by Princess Ira de Silos (Ikirara)
Mutations occur when there is an abnormal change in the gene sequence, usually accounting for an undesirable phenotype. The mutated gene may be transmitted from the parent to the offspring, which produces abnormalities. However, these abnormalities can be utilized for the improvement of scientific technologies that are beneficial and relevant to society.
Are all mutations bad?
We were enclosed to the idea that mutations may cause more harm than good, most especially for humans. However, several studies use mutations to their advantage to achieve a certain goal with significant benefits in the research and proliferation of specific desired traits that may be spread throughout a population using molecular techniques. Given that mutations can still cause abnormalities, it is important to take note of proper ethical administration to develop and appreciate the long-term significance of altering gene sequences.
Applications
There are several applications to mutations that are beneficial to all forms of life. In public health, immunotherapy can recognize cells that may be lethal to patients. It also serves as a tool to improve crops in plant breeding by increasing the tolerance of flora to biotic and abiotic stresses, which enhances crop yield and overall quality. Bacterial and viral mutations are also important to understand evolution using the raw material of genetic variation. In the bacterial mutation, the evolution of bacteria can acquire resistance against antibiotics. Meanwhile, viral mutations can create new vaccines and treatments. For example, evading the antibodies in the variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential for people to develop immunizations that lower the risk of infection, especially people at risk.
SARS-CoV-2
The causative agent of COVID-19
How do variants form?
Variants form due to mutations that occur naturally and randomly in viruses. A virus can multiply in a host cell where the genetic material can be replicated many times through an enzyme known as a polymerase. This enzyme can make mistakes leading to errors in the genetic material. The errors can be reflected by the rise of new strains of the virus. It changes the pathogenicity, virulence, and immunogenicity of the virus. The higher the transmission rates, the higher risk of viral mutations in the genetic material.
SARS-CoV-2 variants
- B.1.1.7 – United Kingdom variant
- Increased in transmission and virulence due to higher viral load, but does not affect vaccine efficacy
- B1.351 – South African variant
- Heightened transmission with the ability to escape immunity against natural infections, but no increase in virulence and effect on the potency of vaccine-induced antibodies
- P.1 – Brazil variant
- Anecdotes on reinfections, but remains unresolved for its ability to transmissibility, virulence, and potential for immune evasion.
- P.3 – Philippine variant
- Locally developed in the country, but there are still little to known knowledge regarding the variant
Types of mutation in SARS-CoV-2 variant formation
- N501Y mutation (missense mutation)
- Change in the 501st amino acid replacing asparagine (N) with tyrosine (Y) in the receptor-binding domain (RBD)
- P681H mutation (missense mutation)
- Substitution of proline (P) to histidine (H) in the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, allowing more furin cleavage and promoting viral entry to the host cell
- HV 69-70 deletion (deletion)
- Enhances infection because of a modified S protein
- ORF8 Q27 stop mutation (deletion)
- Mild effect on the virus replication in human airway cells
- E484K mutation (missense mutation)
- Substitution at position 484 of glutamate (E) to lysine (K) in the RBD, resulting in long-rage contact from S protein to ACE2 and lessening the infection
- K417N mutation (missense mutation)
- Substitution of lysine (K) to asparagine (N), lessening the infection
- ORF1b deletion (deletion)
- Increases mutation rate incidences
Vaccination
Saving lives through immunization
If there is a mutation, then a new variant is formed. If there is a new variant, then new vaccine and therapeutics should be made applicable to the variant. Immunizations are one of the greatest public health achievements worldwide. It lessens the number of people infected by life-threatening diseases. Unfortunately, many still support the antivaccine movement intensified by lack of knowledge in its scientific evidence and paranoia that stimulated from the spread of misinformation. Some health practitioners even support the movement despite their medical background. Be it as it may, the educated must continue to educate so that no one remains uneducated.
Vaccine Efficacy on Strains
*based on the available studies
** J&J has not been tested on specific variants. Values are results of efficacy on areas which these variants are prevalent
*** Small lab study; not peer-reviewed
Scientists have developed various vaccines to help activate our immune system against the virus. There are different types of vaccines tested on the virus strains to determine its efficacy, including mRNA, adenovirus, protein subunit vaccine, inactivated vaccine, and vectors. But due to mutations that introduced new variants, the efficacy of vaccines declined in different levels of magnitude depending on the type of variant. This further explains the importance of the need for elevated scientific research, as improvement on these various vaccine formulations is instigated by each emerging variant.
The plea for vaccination education and support
In the global healthcare sphere, there are still a lot of common misconceptions regarding vaccinations. In the Philippines, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the country polio-free in 2000. However, the continuous spread of misinformation decreased the importance of vaccines. Furthermore, the country was once again facing another polio outbreak. In 2019, a 3-year-old girl from Lanao Del Sur was the first confirmed poliovirus case after almost two decades. With the continuous increase in anti-vaxxers, people who doubt and disagree with the use of vaccines might start new outbreaks that should have remained eradicated. We should come up with long-term solutions that will surely educate all generations. Public health should be one of the top priorities of our country. Despite the social status, providing free and accessible healthcare to every Filipino might be what we need to face the pandemic. After all, no one wants to be sick in a country with a healthcare system that caters to the rich.
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