Scientists told about the peculiarities of the genome of the novel coronavirus

Researchers have discovered numerous new RNA and multiple unknown chemical modification of viral RNA.

Microbiologists from South Korea made the first genetic map of the novel coronavirus. According to them, the genome of SARS-CoV-2 contains many so-called subgenomic RNA, whose function is not well understood. But a lot of scientists found out. The study is published in the journal Cell.

Scientists explain that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the group of RNA viruses, a fairly complex genome which is encrypted in a very long molecule of ribonucleic acid (RNA). Penetrating the host cell, the virus replicates genomic RNA, and creates many smaller, called subgenotype. These subgenomic RNA used for the synthesis of various proteins that build new virus particles, thorns, shells, membranes.

Thus, if scientists can find a way to suppress subgenomic RNA, then this will break the life cycle of the virus in the body. But first we need to understand, is responsible for what each of those mysterious chains.

The researchers experimentally confirmed the presence in the genome of the coronavirus nine of the ten previously known subgenomic RNA (included in the structure of virus particles and translated into the specific viral proteins), and also found dozens of unknown, formed at different stages of the life cycle of the virus in the merger and decomposition. In addition, they found out exactly where those genes in the genomic RNA.

“It’s not just the detail of the structure of SARS-CoV-2. We found numerous new RNA and multiple unknown chemical modification of viral RNA” – presented in a press release IBS the words of Professor Kim Nari.

The authors suggest that modified during the life cycle of RNA can obtain new properties that distinguish them from non-GM, even if they carry the same genetic information. According to the researchers, the identification of unknown characteristics of RNA will pick up the key to combat the novel coronavirus.

Earlier it was reported that researchers have identified three new species of coronavirus.

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