tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Future Virol
. 2020 Jul;15(7):409-417.
doi: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0163.
In silico identification of conserved cis-acting RNA elements in the SARS-CoV-2 genome
Bader Y Alhatlani[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to computationally predict conserved RNA sequences and structures known as cis-acting RNA elements (CREs) in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome.
Materials & methods: Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze and predict CREs by obtaining viral sequences from available databases.
Results: Computational analysis revealed the presence of RNA stem-loop structures within the 3' end of the ORF1ab region analogous to previously identified SARS-CoV genomic packaging signals. Alignment-based RNA secondary structure predictions of the 5' end of the SARS-CoV-2 genome also identified conserved CREs.
Conclusion: These CREs may be potential vaccine and/or antiviral therapeutic targets; however, further studies are warranted to confirm their roles in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle.
Keywords: RNA structure; RNA virus; SARS-CoV-2; cis-acting RNA elements.
. 2020 Jul;15(7):409-417.
doi: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0163.
In silico identification of conserved cis-acting RNA elements in the SARS-CoV-2 genome
Bader Y Alhatlani[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33005212
- PMCID: PMC7507811
- DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0163
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to computationally predict conserved RNA sequences and structures known as cis-acting RNA elements (CREs) in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome.
Materials & methods: Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze and predict CREs by obtaining viral sequences from available databases.
Results: Computational analysis revealed the presence of RNA stem-loop structures within the 3' end of the ORF1ab region analogous to previously identified SARS-CoV genomic packaging signals. Alignment-based RNA secondary structure predictions of the 5' end of the SARS-CoV-2 genome also identified conserved CREs.
Conclusion: These CREs may be potential vaccine and/or antiviral therapeutic targets; however, further studies are warranted to confirm their roles in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle.
Keywords: RNA structure; RNA virus; SARS-CoV-2; cis-acting RNA elements.