Genetic and structure of novel coronavirus COVID-19 and molecular mechanisms in the pathogenicity of coronaviruses

ABSTRACT

The recently identified 2019 novel coronaviruses (2019-nCoV) has caused extra-human infections. 2019-nCoV identified a global threat that is causing an outbreak of unusual viral pneumonia in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronaviruses 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Considering the relatively high identity of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV, it is urgent to assess the cross-reactivity of anti-SARS-CoV antibodies with 2019-nCoV spike protein, which could have important implications for rapid development of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies against 2019-nCoV. The zinc metallopeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the only known human homolog of the key regulator of blood pressure ACE. ACE2 also serves as the cellular entry point for the SARS virus, therefore, a prime target for pharmacological intervention. SARS-CoV-2 uses the SARS-CoV receptor for entry and the serine protease transmembrane protease serine 2 for spike (S) protein priming. That it is still necessary to develop novel mAbs that could bind specifically to 2019-nCoV RBD. Cell entry of coronaviruses depends on the binding of the viral S proteins to cellular receptors and S protein priming by host cell proteases. A transmembrane protease serine 2 inhibitor approved for clinical use blocked entry and might constitute a treatment option. Our results reveal important commonalities between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infection and identify a potential target for antiviral intervention. This review will help understand the biology and potential risk of CoVs that exist in richness in wildlife such as bats. We provide a brief introduction to the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV and interaction between the RBD of coronavirus spike protein and ACE2.