SARS-COV-2 AND BETACORONAVIRUS: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN 8 MONTHS?

In 2019, a new human pandemic coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China. We present the knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 compared to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The SARS-CoV-2 is similar to other coronaviruses, nevertheless, differences were observed. Cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 is facilitated by cleavage of spike protein by furin. The receptor-binding motif of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein forms a larger binding interface and more contacts with host receptor ACE2 compared those of in SARS-CoV. Unlike other coronaviruses, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has a motif; known to bind integrins. Nucleocapsid protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SA RS-CoV-2 display some structural differences compared to those of SARS-CoV as well. These features may increase the efficiency of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and indicate the putative targets for specific antiviral therapy.