samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,912 
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Post by samantha25 on Dec 30, 2020 5:07:15 GMT
This is just an FYI for when reading about mutations and what I can help with interpretations as I am a protein biochemist that has studied structure and function of mutations of a protein (but not Covid). When you read about the UK strain mutation has spread, for example, the N501Y strain, what this means is that the "original, or first" DNA sequence of the virus has had a DNA base change (remember there are 4 bases, ACGT) and this base change has translated to a protein (3 DNA bases make a protein) change. In this example, the 501st protein in the Covid protein has changed from N (which is Asparagine, a polar uncharged amino acid) to Y (which is tyrosine, a hydrophobic amino acid). This protein change causes a change in the structure of a protein, potentially in a critical area of function. Such as interacting with a protein to enter the cell, such as the spike protein or interacting with receptors or even changing the shape of the protein to enter the cell. This happens with viruses. They mutate for their goal, to infect, replicate and infect another host.
But think about the virus as a blob, or protein. After an immune response (hey, this if foreign, I don't like you...antibodies attack this blob). One way of doing that is that antibodies bind to the blob. Antibodies are literally, Y-shaped. The tops of the Y of the antibody, will bind to, neutralize, destroy, launch an immune response and keep the virus from invading, but since this is a blob, the surface of the protein is not flat and the epitope, where the antibody binds is not linear and so scientists can not predict how antibodies bind exactly, nor make exact antibodies for future vaccines.
Also, what I'd like to say is that even though there are reports of this mutation, it does not mean that it's really affecting the community in the way that has been presented, because there has not been biological studies (some in vitro, tissue culture only, from what I've read). If you read the end of the studies, there's usually a clause that says something along the lines of " The rapid growth of this lineage indicates the need for enhanced genomic and epidemiological surveillance worldwide and laboratory investigations of antigenicity and infectivity."
There will be mutations of viruses, that is what they do. I wish that there is more reporting on facts vs. speculation. The virus will spread to survive, whatever the genome sequence is, vs. original vs. D614G vs N501Y vs... the next one. Damn, I just hope it's not too late. I am angered that it's too late for 330,000 souls.
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Post by lucyg on Dec 30, 2020 5:53:20 GMT
Thank you. I didn’t understand most of that, but I’ll try again in the AM.  |
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,912
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Post by samantha25 on Dec 30, 2020 5:59:38 GMT
Thank you. I didn’t understand most of that, but I’ll try again in the AM. Thanks for your response... my geekiness is showing. You guys are my communication for the last several years. Cheers. |
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Post by its me mg on Dec 30, 2020 7:53:15 GMT
Most of this was lost on me but from what I can understand .... basically the virus mutating isn't a huge deal. The flu has different strains that are always changing. The issue is that we don't know enough about Covid to predict it's behavior or know what the mutations may mean, but as far as we know it's nothing too dramatic? At the end of the day it's going to mutate and it's going to harm us until we know enough about the overall DNA to predict it's behaviors and develop better/further vaccines?
Hope I got some of it right!
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Post by Patter on Dec 30, 2020 9:44:44 GMT
Thank you for this. My daughter has been sharing this with me, and she speaks her "student doctor" speak so I have to make her turn it into something I understand. LOL!
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Post by gar on Dec 30, 2020 9:48:35 GMT
Thank you. I didn’t understand most of that, but I’ll try again in the AM.  It's morning for me and I've just read it and...I think I get the gist of what you're saying, maybe  |
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,731
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Dec 30, 2020 12:52:59 GMT
I get it -- thanks so much for the explanation. I hope we can get this thing under control.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 11:56:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2020 13:22:14 GMT
One of my FAV books is "The Hot Zone". Since reading it, I am totally geeked out by viruses.
I remember when I first heard about Wuhan, my ears perked up. When the journalist left in the middle of the night because they were locking down airports and train stations, I KNEW.... The next day, I sat my husband down and I told him we were going to start stockpiling medicine and supplies. I kept watching the WHO claim it was not a pandemic, but I would scream at the TV because I knew it was too late.
DH's family laughed at me and told me I was just being paranoid. Guess who showed up at our door when they couldn't find face masks and the like.
I was not at all surprised when the news came out about the variant.
Thank you for your post. I am totally on the geek bench with you!
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kibblesandbits
Pearl Clutcher
At the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity
Posts: 3,305
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Post by kibblesandbits on Dec 30, 2020 13:34:06 GMT
Thanks for posting - this is fascinating! The geek in me acknowledges the geek in you. Namaste! allipeas I loved "The Hot Zone" too! |
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Dec 30, 2020 13:43:22 GMT
Thanks for this; it’s helpful. Please turn it into a Geek Series. Pea Geek. Peek. Peak.  |
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Post by hjs on Dec 30, 2020 13:50:08 GMT
I am saddened that there have been almost 2 million deaths worldwide
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,174
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Dec 30, 2020 14:02:38 GMT
Thanks for posting this. No media sources are accurate. I like reading from a Pea's point of view on so many different things. This is fascinating. (I'll need to re-read it again to understand a bit more)
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Post by sasha on Dec 30, 2020 14:43:21 GMT
Great explanation! Thanks for taking the time to explain!
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,969
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Post by Nanner on Dec 30, 2020 15:12:42 GMT
Thanks for this post. I get it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 11:56:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2020 15:23:26 GMT
This is just an FYI for when reading about mutations and what I can help with interpretations as I am a protein biochemist that has studied structure and function of mutations of a protein (but not Covid). When you read about the UK strain mutation has spread, for example, the N501Y strain, what this means is that the "original, or first" DNA sequence of the virus has had a DNA base change (remember there are 4 bases, ACGT) and this base change has translated to a protein (3 DNA bases make a protein) change. In this example, the 501st protein in the Covid protein has changed from N (which is Asparagine, a polar uncharged amino acid) to Y (which is tyrosine, a hydrophobic amino acid). This protein change causes a change in the structure of a protein, potentially in a critical area of function. Such as interacting with a protein to enter the cell, such as the spike protein or interacting with receptors or even changing the shape of the protein to enter the cell. This happens with viruses. They mutate for their goal, to infect, replicate and infect another host.
But think about the virus as a blob, or protein. After an immune response (hey, this if foreign, I don't like you...antibodies attack this blob). One way of doing that is that antibodies bind to the blob. Antibodies are literally, Y-shaped. The tops of the Y of the antibody, will bind to, neutralize, destroy, launch an immune response and keep the virus from invading, but since this is a blob, the surface of the protein is not flat and the epitope, where the antibody binds is not linear and so scientists can not predict how antibodies bind exactly, nor make exact antibodies for future vaccines.
Also, what I'd like to say is that even though there are reports of this mutation, it does not mean that it's really affecting the community in the way that has been presented, because there has not been biological studies (some in vitro, tissue culture only, from what I've read). If you read the end of the studies, there's usually a clause that says something along the lines of " The rapid growth of this lineage indicates the need for enhanced genomic and epidemiological surveillance worldwide and laboratory investigations of antigenicity and infectivity."
There will be mutations of viruses, that is what they do. I wish that there is more reporting on facts vs. speculation. The virus will spread to survive, whatever the genome sequence is, vs. original vs. D614G vs N501Y vs... the next one. Damn, I just hope it's not too late. I am angered that it's too late for 330,000 souls.
Cog UK (Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium )d have been studying the virus since the very beginning, one of the only countries in the world to do so and this new variant does seem to transmit much quicker than the other variants. Studying one strain such as the N501Y is not enough, one also needs to take into account all the variance/mutations that are under investigations. This LINK might be of interest to you samantha25 The new strain that is the one found in the UK is B1.1.7 and although different papers from a variety of researchers have not, as yet, been peered reviewed there is enough evidence that tells us that, not only does it spread more quickly but also has a higher viral load based on respiratory samples already analysed. There are now far more positive cases of this new strain than there is of other strains. In other words it is now the dominant strain among all the test carried out is some parts of the UK, mainly London and the South East. It has also transmitted at an alarming rate over the last 2 to 4 weeks. There is also another strain originating from South Africa that has similar mutations to the UK one. There is no evidence yet that this strain is more dangerous to the original or that the present vaccine is not effective for this type. There is a possibility in the future that a " tweeked" vaccine will be needed, possible on a yearly basis much like the flu one we have now. But again they are not certain that is the case yet. |
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Post by malibou on Dec 30, 2020 18:13:22 GMT
samantha25 excellent job on describing what happens with mutation. The science nerd in me honours the science nerd in you! @dottyscrapper thank you for your imput. allipeas thanks for the book recommendation.
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Post by gizzy on Dec 30, 2020 18:19:00 GMT
Thank you, samantha25 and @dottyscrapper for the info. Have either of you watched TWIV (this week in virology) on youtube? Or they have a podcast. I've been listening to them for a few months and find them informative. |
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 6,976
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Dec 30, 2020 19:15:54 GMT
Thank you. I didn’t understand most of that, but I’ll try again in the AM.  Me neither. I need some animation. LOL |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,539
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Post by pinklady on Dec 30, 2020 21:26:54 GMT
Well the new version is in so cal
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Post by mom on Dec 30, 2020 21:30:10 GMT
Thank you for sharing this. I have been worried about the new strain --- thank you for spelling it all out so its not so scary for me.
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