SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19): Cellular and biochemical properties and pharmacological insights into new therapeutic

Hakan Parlakpinar1, Mehmet Gunata1

  • 1Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.

Insights

This review covers the virology and epidemiology of COVID-19, including its effects on the cardiovascular system and potential treatments. It offers insights for researchers studying disease prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, rapidly became a global health emergency.
  • The virus enters cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), primarily affecting the respiratory tract.
  • Elderly individuals and those with chronic conditions face higher risks of severe illness and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the virology, epidemiology, and replication of SARS-CoV-2.
  • To discuss the relationship between COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases.
  • To present current information on COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific data on COVID-19.
  • Discussion of virology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of clinical and laboratory findings, including cardiovascular implications.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 presents with symptoms like fever, fatigue, cough, anorexia, and dyspnea.
  • ACE2 is crucial for viral entry into host cells.
  • Ongoing research focuses on drug and vaccine development.

Conclusions:

  • This review consolidates current knowledge on COVID-19 for researchers.
  • It highlights the importance of understanding the virus's interaction with the cardiovascular system.
  • Provides guiding data for research in pharmacology, cell biology, and physiology related to COVID-19.

Related Concept Videos

Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design01:28

Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design

Drug design is a dynamic field that involves discovering and developing new medications based on specific biological targets. This process heavily relies on structure-activity relationships (SAR) and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) to guide the design and optimization of efficient drugs.
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence...
1.5K
Conjugated Proteins02:50

Conjugated Proteins

Simple proteins and protein complexes contain only amino acids. In contrast, many other proteins, called conjugated proteins, covalently bond with non-protein moieties.
Nucleoproteins are protein complexes that contain nucleic acids, categorized as deoxyribonucleoproteins (DNPs) or ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) respectively. The nucleosome is a typical example of a DNP where nuclear DNA is associated with histone proteins. The major antigen for the Covid-19 virus SARS-CoV is an RNP that is critical...
25.0K
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
747
Drug Discovery: Overview01:26

Drug Discovery: Overview

Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...
10.6K
Pharmacodynamics: Overview and Principles01:21

Pharmacodynamics: Overview and Principles

Pharmacodynamics is a scientific field that delves into drugs' intricate biochemical, cellular, and physiological effects on the human body. The study of pharmacodynamics helps us understand how drugs interact with the body and elicit various responses.
Most drugs' effects result from their interactions with drug receptors or targets within the body. These interactions trigger specific responses at the cellular or systemic level. Drug receptors can be found on the surfaces of cells or...
2.6K
G Protein-coupled Receptors01:15

G Protein-coupled Receptors

G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
15.5K