The<unk><unk>  has mutations in the gene encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein causing the substitutions D614G, T478K, P681R and L452R. It is identified as the 21A, 21I, and 21J clades under the Nextstrain phylogenetic classification system. Names The virus has also been referred to by the term "Indian<unk> " as it was originally detected in India. However, the<unk><unk>  is only one of three<unk> s of the lineage B.1.617, all of which were first detected in India. At the end of May 2021, the WHO assigned the label<unk>  to lineage B.1.617.2 after introducing a new policy of using Greek letters for<unk> s of concern and<unk> s of interest. Other sublineages of B.1.617 There are three sublineages of lineage B.1.617 categorised so far. B.1.617.1 (Kappa<unk>  was designated a<unk>  Under Investigation in April 2021 by Public Health England. Later in April 2021, two other<unk> s B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3 were designated as<unk> s Under Investigation. While B.1.617.3 shares the L452R and E484Q mutations found in B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 lacks the E484Q mutation. B.1.617.2 has the T478K mutation, not found in B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.3. Simultaneously, the ECDC released a brief maintaining all three sublineages of B.1.617 as VOI, estimating that a "greater understanding of the risks related to these B.1.617 lineages is needed before any modification of current measures can be considered". Mutations File:SARS-CoV-2<unk><unk> .Amino acid mutations of<unk>  plotted on a genome map of SARS-CoV-2 with a focus on Spike. + Gene Nucleotide Amino acid ORF1b P314L P1000L Spike G142D T19R R158G L452R T478K D614G P681R D950N E156del F157del M I82T N D63G R203M D377Y ORF3a S26L ORF7a V82A T120I Sources: CDC Covariants.org The<unk> / B.1.617.2 genome has 13 mutations (15 or 17 according to some sources, depending on whether more common mutations are included) which produce alterations in the amino-acid sequences of the proteins it encodes. The list of spike protein mutations is: 19R, (G142D), Δ156-157, R158G, L452R, T478K, D614G, P681R, D950N according to GVN, or T19R, G142D, del 156-157, R158G, L452R, T478K, D614G, P681R according to Genscript Four of them, all of which are in the virus's spike protein code, are of particular concern: * D614G. The substitution at position 614, an aspartic acid-to-glycine substitution, is shared with other highly transmissible<unk> s like Alpha, Beta and Gamma. * T478K. The exchange at position 478 is a threonine-to-lysine substitution. * L452R. The substitution at position 452, a leucine-to-arginine substitution, confers stronger affinity of the spike protein for the ACE2 receptor and decreased recognition capability of the immune system. * P681R. The substitution at position 681, a proline-to-arginine substitution, which, according to William A. Haseltine, may boost cell-level infectivity of the<unk>  "by facilitating cleavage of the S precursor protein to the active S1/S2 configuration". The E484Q mutation is not present in the B.1.617.2 genome. Lineages As of August 2021,<unk><unk> s have been subdivided in the Pango lineage designation system into<unk> s from AY.1 to AY.28. However, there is no information on whether such classification correlates with biological characteristic changes of the virus. It is said that, as of August 2021, AY.4 to AY.11 are predominant in the UK, AY.12 in Israel, AY.2, AY.3, AY.13, AY.14, AY.25 in the US, AY.20 in the US and Mexico, AY.15 in Canada, AY.16 in Kenya, AY.17 in Ireland and Northern Ireland, AY.19 in South Africa, AY.21 in Italy and Switzerland, AY.22 in Portugal, AY.24 in Indonesia, and AY.23 in Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea.<unk>  plus"<unk> <unk>  with K417N originally corresponded to lineages AY.1 and AY.2, subsequently also lineage AY.3, and has been nicknamed<unk>  plus" or "Nepal<unk> ". It has the K417N mutation, which is also present in the Beta<unk> . The exchange at position 417 is a lysine-to-asparagine substitution. As of mid-October 2021, the AY.3<unk>  accounted for a cumulative prevalence of approximately 5% in the United States, and 2% worldwide. In mid-October the AY.4.2<unk>  sublineage was expanding in England, and being monitored and assessed. It contains mutations A222V and Y145H in its spike protein, not considered of particular concern. It has been suggested that AY.4.2 might be 10-15% more transmissible than the original<unk><unk> . Mid-October 2021, AY.4.2 accounted for an estimated 10% of cases, and has led to an additional growth rate rising to about 1% (10% of 10%) per generational time of five days or so. This additional growth rate would grow with increasing prevalence. Without AY.4.2 and no other changes, the number of cases in the UK would have been about 10% lower. AY.4.2 grows about 15% faster per week. In the UK it was reclassified as a<unk>  under investigation" (but not "of concern") in late October 2021. In Denmark, after a drop in AY.4.2 cases, a new fast surge was detected and monitored, but was not yet considered a cause of concern.
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