Table 2.

Different overlapping significant mutations that are present in other VOCs and noted in Omicron. Important characteristic features of these mutations are also illustrated

Sl. No	Known mutations for other SARS-CoV-2 variants which present in Omicron	Characteristics of mutations	Reference
1	N501Y	Augmenting the binding capability of S-protein with the ACE2 receptor also increased viral transmission The mutations N501Y and Q498R combination significantly increased the ACE2 binding affinity	[48, 49]
2	D614G	High infectivity rate with greater binding affinity of S-protein to the ACE2 receptor Mutation added viral fitness to augment viral replication and transmission	[50, 51]
3	H655Y	Mutation in the proximal part of the furin cleavage site could increase the spike cleavage and accelerate the transmission	[52]
4	N679K	Boost up the spike cleavage pattern and significantly increase the viral transmission	[53]
5	P681H	Mutation results in a conformational change to enhance the binding affinity of furin to S-protein and support entry of virus within host cells, also increasing the infectivity Such mutation (P681H) found in Alpha variant, in Delta, is shown as alternate mutation (P681R)	[54]