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Coronaviruses

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ISSN (Print): 2666-7967
ISSN (Online): 2666-7975

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Letter to the Editor

The Genomes of SARS-CoV-2 and Related Coronaviruses: Are Accessory Proteins Key for Pathogenesis?

Author(s): Saikat Samanta and Rudra Prasad Saha*

Volume 2, Issue 7, 2021

Published on: 09 December, 2020

Article ID: e250621188925 Pages: 3

DOI: 10.2174/2666796701999201209143320

Abstract

Objective: In January 2020, scientists deciphered the first genome of SARS-CoV-2 that has created a ravage in the world by infecting over 30 million people worldwide with above 0.95 million deaths as of mid-September 2020. With no potent therapeutics against COVID-19, researchers around the world are relentlessly working for the development of a vaccine that can ease the pain the world is suffering today, both in terms of economic and psychological instability. Understanding the genome of SARS-CoV-2 is essential to decipher the keys that would help scientists to develop drugs or vaccines to prevent the disease.

Methods: Coronaviruses are not unknown to the human as other than SARS-CoV-2, at least six additional coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1) are known that causes mild to severe diseases in human. We have compared the sequences of these seven coronaviruses to identify the key regions which are responsible for pathogenesis.

Results: The genomes of the seven coronaviruses that are known to infect humans differ significantly, especially in the regions of accessory genes.

Conclusion: The analysis of these virus genomes is the key to find out targets for the development of a potent drug or vaccine against COVID-19.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, coronavirus, vaccine development, accessory proteins, pathogenesis.

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