Mink coronavirus mutated and became stronger against human antibodies

As German molecular biologists report in their new work, mutations that often appear in proteins

mink coronavirus shells had almost no effect on the efficiency of its penetration into human cells.

Despite this, the Y453F mutation made him stronger when fighting human antibodies. These antibodies were previously approved for the treatment of COVID-19 and are found in those who have recovered from the disease. 

In order to find out, the scientists selectedfive of the most common mutations and followed how they affected the ability of viral particles to enter human cells and bind to the ACE2 receptor. It is the main protein that SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter healthy cells.

The researchers also studied how actively the antibodies that are used to treat coronavirus infection or that are in the blood serum of those who have recovered were attached to the virus particles.

As a result, it turned out that the Y453F mutationreduced the effectiveness of antibody serum by approximately 62%. In addition, it suppressed the work of one of the two monoclonal antibodies - REGN10933, which are part of the experimental drug REGN-COV2, developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Scientists said that in this case it is necessary to actively monitor animal infections and study such mutations. 

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