Exploring the Replication and Pathogenic Characteristics of Alpha, Delta, and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Exploring the Replication and Pathogenic Characteristics of Alpha, Delta, and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Publication date: Nov 25, 2024

The variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 have exhibited different phenotypic characteristics in clinical settings which are yet to be fully explored. This study aimed to characterize the viral replication features of major VOCs of SARS-CoV-2 and their association with pathogenicity. The Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from the COVID-19 patients in Japan were propagated in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells. The viral replication and pathological features were evaluated by laser and electron microscopy at different time points. The results revealed that the Delta variant dominantly infected the VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells and formed increased syncytia compared to the Alpha and Omicron variants. Relatively large numbers of virions and increased immunoreactivities of the SARS-CoV-2 N-protein were detected in the endoplasmic reticulum and intracellular vesicles of Delta-infected cells. Interestingly, the N-protein and virions were detected in the nucleus of Delta-infected cells, while such properties were not observed in the case of Alpha and Omicron variants. In addition, early nuclear membrane damage followed by severe cellular damage was prominent in Delta-infected cells. A unique mutation (G215C) in the N-protein of the Delta variant is thought to be associated with severe cell damage. In conclusion, this study highlights the distinct replicative and pathogenic characteristics of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the Alpha and Omicron variants, shedding light on the potential mechanisms underlying its increased pathogenicity.

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Concepts Keywords
G215c Animals
Immunoreactivities Chlorocebus aethiops
Nuclear Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins
Severe Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins
Viral COVID-19
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Humans
nuclear localization
nucleocapsid phosphoprotein, SARS-CoV-2
pathogenic potential
Phosphoproteins
Phosphoproteins
SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2
variants of concern
Vero Cells
viral replication
Virion
Virus Replication

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease IDO replication
pathway KEGG Viral replication
disease MESH COVID-19
disease IDO protein
disease IDO cell
disease MESH Infectious Diseases
disease MESH Hospital Infection
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease IDO infectivity
disease MESH infection
disease IDO assay
drug DRUGBANK Tretamine
drug DRUGBANK Gold
drug DRUGBANK Fenamole
disease MESH severe acute respiratory syndrome
drug DRUGBANK Amino acids
disease IDO production
disease IDO host
disease MESH viral load
disease IDO virulence
disease MESH breakthrough infections
disease MESH long COVID
disease MESH depression
disease MESH dissociation
drug DRUGBANK Serine
drug DRUGBANK Streptomycin
drug DRUGBANK Ademetionine
disease MESH persistent infection
drug DRUGBANK Phosphate ion
drug DRUGBANK Formaldehyde
drug DRUGBANK Tromethamine
drug DRUGBANK Sodium lauryl sulfate
drug DRUGBANK Glycerin
drug DRUGBANK Ethanol
disease IDO reagent
drug DRUGBANK Titanium
pathway REACTOME Reproduction
drug DRUGBANK Carboxyamidotriazole
disease MESH infection transmission
drug DRUGBANK (S)-Des-Me-Ampa

Original Article

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