Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34773976›Full record

ArticleBMC genomic data2021

In depth analysis of Cyprus-specific mutations of SARS-CoV-2 strains using computational approaches.

Anastasis Oulas, Jan Richter, Maria Zanti, Marios Tomazou, Kyriaki Michailidou, Kyproula Christodoulou, Christina Christodoulou, George M Spyrou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomic data, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Anastasis OulasBioinformatics Department, Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus. anastasioso@cing.ac.cy.
Jan RichterMolecular Virology Department, Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Maria ZantiBioinformatics Department, Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Marios TomazouBioinformatics Department, Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Kyriaki MichailidouThe Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Kyproula ChristodoulouThe Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Christina ChristodoulouThe Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
George M SpyrouBioinformatics Department, Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aims to characterize SARS-CoV-2 mutations which are primarily prevalent in the Cypriot population. Moreover, using computational approaches, we assess whether these mutations are associated with changes in viral virulence.

methodsWe utilize genetic data from 144 sequences of SARS-CoV-2 strains from the Cypriot population obtained between March 2020 and January 2021, as well as all data available from GISAID. We combine this with countries' regional information, such as deaths and cases per million, as well as COVID-19-related public health austerity measure response times. Initial indications of selective advantage of Cyprus-specific mutations are obtained by mutation tracking analysis. This entails calculating specific mutation frequencies within the Cypriot population and comparing these with their prevalence world-wide throughout the course of the pandemic. We further make use of linear regression models to extrapolate additional information that may be missed through standard statistical analysis.

resultsWe report a single mutation found in the ORF1ab gene (nucleotide position 18,440) that appears to be significantly enriched within the Cypriot population. The amino acid change is denoted as S6059F, which maps to the SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 protein. We further analyse this mutation using regression models to investigate possible associations with increased deaths and cases per million. Moreover, protein structure prediction tools show that the mutation infers a conformational change to the protein that significantly alters its structure when compared to the reference protein.

conclusionsInvestigating Cyprus-specific mutations for SARS-CoV-2 can lead to a better understanding of viral pathogenicity. Researching these mutations can generate potential links between viral-specific mutations and the unique genomics of the Cypriot population. This can not only lead to important findings from which to battle the pandemic on a national level, but also provide insights into viral virulence worldwide.

Indexed as

COVID-19SARS-CoV-2CyprusExoribonucleasesHumansMutationPhylogenyViral Nonstructural ProteinsExoribonucleasesnsp14 protein, SARS coronavirusViral Nonstructural ProteinsCyprus-specific mutationsLinear regressionSARS-CoV-2Structural prediction

Identifiers

PMID34773976
PMCPMC8590444

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.