Molecular advances in the cell biology of SARS-CoV and current disease prevention strategies

Stark, Caren J; Atreya, CD

Coronavirus genome structure and major gene-product functions have been known for years, but since they cause mild disease, selection of the virus-specific antiviral drugs was not a priority in the past. The SARS-CoV epidemic changed this selective view. , tabulated a screen of available antiviral agents against SARS virus in detail in their recent review [46] . The obvious molecular targets for SARS-CoV antiviral agents are the viral polymerase/replicase, protease, receptor, the viral mRNA cap-1 methyl transferase and NTPase/helicase [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] . In addition, a 32-nucleotide long, highly conserved RNA structure in the 3' untranslated region of coronaviruses and astroviruses was identified [55] . This structure resembles the 530 loop of 16s rRNA involved in translation initiation suggesting a possible role for this element in sequestering host translation machinery. The tertiary interactions of this structure create a tunnel lined with negative charge where Mg 2+ can bind. This unique structure presents an attractive target for tunnel binding antivi-