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Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
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Potential drug targets of SARS-CoV-2: From genomics to therapeutics

Anas Shamsi1, Taj Mohammad1, Saleha Anwar1

  • 1Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|February 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This review analyzes the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome and pathogenesis, focusing on therapeutic strategies for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Understanding viral mechanisms is key to developing effective treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Genomics
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • The global threat of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stems from SARS-CoV-2.
  • Developing effective COVID-19 therapeutics is challenging due to complex viral pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct an extensive analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome architecture.
  • To elucidate the mode of pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.
  • To emphasize potential therapeutic approaches for COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on SARS-CoV-2.
  • Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genome composition, including ORFs and structural proteins.
  • Examination of the role of the spike (S) protein in viral transmission and entry.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 possesses a ~29.9 kb RNA genome with similarities to other coronaviruses.
  • The genome encodes polyproteins processed into 16 non-structural proteins (NSPs).
  • Key structural proteins include Spike (S), Envelope (E), Membrane (M), and Nucleocapsid (N), with S protein crucial for host cell entry.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the SARS-CoV-2 genome and pathogenesis is vital for identifying therapeutic targets.
  • The S protein's role in viral entry presents a potential target for antiviral strategies.
  • Further research into viral mechanisms can guide the development of novel COVID-19 treatments.
Keywords:
Coronavirus disease 19Drug targetsSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2

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