Cellular host factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Area of Science:

• Virology and Molecular Biology
• Infectious Diseases
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents a significant global health and economic crisis.
• There is an urgent need for effective antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2 due to the lack of approved treatments.
• Understanding virus-host interactions is critical for identifying novel therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize proviral host factors essential for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To discuss cellular processes vital for the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle.
• To identify host factors targetable by existing or investigational drugs for COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

• Functional genetic screens
• Interactome screens
• Analysis of 'omics' data
• Review of existing literature on SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus biology

Main Results:

• Numerous proviral host factors required for SARS-CoV-2 replication have been identified.
• Specific cellular pathways and processes are critical for the virus's life cycle.
• Parallels exist between SARS-CoV-2 host factors and those of other viruses, including non-coronaviruses.

Conclusions:

• Proviral host factors are promising targets for antiviral therapies due to their relative genetic stability.
• Several host factors identified can be targeted by clinically approved drugs or agents in clinical trials.
• Targeting host-dependent mechanisms offers a viable strategy for developing broad-spectrum antiviral therapies for COVID-19.