Effect of RBD (Y453F) mutation in spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 on neutralizing IgG affinity.

Hayashi, T.; Yaegashi, N.; Konishi, I.

Background: Infection with receptor binding domain (RBD) mutant (Y453F) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from farmed minks is known to widely spread among humans. Methods: We investigated the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 RBD Y453F mutant using three-dimensional structural analysis. We investigated the effect of the RBD Y453F mutant of SARS-CoV-2 on neutralizing antibodies in serum derived from Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patients. Results: Our studies suggest that virus variants with RBD Y453F mutation partially escaped detection by four neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in serum. Conclusions: Consequently, raising a concern that infection of SARS-CoV-2 mutants that cause serious symptoms in humans may spread globally.