Question

Explain how SARS-COV-2 replicate?

Answer 1

Coronavirus are enveloped RNA viruses which cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This RNA is composed of around 30,000 nucleotides which makes up genes for viral replication and proteins. This genomic RNA also acts as a mRNA for the translation of proteins for viral replication. Translation is made possible by using ribosomes of the host cell. This translation leads to the production of Replicase transcriptase proteins. These proteins along with cellular proteins assemble together to make a Replication-transcription complexes. This complex help in the replication of the viral genome.

Steps involving in SARS CoV-2 replication

Entry into the host cell by binding to the cell surface receptor and fusion of the membrane.

Release RNA is translated to produce RNA dependent DNA polymerase.

With the help of RNA polymerase a full negative template strand is synthesised.

Subgenomic RNA is synthesised from the negative template.

Translation of these subgenomic mRNAs gives rise to viral coat proteins which leads to the viral assembly and finally escape from the cell.