
“Secondly because antibodies attach the spike protein to kill the virus.
Because of this, tiny spike protein mutations may have a significant impact on how coronaviruses are transmitted and the effectiveness of the immune system’s ability to fight them off.
Subramaniam, along with his associates, used cryo-electron microscopic to study the Omicron variant mutations.
This microscopy technique uses powerful electron microscopes that allow scientists to view the coronavirus with great detail, down to each atom.
To examine mutations within the spike protein, researchers employed powerful electron microscopes.
One-half of Omicron’s 37 spike protein mutations are found in the Omicron virus’s binding to human cells.
Coronavirus binds directly to ACE2, a receptor for human cells. It is found in all parts of the body, including the lungs, liver, blood vessels and other vital organs.
Although some cell binding mutations in Omicron are found in Omicron variants as well, others are exclusive to Omicron.
Subramaniam and his team discovered that certain mutations in the virus create new bonds with ACE2 receptors through microscopic imaging.
Subramaniam explained that the new mutations appeared to “increase binding affinity”, indicating Omicron’s ability to attach to cells more strongly.
Researchers compared Omicron’s binding affinity with that of Delta variant coronavirus and original strain using imaging techniques that provide data about how small molecules interact one another.
Subramaniam explained that Omicron’s binding affinity was much higher than the SARS-2 virus. It is also comparable in levels to those of the Delta variant.
Results showed that Omicron’s binding ability was significantly greater than Delta’s, and slightly more than the original coronavirus.
Omicron had a lower binding affinity to human receptors than Delta and significantly more affinity than the coronavirus original strain (top left).
Subramaniam and his team looked at the Omicron spike protein’s ability to escape both monoclonal antibodies as well as human antibodies.
The real-world results confirmed that Omicron was more capable of resisting antibodies than other variants, which means that treatment are less effective.
Subramaniam noted that Omicron was more open to vaccines than natural immunity in Covid patients who were not vaccinated.
“This indicates that vaccination is our best defense against Omicron variant.”
Both the Omicron variant’s increased binding affinity and its capacity to evade antibodies are ‘likely contributing factors to its increased transmissibility,’ Subramaniam said.
You can follow us @Twitter other scientists commentedSubramaniam’s rapid analysis of the biology for a variant completely unknown just one month before was attributed to his team.
Although his study is not yet peer-reviewed, it matches other research that has been done on Omicron’s ability to rapidly spread.
A research team from Hong Kong University found that Omicron multiplies 70 times faster in the human respiratory tract than Delta during acute infections.
Omicron’s rapid replication means that Omicron particles can be produced faster in the respiratory system than in previous variants.
Omicron research will continue to provide further insight on how Omicron can be treated for patients who are infected by this variant as well as those infected by other variants.
Subramaniam explained that the main focus of his team’s research is to find neutralizing antibodies that are effective against all variants. These can then be exploited for variant-resistant treatment.
“This could allow us to get ahead of all the variants for good.”