Figure 3. High frequency mutations in Nsp2 may provide host specific advantages.
T85I mutation which is present in 13% of all the SARS-CoV-2 sequences is at the surface and may mediate host specific protein-protein interactions (Nsp2 surface in cyan, T85 in orange). Another mutated site, I120 points into a hydrophobic core stabilizing a small helix which is attached to a highly positively charged surface loop. Phe substitution at the site may further stabilize the helix. (zoomed panel, I120 in orange).