Origin and Structural Biology of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)

Abstract

Introduction: A recent rapid outbreak of infection around the globe has been caused by a novel coronavirus, now known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan city of Hubei province, People’s Republic of China.Methods: We reviewed the currently available literature on coronaviruses.Results: Coronaviruses are a group of enveloped viruses with non-segmented, single-stranded, and positive-sense RNA genomes. Although 13 variation sites in open reading frames have been identified among SARS-CoV-2 strains, no mutation has been observed so far in envelop protein. The origin and structural biology of SARS-CoV-2 in details are discussed.Conclusions: Origin and structural biology will help the researchers identify the virus's mechanism in the host and drug design. Currently, no clinical treatments or prevention strategies are available for any human coronavirus.