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Genetic study reveals similarities and differences of COVID-19 and SARS viruses Digital analysis finds potential structural differences in viral genetic code Research news
The hairpin shape of these parts of the viruses’ genomes may help the viruses avoid a host’s immune system. Due to a few important mutations, the genome area named COV001 does not form a hairpin structure in the SARS virus (top left), but does in the COVID-19 virus (top right). Image first published in Wakida et al. 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.05.008
Researchers have identified specific portions of the genetic codes of the COVID-19 and SARS viruses that may promote the viruses’ lifecycles. The new technique is researchers’ first tool for determining what genetic sequences stored as RNA - DNA’s chemical cousin - are more stable.
“The current pandemic is very severe, and we want to contribute to the global acceleration of coronavirus research. Our research includes many types of viruses, but we decided to focus on our coronavirus results,” said Professor Nobuyoshi Akimitsu, leader of the research team that performed the work and an expert in how cells withstand stress at the University of Tokyo Isotope Science Center.
Many families of viruses - including influenza viruses and coronaviruses - store their genetic seque