Replicase Protein Mutations and Antiviral Drug Target Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in Goa, India (2020–2025)

This study documents mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 replicase polyprotein (ORF1ab; nsp1–nsp16) across 495 good-quality sequences from Goa, India (2020–2025; GISAID EPI_SET_260610gh) and evaluates their implications for antiviral drug targets. nsp12 P323L was detected in 98% of all sequences. Twenty-three mutations at or near established antiviral target sites were identified across the replicase proteome. The nsp6 Δ106–108 deletion was confirmed in Alpha and Omicron lineages. Variant-specific mutation patterns are documented for Delta and Omicron waves. Part of the West Coast and Western Ghats SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Series. Data: GISAID EpiCoV EPI_SET_260610gh (https://doi.org/10.55876/gis8.260610gh). We gratefully acknowledge all data contributors, i.e., the Authors and their Originating laboratories responsible for obtaining the specimens, and their Submitting laboratories for generating the genetic sequence and metadata and sharing via the GISAID Initiative, on which this research is based. GISAID citations: Elbe & Buckland-Merrett (2017) Global Challenges 1:33–46. doi:10.1002/gch2.1018 | Shu & McCauley (2017) Euro Surveill 22(13):30494. doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2017.22.13.30494 | Khare et al. (2021) China CDC Weekly 3(49):1049–1051. doi:10.46234/ccdcw2021.255