the”Special signs” SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2 to create a universal drug against lethal infections.
Scientists have found the common features of lethal coronaviruses that distinguish them from those that cause regular seasonal flu. Experts have identified from SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2 eleven total genomic sequences responsible for high pathogenicity. Thanks to them, the threat is more effective than other strains can penetrate into the nucleus of infected cells. Biologists also drew attention to specific features in the protein the cusp of a new pathogen, allowing it to adapt to another host. Russian experts believe that this study is extremely important to prevent future outbreaks and for the creation of effective drugs — in particular, from COVID-19.
a team of researchers from the National center for biotechnology information, USA (NCBI), which included the famous Russian biologist Eugene koonin have carried out a bioinformatics analysis of the genomes of all coronaviruses, are pathogenic for humans. At the moment we know that seven. The results are not yet available in the format of the Preprint (articles, not passed peer review in a scientific journal. — “News”).
Four of the studied pathogen does not represent a special hazard and is characterized by mild symptoms of SARS. And three SARS (the virus that caused SARS in 2002), MERS (the virus that triggered the middle East respiratory syndrome in 2013), and SARS-CoV-2 (it started with a pandemic COVID-19) is deadly for people. The researchers asked questions what is the difference between highly pathogenic strains and whether they have similarities.
“We present in-depth molecular analysis that will help to restore the evolutionary origins of the high pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses pose a threat to human lives. We have identified key genomic features that distinguish SARS-CoV-2, and viruses behind two deadly outbreaks — SARS and MERS,” — said in the text of the Preprint.
This discovery is extremely important, because in the future identified “badges” will help to create a universal drug against pathogenic strains, has told “news” the Professor of Biophysics at MIPT (University-participant of the project of increase of competitiveness of education “5-100”), Oleg Batishchev.
— understanding the molecular mechanisms of action of all viral proteins, their interactions among themselves and with cellular components opens the way for the creation of medicines. They selectively act on the critical stages of reproduction of viruses within an infected cell, — said the expert.
Scientists from NCBI, it was shown that the lethal coronavirus causing fatal pneumonia, there are changes in the so-called N-Belk�� (nucleocapsid protein that is inside the virus particle, and it is “wound” of viral RNA. — “News”). It turned out that all three pathogenic strains amplified signals nuclear localization of these proteins, i.e. their ability to penetrate inside the nucleus and out of it. Less dangerous coronaviruses such property was found.
However, experts still are unable to answer the question of why they need to penetrate it into the kernel, not just in the cage. Perhaps the pathogen is thus “cheating” cell-mediated immunity, said Oleg Batishchev.
— it is Clear that these mutations in viral proteins that allow us to interfere with the normal operation of mechanisms of defense against foreign molecules, will contribute to a more rapid spread of the virus. Now we are faced with a variant of effective mutations.
the scientists Also found changes in the S-proteins (whites of the cusp, located on the surface of viral particles, with which they are associated with human cells. — “News”) of pathogen families of SARS and MERS. The proof was discovered of the insertion, not found in other coronaviruses. They are located in those parts of the proteins that are responsible for the recognition of human receptors and for fusion of the membranes of the pathogen and the cells after the interaction with the receptor.
“These inserts can allow the cusp to be more pliable when binding to the receptor”, the article says. The new Wuhan coronavirus, these areas possess the highest “flexibility” that allows him effectively to move from host to host. So he, unlike MERS, could be widely disseminated in the human population.
the Obtained data on the genomic characteristics of lethal viruses is extremely important for epidemiologists, told “Izvestia” a senior researcher of the Institute of X-Bio TSU Maria Orlova. And not only for drug development.
the Study is very interesting because a better understanding of the mechanisms of viral pathogenicity, and zoonotic transmission is crucial for predicting and preventing future outbreaks of infection, — said the expert.
Experts believe that research in this direction should continue in order to elucidate the mechanism of the interaction of viruses with cells in more detail.
For example, SARS-CoV causes COVID 2-19 — a disease that different occurs in patients. Some strain causes only mild flu, and others die from severe forms of pneumonia.
Previously, scientists from the Institute of infectious diseases at Imperial College London has put forward the version that the great importance of viral load. The more of a pathogen in the organism, the more severe form may make the disease. ��however, while this is only one of numerous assumptions. Accurate data on how the virus behaves in the body of a particular patient, continue no. We only know the risk groups in which the disease may take a more severe form.
