The global pandemic that shut down the world in 2020 was caused by the virus, SARS CoV-2. The chemistry of the various nonstructural proteins (NSP3, NSP5, NSP12, NSP13, NSP14, NSP15, NSP16) of SARS CoV-2 is discussed. Secondly, a recent major focus of this pandemic is the variant strains of SARS CoV-2 that are increasingly occurring and more transmissible. One strain, called “D614G”, possesses a glycine (G) instead of an aspartate (D) at position 614 of the spike protein. Additionally, other emerging strains called “501Y.V1” and “501Y.V2” have several differences in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein (N501Y) as well as other locations. These structural changes may enhance the interaction between the spike protein and the ACE2 receptor of the host, increasing infectivity. The global pandemic caused by SARS CoV-2 is a rapidly evolving situation, emphasizing the importance of continuing the efforts to interrogate and understand this virus.

2020 年导致世界停摆的全球大流行是由 SARS CoV-2 病毒引起的。讨论了 SARS CoV-2 的各种非结构蛋白（NSP3、NSP5、NSP12、NSP13、NSP14、NSP15、NSP16）的化学性质。其次，这次大流行最近的一个主要焦点是 SARS CoV-2 的变异株，它们越来越多地出现并且更容易传播。一种称为“D614G”的菌株在刺突蛋白的 614 位具有甘氨酸 (G) 而不是天冬氨酸 (D)。此外，称为“501Y.V1”和“501Y.V2”的其他新兴菌株在刺突蛋白 (N501Y) 的受体结合域以及其他位置有几个差异。这些结构变化可能会增强刺突蛋白与宿主ACE2受体之间的相互作用，从而增加传染性。