Diversity of SARS-CoV-2 genome among various strains identified in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a significant challenge worldwide. Rapid genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 is going on across the globe to detect mutations and genomic modifications in SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we have sequenced 23 SARS-CoV-2-positive samples collected during the first pandemic from the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. We observed a range of already reported mutations (2−22), including D614G, L452R, Q613H, Q677H, and T1027I in the S gene; S194L in the N gene; and Q57H, L106F, and T175I in the ORF3. A few unreported mutations, such as P309S in the ORF1ab gene, T379I in the N gene, and L52F and V77I in the ORF3a gene, were also detected. Phylogenetic genome analysis showed similarity with other SARS-CoV-2 viruses reported from Uttar Pradesh. The observed mutations may be associated with SARS-CoV-2 virus pathogenicity or disease severity.