HEADLINE: Apart from D614G, is there a mutation of the Corona Q677H virus in Indonesia, is it more dangerous?

The mutation of the Corona Q677H virus was apparently discovered in May 2020. The virus code was found along with the discovery of the mutation of the Corona D614G virus.

Nyoman said, the initial discovery of the Q677H was spread in six countries, including Indonesia, to be precise in Surabaya. However, not only in Indonesia, the Q677H virus mutation has developed in 24 countries.

“This is certainly interesting, from six countries in May 2020. Then now it has developed into 24 countries. The location of the Q677H mutation coincides with the same mutation location as D614G,” he continued.

“That is, at the location of the protein spike (which are shaped like spikes) there are two charges that are close to each other and also close to the human host cell protein. They help cut spike it becomes two sub units, namely Spike (S1) and Spike 2 (S2). “

So does the discovery of the Q677H at the same location make the transmission speed similar to the D614G?

Answering this question Inge said that the team was still conducting studies. “The research team is trying to do blocking in the mutation site. Regarding Q677H and D614G which is more contagious, we cannot inform you yet, “he explained.

“Yes, because the Q677H mutation has just been discovered. So, it is necessary to further investigate the protein-protein interaction pattern between host cell proteins and viral proteins.”

Meanwhile, the Head of the Applied Genetic Engineering and Design Protein Laboratory of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Dr.rer.nat Wien Kusharyoto, referring to the GISAID data, said strain Q677H was first discovered in the UK and to this day, Monday (7/9/2020) there have only been 105 recorded finds, an increase of 6 out of 99 in the last few days.

“It has been found 105 times including those in Surabaya and has been found in 19 countries. The first time in England, then the last was found in the Netherlands in August 2020,” he said when contacted. Liputan6.com, Monday (7/9/2020).

Wien estimates that these 105 findings if a percentage of about 0.1 percent of all new Corona viruses reported to GISAID. Meanwhile, D614G per day shows an increase to 79.4 percent.

“The percentage of D614G has risen again to 79.4 percent. So 4/5 of all the viruses in GISAID have carried the mutation. It has been found in 107 countries,” said Wien.

This means that if you look at the available data, the development of the Q677H strain is not as fast as D614G, even though both are found at the protein site. spike The same.

About the power of transmission strain Q677H, Wien said, so far there has been no study that specifically studies the effect of these mutations.

“What is clear that so far there has been no study that specifically studies the effect of the mutation, for example on the effect of infectivity or the ability of the virus to infect.

Even Wien also reminded that strain D614G, which is said to have a 10 times faster infection rate, is only a laboratory finding. Further research is needed to prove this in the context of natural infections.

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