Slack / Private Message Drop — page 735

The N-term domain binds RNA. The C-term domain mediates dimerization. In btwn the two domains is a linker. In SC2 the linker is arginine serine (RS) rich. It is "intrinsically disordered" and therefore does not show up in the X-ray or cryo structures. 203-205 sequence RGT is near the end of the linker. The linker is highly phosphorylated - therefore probably regulates N function - the mutations could impact those functions which could affect assembly, virus load or virus distribution etc and yes this will impact transmissibility. [2021-04-28 07:01:53] [Andrew Rambaut] [thread - ID: 2021-04-28 07:00:05] @Kristian Andersen I think this one is interesting because it has almost nothing else other than Phil and Doug from before and then the 4 spike mutations [2021-04-28 07:02:18] [Andrew Rambaut] [thread - ID: 2021-04-28 07:00:05] @Kristian Andersen It is like a really pure constellation. [2021-04-28 07:02:40] [Kristian Andersen] [thread - ID: 2021-04-28 07:00:05] @Kristian Andersen Agreed. We have started seeing a lot of B.1, so we'll be on the lookout. [2021-04-28 07:04:04] [Kristian Andersen] That Sputnik V stuff is crazy AF. I wonder if the Ad26 is competent too? Ad5 is pretty prevalent, so while certainly a problem, less so. Ad26 on the other hand... [2021-04-28 07:11:17] [Robert Garry] more grist for the anti-vaxxers and other opportunists [2021-04-28 07:32:33] [Robert Garry] "Perhaps Sputnik V will just spread round the world of its own accord?" NOT a bad idea - in an evil/not evil mad scientist kind of way. [2021-04-28 07:42:02] [Andrew Rambaut] Yeah - it is obviously one way of manufacturing vaccine. [2021-04-28 07:42:17] [Kristian Andersen] Might accelerate vaccination efforts in hard-to-reach areas... Good plan, Russia. [2021-04-28 07:43:09] [Andrew Rambaut] Do you think Russia are just going for the win on number of vaccinations? [2021-04-28 07:45:16] [Kristian Andersen] Clearly. It's going to be hard to track, although they could have created an epitope for MADE-IN-RUSSIA so we can keep tally via ELISA. [2021-04-28 09:15:48] [Andrew Rambaut]