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D614G mutation in coronavirus
Why is it in News?
- While novel coronavirus is undergoing many mutations, one particular mutation - D614G has become the dominant variant in the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Details:
- Mutation:
(1) When the virus enters an individual’s body, it tries to create copies of itself.
(2) When it makes an error in this copying process, we get a mutation.
- D614G mutation:
(1) The virus replaced the aspartic acid (D) in the 614th position of the amino acid with glycine (G).
(2) This mutated form of the virus was first identified in China and then in Europe.
(3) This particular mutation aids the virus in attaching more efficiently with the ACE2 receptor in the human host.
(4) So, it is more successful in entering a human body than its predecessors.
(5) This mutation found in 78% of the sequences between April 1 and May 18.