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Implications of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations for Genomic RNA Structure and Host microRNA Targeting.
Hosseini Rad Sm, Ali; McLellan, Alexander D.
  • Hosseini Rad Sm A; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9010, Otago, New Zealand.
  • McLellan AD; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9010, Otago, New Zealand.
Int J Mol Sci ; 21(13)2020 Jul 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1389380
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ABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a recently-emerged zoonotic pathogen already well adapted to transmission and replication in humans. Although the mutation rate is limited, recently introduced mutations in SARS-CoV-2 have the potential to alter viral fitness. In addition to amino acid changes, mutations could affect RNA secondary structure critical to viral life cycle, or interfere with sequences targeted by host miRNAs. We have analysed subsets of genomes from SARS-CoV-2 isolates from around the globe and show that several mutations introduce changes in Watson-Crick pairing, with resultant changes in predicted secondary structure. Filtering to targets matching miRNAs expressed in SARS-CoV-2-permissive host cells, we identified ten separate target sequences in the SARS-CoV-2 genome; three of these targets have been lost through conserved mutations. A genomic site targeted by the highly abundant miR-197-5p, overexpressed in patients with cardiovascular disease, is lost by a conserved mutation. Our results are compatible with a model that SARS-CoV-2 replication within the human host is constrained by host miRNA defences. The impact of these and further mutations on secondary structures, miRNA targets or potential splice sites offers a new context in which to view future SARS-CoV-2 evolution, and a potential platform for engineering conditional attenuation to vaccine development, as well as providing a better understanding of viral tropism and pathogenesis.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: RNA, Viral / Genome, Viral / MicroRNAs / Betacoronavirus Type of study: Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: IJMS21134807

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: RNA, Viral / Genome, Viral / MicroRNAs / Betacoronavirus Type of study: Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Language: English Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: IJMS21134807