D614G Mutation Enhances Coronavirus Infectivity

According to a new study published on November 12, 2020, the D614G variant mutation enhances SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infectivity, competitive fitness, and transmission in primary human cells and animal models. The original spike protein had a 'D' at this position, and it was replaced by a 'G' stated these researchers.

"SARS-CoV-2 is an entirely new human pathogen and its evolution in human populations is hard to predict. New variants are continually emerging, like the recently discovered mink SARS-CoV-2 cluster 5 variant in Denmark that also encodes D614G," said Ralph Baric, professor of microbiology and immunology at the UNC School of Medicine, in a press release.

'This study's data also suggest that vaccine development approaches directed against the WT spike should be effective against the D614G strains.'