Inferring SARS-CoV-2 functional genomics from viral transcriptome with identification of potential antiviral drugs and therapeutic targets

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and has posed a serious threat to global health. Here, we systematically characterized the transcription levels of the SARS-CoV-2 genes and identified the responsive human genes associated with virus infection. We inferred the possible biological functions of each viral gene and depicted the functional landscape based on guilt-by-association and functional enrichment analyses. Subsequently, the transcription factor regulatory network, protein-protein interaction network, and non-coding RNA regulatory network were constructed to discover more potential antiviral targets. In addition, several potential drugs for COVID-19 treatment and prevention were recognized, including known cell proliferation-related, immune-related, and antiviral drugs, in which proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, carfilzomib, and ixazomib citrate) may play an important role in the treatment of COVID-19. These results provided novel insights into the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 functional genomics and host-targeting antiviral strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Automated summary

This study systematically analyzed the transcription levels of SARS-CoV-2 genes and identified responsive human genes associated with virus infection. Various networks were constructed to discover potential antiviral targets, and several potential drugs for COVID-19 treatment were recognized, with proteasome inhibitors playing a crucial role. These results provide new insights into the functional genomics of SARS-CoV-2 and host-targeting antiviral strategies for infection.