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SARS-CoV-2 mutations altering regulatory properties: Deciphering host's and virus's perspectives
Abul Bashar Mir Md Khademul Islam1, Md Abdullah-Al-Kamran Khan2
1Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Gene Reports
|June 16, 2021
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 mutations impact host miRNA binding and virus function. Some mutations disrupt viral internal ribosome entry site (IRES) structure, potentially reducing infectivity and offering insights into global variations.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The SARS-CoV-2 virus has undergone numerous genetic mutations during its global spread.
- Understanding these mutations is crucial for comprehending viral evolution and pathogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional significance of SARS-CoV-2 mutations.
- To analyze the impact of mutations on host microRNA (miRNA) binding and the viral internal ribosome entry site (IRES).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of host miRNA binding affinity to mutated viral genomes.
- Investigation of the secondary structure of the viral IRES.
- Functional enrichment analysis of miRNA targets.
Main Results:
- Five host miRNAs lost binding affinity to the mutated viral genome, while five others gained affinity.
- Mutations in the IRES were found to disrupt its secondary structure, potentially impairing viral function.
- Enrichment analysis indicated that miRNA targets are involved in host immune signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 mutations alter host-virus interactions at the miRNA level.
- Specific IRES mutations may reduce viral infectivity by disrupting its structure.
- These findings provide insights into viral evolution and geographical variations in SARS-CoV-2.
Keywords:
COVID-19COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019FDR, False Discovery RateIRESIRES, Internal ribosome entry siteMutationsSARS-CoV-2SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2SNP, Single Nucleotide PolymorphismViral SNPsmiRNA, microRNAmiRNA-microRNAMore Related Videos
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