Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
05:23

Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 using Immuno RNA-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Published on: December 23, 2020

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Regulatory Cross Talk Between SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding and Replication Machinery in the Human Host

Shiek S S J Ahmed1, Prabu Paramasivam2,3, Kamal Raj3

  • 1Drug Discovery and Multi-Omics Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, India.

Frontiers in Physiology
|July 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 infects human lungs, identifying key proteins involved in viral replication. These findings highlight host vulnerabilities and suggest potential miRNA drug targets for COVID-19.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Network Biology

Background:

  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global health crisis.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To dissect the molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human lung.
  • To identify host proteins and signaling pathways hijacked by the virus.
  • To explore potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of two independent lung protein interactomes.
  • Identification and functional analysis of hub proteins within the interactome networks.
  • Analysis of correlations between viral replication proteins and comorbidities.
  • Investigation of links with other coronavirus infections.
  • Identification of interconnecting hubs and potential miRNA targets.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection differentially regulates key host proteins involved in viral replication.
  • Proteins in viral replication hubs are associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension, indicating increased severity in at-risk individuals.
  • Hub proteins show connections to other coronavirus infections (MERS, HCoVs), suggesting conserved infection patterns.
  • Five hub proteins interconnect the analyzed networks, facilitating viral replication upon receptor attachment.
  • Seven potential microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting the intermediate phase of infection are identified as promising therapeutic candidates.

Conclusions:

  • The study elucidates the intricate molecular interactions driving SARS-CoV-2 lung pathogenesis.
  • Host protein hijacking and network hubs play critical roles in viral replication and disease severity.
  • Identified miRNAs targeting key infection phases offer a novel therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
Keywords:
Covid-19SARS-CoV-2host mechanismmiRNA targetssystems biologytranscriptome

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