Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) have been found to impact binding affinity to the human ACE2 receptor, which has implications for virus infectivity and neutralizing antibody response.
- Souza de Costa 2022: Assessment of mutations on RBD in the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants
- Wu 2022: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron RBD shows weaker binding affinity than the currently dominant Delta variant to human ACE2
- Cao 2021: Omicron escapes the majority of existing SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies
Peacock 2021 identified the insertion of a polybasic furin cleavage site (RRAR) at the S1/S2 junction in the S protein as an important determinant of SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility.