在SARS-CoV-2谱系中,RNA元件对其病毒生命周期至关重要,包括基因组复制和基因表达,已被确认。尽管如此,冠状病毒中这些RNA区域的精确结构和功能仍然知之甚少.这种知识的缺乏指出需要进一步的研究,以更好地了解病毒生物学的这些关键方面,在时间上,为未来的疫情做好准备。在这项研究中,作用于α-的顺式RNA结构的计算机模拟分析,beta-,gamma-,和deltacoronavirus属提供了冠状病毒中这些元件结构的存在和适应的详细视图。结果强调了这些顺式元件在病毒生物学中的重要性及其在不同病毒变体之间的变异性。某些群体中的一些冠状病毒变体,取决于顺式元素(茎-环1和-2;假结茎-环1和-2,以及s2m),表现出功能适应性。此外,确定了SARS变种中s2m元素的构象柔性,表明该元素在该病毒组中的共同进化。二级结构的变异性表明可能与复制过程有关的基因组适应,遗传调控,以及每个变体的特定致病性。结果表明,冠状病毒中的RNA结构可以适应并进化到不同的病毒变体,这对病毒适应有重要意义,致病性,和未来的治疗策略。
In the SARS-CoV-2 lineage, RNA elements essential for its viral life cycle, including genome replication and gene expression, have been identified. Still, the precise structures and functions of these RNA regions in coronaviruses remain poorly understood. This lack of knowledge points out the need for further research to better understand these crucial aspects of viral biology and, in time, prepare for future outbreaks. In this research, the in silico analysis of the cis RNA structures that act in the alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and deltacoronavirus genera has provided a detailed view of the presence and adaptation of the structures of these elements in coronaviruses. The results emphasize the importance of these cis elements in viral biology and their variability between different viral variants. Some coronavirus variants in some groups, depending on the cis element (stem-loop1 and -2; pseudoknot stem-loop1 and -2, and s2m), exhibited functional adaptation. Additionally, the conformation flexibility of the s2m element in the SARS variants was determined, suggesting a
coevolution of this element in this viral group. The variability in secondary structures suggests genomic adaptations that may be related to replication processes, genetic regulation, as well as the specific pathogenicity of each variant. The results suggest that RNA structures in coronaviruses can adapt and evolve toward different viral variants, which has important implications for viral adaptation, pathogenicity, and future therapeutic strategies.