JN.1 VARIANT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: After the identification of the JN.1 variant in India, the Central government issued an advisory to states.

JN.1 Variant of Covid

• About: JN.1 is a severely immune-evasive and fast-spreading variant, markedly different from XBB and all other prior versions of this virus.
• Origin: The sub-variant JN.1 traces its lineage to the BA.2.86 variant, commonly known as Pirola, rather than being an entirely new variant.
• Early Detection: The first instances of the JN.1 variant were identified in the United States in September. Globally, the initial case was detected as early as January in the same year.
• Genetic Distinction: While JN.1 shares similarities with Pirola, it only possesses one additional mutation on the spike protein. In contrast, Pirola harbors more than 30 mutations on this crucial protein.
• Symptoms: There is no evidence to suggest that JN.1 can cause worse symptoms or spread faster than the variants already in circulation.

Significance of Spike Protein Mutations

• The spike protein mutations in Sars-CoV-2, particularly in Pirola, are of paramount concern to researchers. 
• These mutations are vital as they impact the virus's ability to attach to receptors on human cells, facilitating its entry into the host cell.