SARS-CoV-2 evolution in the Omicron era

Roemer, C; Sheward, DJ; Hisner, R; Gueli, F; Sakaguchi, H; Frohberg, N; Schoenmakers, J; Sato, K; O'Toole, A; Rambaut, A; Pybus, OG; Ruis, C; Murrell, B; Peacock, TP

Abstract

Since SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 (Omicron) emerged and spread in 2022, Omicron lineages have markedly diversified. Here we review the evolutionary trajectories and processes that underpin the emergence of these lineages, and identify the most prevalent sublineages. We discuss the potential origins of second-generation BA.2 lineages. Simple and complex recombination, antigenic drift and convergent evolution have enabled SARS-CoV-2 to accumulate mutations that alter its antigenicity. We also discuss the potential evolutionary trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 in the future. Evolution of Omicron lineages and future evolutionary trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 are discussed.

Citation

Roemer, C., Sheward, D., Hisner, R., Gueli, F., Sakaguchi, H., Frohberg, N., Schoenmakers, J., Sato, K., O'Toole, A., Rambaut, A., Pybus, O., Ruis, C., Murrell, B., & Peacock, T. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 evolution in the Omicron era. Nature Microbiology, 8(11), 1952-1959. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01504-w

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 13, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 16, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2024
• Print ISSN: 2058-5276
• Electronic ISSN: 2058-5276
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1952-1959
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01504-w
• Keywords: RECEPTOR-BINDING DOMAIN; TRANSMISSION; EMERGENCE; ESCAPE