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Paper reading 7 - The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2

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截屏2023-08-28 01.16.35

One sentence summary

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, has a natural origin, with its genomic features suggesting adaptation through either zoonotic transfer or natural selection in humans.

Background

Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the origins of the virus have become a significant point of scientific inquiry. The genomic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 reveal its natural origin, with its genetic structure showing similarities to bat and pangolin coronaviruses, suggesting a potential zoonotic transfer.

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Method

  1. Comparative Genomic Analysis: The study delves into the genomic similarities and differences between SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses.
  2. Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) Examination: The study explores the RBD of the spike protein, crucial for binding to human ACE2 receptors.
  3. Polybasic Cleavage Site Investigation: The research investigates the unique polybasic cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2, which might influence its infectivity and host range.
  4. Zoonotic Transfer Hypotheses: The paper presents two scenarios for the virus’s origin, focusing on potential animal hosts and evolutionary processes.
  5. Laboratory Manipulation Theory Debunking: The study refutes the idea of laboratory manipulation based on the virus’s genomic features.
  6. Implications for Future Research: The paper underscores the importance of obtaining related viral sequences from animals to understand the virus’s origins.

Discussion

  1. Origins and Prevention: The origins of the pandemic are crucial to understand, as it aids in preventing future zoonotic events.
  2. Risk of Re-emergence: Depending on where SARS-CoV-2 adapted, there’s a risk of future re-emergence events.
  3. Importance of Ongoing Surveillance: Identifying close viral relatives of SARS-CoV-2 in animals will assist in studying viral function and emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring.

Reading summary

What is the motivation?

  • In the global context of the COVID-19 crisis, the origins of the pandemic are of utmost importance.
  • Understanding how an animal virus transitioned to infect humans is pivotal for future zoonotic event prevention.

What is the novelty & contribution?

  1. Natural Origin Over Lab Manipulation: The study offers evidence against the theory of purposeful laboratory manipulation of SARS-CoV-2.
  2. Two Plausible Scenarios: The research proposes two scenarios for the virus’s origin, either through natural selection in an animal host or post-zoonotic transfer in humans.
  3. Genomic Features: The study discusses the genomic features of SARS-CoV-2, especially the optimized RBD and polybasic cleavage site, in relation to their potential roles in human infection.
  4. Call for Further Research: The paper emphasizes the significance of obtaining related viral sequences from animals to definitively understand the virus’s origins.