COVID-19 outbreak: history, mechanism, transmission, structural studies and therapeutics

Purpose The coronavirus outbreak emerged as a severe pandemic, claiming more than 0.8 million lives across the world and raised a major global health concern. We survey the history and mechanism of coronaviruses, and the structural characteristics of the spike protein and its key residues responsible for human transmissions. Methods We have carried out a systematic review to summarize the origin, transmission and etiology of COVID-19. The structural analysis of the spike protein and its disordered residues explains the mechanism of the viral transmission. A meta-data analysis of the therapeutic compounds targeting the SARS-CoV-2 is also included. Results Coronaviruses can cross the species barrier and infect humans with unexpected consequences for public health. The transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection is higher compared to that of the closely related SARS-CoV infections. In SARS-CoV-2 infection, intrinsically disordered regions are observed at the interface of the spike protein and ACE2 receptor, providing a shape complementarity to the complex. The key residues of the spike protein have stronger binding affinity with ACE2. These can be probable reasons for the higher transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we have also discussed the therapeutic compounds and the vaccines to target SARS-CoV-2, which can help researchers to develop effective drugs/vaccines for COVID-19. The overall history and mechanism of entry of SARS-CoV-2 along with structural study of spike-ACE2 complex provide insights to understand disease pathogenesis and development of vaccines and drugs.

Automated summary

The coronavirus outbreak has become a severe pandemic, claiming over 0.8 million lives globally and raising major health concerns. Coronaviruses can infect humans by crossing the species barrier, with SARS-CoV-2 exhibiting a higher transmission rate compared to related infections. The spike protein's key residues have stronger binding affinity with ACE2, potentially contributing to the increased transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2. Therapeutic compounds and vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 are discussed to aid in the development of effective drugs/vaccines for COVID-19.