Many genomic mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are shaped by processes occurring in the intestines and lungs, where the virus acquires the ability to evade the inhibitory effects of microRNA molecules. (IMAGE)

National Research University Higher School of Economics

Many genomic mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are shaped by processes occurring in the intestines and lungs, where the virus acquires the ability to evade the inhibitory effects of microRNA molecules.

Caption

(A) MicroRNA (miRNA) repertoires of lung and intestine tissues. (B, C) Viral RNA mutations lead to the loss of the binding to miRNA seed region (binding motif). (D) Amounts of binding motifs weighted by miRNA repertoire decrease over time. (E) Dramatic drop in miRNA-binding sites in Omicron (BA.2-like) variants is due to mutations in NSP4 coding region.

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Anton Zhiyanov, HSE University

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