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Review
. 2022 Jun;36(2):251-265.
doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.01.004. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

SARS-CoV-2 Virology

Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 Virology

Yijia Li et al. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in 2020 and has led to an unprecedented global pandemic. Understanding the virology behind SARS-CoV-2 infection has provided key insights into our efforts to develop antiviral agents and control the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, the authors focus on the genomic features of SARS-CoV-2, its intrahost and interhost evolution, viral dynamics in respiratory tract, and systemic dissemination.

Keywords: COVID-19; Monoclonal antibody; Receptor-binding domain; SARS-CoV-2; Viremia.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
SARS-CoV-2 genome structure. In SARS-CoV-2 genome, ORF1a/1b encodes polypeptides that undergo viral protease–mediated cleavage to nonstructural proteins 1 to 16. Spike (S), Envelope (E), Membrane (M), and N (nucleocapsid) genes encode corresponding structural proteins. Accessory factors including ORF3a, 6, 7a, 8, and 9b contribute to viral pathogenesis and immune evasion. ORF, open reading frame; UTR, untranslated region; −1PRF, −1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting.

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