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Multifactorial Traits of SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry Related to Diverse Host Proteases and Proteins

Jaehwan You1, Jong Hyeon Seok1, Myungsoo Joo2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Institute for Viral Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.

Biomolecules & Therapeutics
|April 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 enters cells is key to developing new treatments. This review details the cellular machinery involved, guiding future antiviral drug development for infectious diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Emerging infectious diseases, like the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, necessitate robust public health strategies.
  • Current global health systems are still developing effective therapeutics and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
  • While social distancing is critical, symptomatic treatments are vital for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the cellular machinery essential for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To elucidate the biomolecular mechanisms underlying viral entry.
  • To provide a guide for developing novel antiviral drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms.
  • Analysis of cellular proteases and receptor-associated proteins involved in viral entry.
  • Discussion of the multifactorial traits of virus entry.

Main Results:

  • The molecular properties of SARS-CoV-2 have been rapidly identified, aiding therapeutic and vaccine development.
  • The detailed biomolecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly viral entry, remains incompletely understood.
  • Viral entry is a critical factor in determining disease virulence.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding viral entry mechanisms is crucial for controlling the spread of emerging viruses.
  • Identifying and functionally analyzing cellular proteins involved in viral entry can disrupt virus propagation.
  • Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 cellular machinery will significantly aid in the development of effective antiviral drugs.
Keywords:
Antiviral drugsCell entryCellular proteinsSARS-CoV-2

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