Identifying a new gene

In the current study, published in the journal eLife, the researchers identified ORF3d, a new overlapping gene in SARS-CoV2 that can potentially encode a protein that is longer than expected by chance alone. The researchers revealed that the gene is also present in previously discovered pangolin coronaviruses.

Further, the team found that the new gene has been shown to exhibit a strong antibody response in COVID-19 patients, indicating that the novel gene’s protein is produced during human infection.

“We don’t yet know its function or if there’s clinical significance. But we predict this gene is relatively unlikely to be detected by a T-cell response, in contrast to the antibody response. And maybe that has something to do with how the gene was able to arise,” Nelson said.

It is challenging to detect overlapping genes since most high-end and scientific computers are not designed to find them. Nevertheless, these are common in coronaviruses since RNA viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, have a high mutation rate. Hence, viruses have developed a data compression system where one letter in the genome can influence two or three different genes.

Study implications

Studying the genome of viruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, can help us gain a better understanding of its characteristics and its evolution. This becomes crucial in developing effective vaccines that can induce an adequate immune response to fight the infection.

COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly across the globe. In the past few weeks, many countries have reported a second wave of infections. Countries in Europe, which had reopened their businesses and schools just a couple of months ago, are now seeing a resurgence of cases. However, these clusters of new infections have triggered second lockdowns in many countries – including Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Italy – which could have potential social, economic, and psychological effects on the public.

The United States has the highest number of infections, reaching over 10.39 million cases and 240,918 deaths. India and Brazil follow with more than 8.63 million and 5.69 million cases, respectively.

France reports more than 1.91 million cases, followed by Russia, Spain, and Argentina, with over 1.82 million, 1.41 million, and 1.27 million cases, respectively.