Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Awards: MR/L015080/1, Z/17/Z, 206298/Z/17/Z, 206298
• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: 725422, CoroNAb 101003653, MR/R015600/1, 101003653
• DF
  Directorate for Biological Sciences
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: MR/M006212/1, MR/R015600/1, MR/M501621/1, MR/M009157/1, MC_PC_19026, MR/L015080/1, MC_UU_1201412, L015080, MR/R015600/1, MC_UU_12014/3, MR/J014370/1, MC_PC_19012, MR/L015080/1, MR/S00291X/1
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Awards: BBS/E/F/000PR10348, M010996, M010996/1, BB/M009122/1, BB/ M010996/1, BBS/E/F/000PR10348, MR/L015080/1, BBS/E/F/000PR10352, BB/R012504, BB/R012504/1
• ER
  European Regional Development Fund