Consider the now dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 called the D614G mutation: a) The mutation changes an Aspartate (D, Asp) to a Glycine (G, Gly) at nucleotide position 614 (that’s why it’s called the D614G mutant) in the S1 subunit of the Spike protein. Using only the information above and a codon table, what are the mRNA codon sequences of the 2019-dominant and 2020-dominant Spike proteins? Note the figure above is not needed to answer the question. Report in 5’ to 3' orientation __________________________________________ b) What type of substitution is this? In your answer, address the following: • The expected substitution in base sequence (e.g., A à C) • If the mutation is synonymous, nonsynonymous, or a frameshift • If the mutation is a transition or a transversion c) The mutation increases infectivity by reducing the stability of the Spike protein such that it can remain in the open conformation more often. The open conformation increases the chances of binding to the host ACE2 receptor, needed for entering host cells. Does this information surprise you at this point in the semester? Does it make sense that this mutant would quickly become the dominant variant across the globe? (Hint: Not trick questions; easy questions
Gene Interactions
When the expression of a single trait is influenced by two or more different non-allelic genes, it is termed as genetic interaction. According to Mendel's law of inheritance, each gene functions in its own way and does not depend on the function of another gene, i.e., a single gene controls each of seven characteristics considered, but the complex contribution of many different genes determine many traits of an organism.
Gene Expression
Gene expression is a process by which the instructions present in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are converted into useful molecules such as proteins, and functional messenger ribonucleic (mRNA) molecules in the case of non-protein-coding genes.
Consider the now dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 called the D614G mutation:
a) The mutation changes an Aspartate (D, Asp) to a Glycine (G, Gly) at
answer the question. Report in 5’ to 3' orientation
__________________________________________
b) What type of substitution is this? In your answer, address the following:
• The expected substitution in base sequence (e.g., A à C)
• If the mutation is synonymous, nonsynonymous, or a frameshift
• If the mutation is a transition or a transversion
c) The mutation increases infectivity by reducing the stability of the Spike protein such that it can remain in the open conformation more often. The open conformation increases the chances of binding to the host ACE2 receptor, needed for entering host cells. Does this information surprise you at this point in the semester? Does it make sense that this mutant would quickly become the dominant variant across the globe? (Hint: Not trick questions; easy questions.)
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps
