Real-time RT-PCR Allelic Discrimination Assay for Detection of N501Y Mutation in the Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with Variants of Concern

Abstract The N501Y amino acid mutation caused by a single point substitution A23063T in the spike gene of SARS-CoV2 is possessed by the three most common variants of concern - B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1. A rapid screening tool using this mutation is important for surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic.