Biopolymers and cell. 2003; 19 (5): 414 - 431

Molecular aspects of organization and expression of SARS-CoV coronavirus genome

K. A. Odynets, A. I. Kornelyuk

The molecular aspects of SARS-CoV coronavirus genome structure-the ethiological agent of atypical pneumony or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrom are discussed. The general characterization of coronaviruses and virion structure are considered in the review. The data about 36 completely sequenced genomes of different SARS-CoV isolates and their phylogenetic analysis are discussed. The predited propoerties of eight subgenomic mRNAs and 14 open reading frames are described, as well as a synthesis of polyproteins, their processing and mature SARS-CoV proteins. The properties of the viral proteins and their functions are analyzed. The surface S-protein is one of the most important antigens of SARS-CoV and it plays an important role in the virus interaction with cell receptor. The potential sites of of S-protein binding with a putative receptor-aminopeptidase hAPN are predicted using both bioinformatics and stu.ctu.ral methods. The main M1"0 (3CLpr ) proteinase is a potential protein target for antiviral therapy. The modeling of 3D structure of Mpro (3CL? °) proteinase and its active site organization is considered in terms of design of potential SARS-CoV ihibitors.