The molecular basis of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-cov-2)

ABSTRACT

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a positive singlestranded ribonucleic acid (ssRNA) virus in the Coronavridae family that was first identified in December 2019. The virus causes a disease named COVID-19, which is associated with various respiratory symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening complications. The pandemic state was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Since then, the viral genome and structure have been extensively studied. This review aims to present the most recent advances in the SARS-CoV-2. The viral genome encodes 16 non-structural proteins involved in viral replication and transcription, four structural proteins assembled to form the virions, and at least six accessory proteins involved in viral pathogenicity and virions assembly. Being an RNA virus, the SARS-CoV-2 genome undergoes rapid mutations. Several thousand mutations in the submitted genomes compared with the first strain have been reported since the pandemic's beginning. Some mutations such as the ''Cluster 5'' variant, VOC 202012/01, and the N501Y mutation raised public health concerns globally because they could affect the virus transmissibility, disease severity, diagnostic methods, and vaccine development. The virus infects humans by recognizing the ACE2 receptor on the human cells and the TMPRSS2 proteolytic effect. The gold standard diagnostic method based on the WHO is nucleic acid amplification testing;however, several other non-molecular and radiological testing could also be beneficial. Several trials have been initiated to produce an effective vaccine, more than 60 have reached clinical trials, and some have recently been approved. The leading vaccines are the RNA-based ones;BNT162b2 and Moderna. Further studies are required to evaluate the vaccines' effectiveness, diagnostic efficacy, and disease management to keep pace with the ongoing viral evolution. © 2022, An-Najah National University. All rights reserved.