Recently, JN.1, the sub-variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been classified as a distinct variant from the parent lineage of BA.2.86 by the World Health Organization.
It was in August 2023 when the BA.2.86 lineage was identified for the very first time.
It is important to note that the BA.2.86 lineage is actually more phylogenetically different from the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB ones.
Now, there is only one mutation in the spike protein that actually makes the JN.1 variant different from the BA.2.86 or the Pirola.
This is because the JN.1 is linked with enhanced transmissibility chances because of its mutations in the spike protein.
While the pandemic is over, new COVID variants are coming up with every passing month and demand serious evaluation. One of them is the JN1. What exactly is the JN.1? Let's understand.
Recently, JN.1, the sub-variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been classified as a distinct variant from the parent lineage of BA.2.86 by the World Health Organization. This new sub-variant is rapidly spreading and making many of its prey. Here we discuss how the JN.1 has emerged, and what potential implications the new variant holds.
How did JN.1 emerge? It was in late 2023 when the JN.1 i.e. BA.2:86.1 took birth as a descendant of the lineage of BA-2.86 of the SARS-COV2. Seeing the increasing number of cases, it won't be wrong to say that the COVID variant may either be more contagious, or it may be more capable of eluding the medical defenses. It was in August 2023 when the BA.2.86 lineage was identified for the very first time. It is important to note that the BA.2.86 lineage is actually more phylogenetically different from the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB ones. It is also quite distinct from the HK.3 and the EG5.1.
Is the virus immune evasive? Well, to answer this, one needs to understand its components. The BA.2.86 holds a total of 30 mutations and more in the spike (S) protein. This makes the virus highly immune and evasive. It is essential to note that the SL455F mutation may be helpful for the virus to enhance its transmissibility and make it more immune evasive than others. Now, there is only one mutation in the spike protein that actually makes the JN.1 variant different from the BA.2.86 or the Pirola. That mutation is actually a single one. At present, the World Health Organization considers JN.1 as a VOI (variant of interest). This is because the JN.1 is linked with enhanced transmissibility chances because of its mutations in the spike protein. However, not much data is available till now on its severity.
