Genome Composition and Divergence of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Originating in China

Abstract

An in-depth annotation of the newly discovered coronavirus (2019-nCoV) genome has revealed differences between 2019-nCoV and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or SARS-like coronaviruses. A systematic comparison identified 380 amino acid substitutions between these coronaviruses, which may have caused functional and pathogenic divergence of 2019-nCoV.

The deadly coronaviruses: The 2003 SARS pandemic and the 2020 novel coronavirus epidemic in China

“…Zhou et al also confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 is able to use all but mouse ACE2 as an entry receptor for ACE2-expressing cells, but not cells without ACE2, indicating that the cell receptor for SARS-CoV-2 could be ACE2, and not other coronavirus receptors such as aminopeptidase N and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 [94]. Huang also showed that the affinity of the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD binding to ACE2 is less than that of SARS-CoV [95]. The genomic structure of SARS-CoV-2 is 5′-UTR-orf1a-orf1ab-S (Spike)-E (Envelope)-M (Membrane)-N (Nucleocapsid)-3′UTRpoly (A) tail.…”

“…The genomic structure is shown in Fig. 7 and shows greater than 99.9% consistency [19,[91][92][93][94][95].…”

“…For example, the 8a protein is present in SARS-CoV and absent in SARS-CoV-2; the 3b protein is 154 amino acids in SARS-CoV but shorter in SARS-CoV-2 with only 22 amino acids. Further studies are needed to characterize how these differences affect the functionality and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 [95].…”

Review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on current evidence

“…SARS-CoV-2, like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, belongs to β-coronavirus. The genome sequence homology of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS is about 79%, the 2019-nCoV is closer to the SARS-like bat CoVs (MG772933) than the SARS-CoV [7], which is descended from SARS-like bat CoVs. Interestingly, for high similarity of receptor-binding domain (RBD) in Spike-protein, several analyses reveal that SARS-CoV-2 uses angiotension-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as receptor, just like as SARS-CoV [8].…”

Identification of the hyper-variable genomic hotspot for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

“…By February 14, 2020, a total of 66,576 2 confirmed cases of COVID-19, people infected with SARS-CoV-2, were reported in China, leading to 1,524 deaths, per the Chinese CDC (http://2019ncov.chinacdc.cn/2019-nCoV/). Several full genomic sequences of this virus have been released for the study of its evolutionary origin and molecular characteristics [2][3][4]. Here, we analyzed the potential mutations that may have evolved after the virus became epidemic among humans and also the mutations resulting in the human adaptation.…”