The Recombination Potential between SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV from Cross-Species Spill-over Infections.
J Epidemiol Glob Health
; 11(2): 155-159, 2021 06.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1090439
ABSTRACT
Countries in the Middle-East (ME) are tackling two corona virus outbreaks simultaneously, Middle-Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the current Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Both viruses infect the same host (humans) and the same cell (type-II alveolar cells) causing lower respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. Molecularly, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 enter alveolar cells via spike proteins recognizing dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and angiotensin converting enzyme-II, respectively. Intracellularly, both viruses hide in organelles to generate negative RNA strands and initiate replication using very similar mechanisms. At the transcription level, both viruses utilise identical Transcription Regulatory Sequences (TRSs), which are known recombination cross-over points during replication, to transcribe genes. Using whole genome alignments of both viruses, we identify clusters of high sequence homology at ORF1a and ORF1b. Given the high recombination rates detected in SARS-CoV-2, we speculate that in co-infections recombination is feasible via TRS and/or clusters of homologies. Accordingly, here we recommend mitigation measure and testing for both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in ME countries.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Recombination, Genetic
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Coinfection
/
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Epidemiol Glob Health
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Jegh.k.201105.001
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS