Large scale genomic analysis of 3067 SARS-CoV-2 genomes reveals a clonal geo-distribution and a rich genetic variations of hotspots mutations

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 15; no. 11; p. e0240345
• Main Authors: Laamarti, Meriem, Alouane, Tarek, Kartti, Souad, Chemao-Elfihri, M W, Hakmi, Mohammed, Essabbar, Abdelomunim, Laamarti, Mohamed, Hlali, Haitam, Bendani, Houda, Boumajdi, Nassma, Benhrif, Oussama, Allam, Loubna, El Hafidi, Naima, El Jaoudi, Rachid, Allali, Imane, Marchoudi, Nabila, Fekkak, Jamal, Benrahma, Houda, Nejjari, Chakib, Amzazi, Saaid, Belyamani, Lahcen, Ibrahimi, Azeddine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 10.11.2020; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Accumulation; Betacoronavirus - classification; Betacoronavirus - genetics; Betacoronavirus - isolation & purification; Biology; Biology and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; China; Computer and Information Sciences; Coronavirus Infections - pathology; Coronavirus Infections - virology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Drug resistance; Earth Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Epidemics; Evolution, Molecular; Gene frequency; Gene mutation; Genetic aspects; Genetic diversity; Genetic variance; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Genomes; Genomic analysis; Genotypes; Geographical locations; Haplotypes; Health aspects; Health sciences; Humans; Identification and classification; Laboratories; Medicine and health sciences; Microbiological research; Mutation; Pandemics; Pharmacy; Phylogeny; Pneumonia, Viral - pathology; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Polyproteins; Population studies; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Proteins; Research and Analysis Methods; Respiratory diseases; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus - chemistry; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus - genetics; Viral diseases; Viral Proteins - chemistry; Viral Proteins - genetics; Virulence (Microbiology); Viruses; China; Morocco
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240345

In late December 2019, an emerging viral infection COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China, and became a global pandemic. Characterization of the genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial in following and evaluating it spread across countries. In this study, we collected and analyzed 3,067 SARS-CoV-2 genomes isolated from 55 countries during the first three months after the onset of this virus. Using comparative genomics analysis, we traced the profiles of the whole-genome mutations and compared the frequency of each mutation in the studied population. The accumulation of mutations during the epidemic period with their geographic locations was also monitored. The results showed 782 variants sites, of which 512 (65.47%) had a non-synonymous effect. Frequencies of mutated alleles revealed the presence of 68 recurrent mutations, including ten hotspot non-synonymous mutations with a prevalence higher than 0.10 in this population and distributed in six SARS-CoV-2 genes. The distribution of these recurrent mutations on the world map revealed that certain genotypes are specific to geographic locations. We also identified co-occurring mutations resulting in the presence of several haplotypes. Moreover, evolution over time has shown a mechanism of mutation co-accumulation which might affect the severity and spread of the SARS-CoV-2. The phylogentic analysis identified two major Clades C1 and C2 harboring mutations L3606F and G614D, respectively and both emerging for the first time in China. On the other hand, analysis of the selective pressure revealed the presence of negatively selected residues that could be taken into considerations as therapeutic targets. We have also created an inclusive unified database (http://covid-19.medbiotech.ma) that lists all of the genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes found in this study with phylogeographic analysis around the world.