Identification of a Novel SARS-CoV-2 Strain with Truncated Protein in ORF8 Gene by Next Generation Sequencing

Using next generation sequencing technology, we identified a truncated protein mutation located in the ORF8 gene which is near the end of the genome from nucleotides 27,878 to 27,958. The mutation in this novel strain created a stop codon and translates to the novel truncated ORF8 protein, creating a much smaller protein than most other strains of SARS-CoV-2. The novel truncated mutation is most closely related to nine SARS-CoV-2 strains found in Washington state. Our results show a novel strain of SARS-CoV-2 with a truncated ORF8 gene. This shortens the translated ORF8 protein. The effects of ORF8 protein and its functions are still uncertain but a truncated ORF8 could affect antibody response, severity of infection and inflammatory response.