Molecular advances in the cell biology of SARS-CoV and current disease prevention strategies.
In the aftermath of the SARS epidemic, there has been significant progress in understanding the molecular and cell biology of SARS-CoV. Some of the milestones are the availability of viral genome sequence, identification of the viral receptor, development of an infectious cDNA clone, and the identification of viral antigens that elicit neutralizing antibodies. However, there is still a large gap in our understanding of how SARS-CoV interacts with the host cell and the rapidly changing viral genome adds another variable to this equation. Now the SARS-CoV story has entered a new phase, a search for preventive strategies and a cure for the disease. This review highlights the progress made in identifying molecular aspects of SARS-CoV biology that is relevant in developing disease prevention strategies. Authors conclude that development of successful SARS-CoV vaccines and antivirals depends on the progress we make in these areas in the immediate future.
Stark
Caren J
CJ
Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. starkc@cber.fda.gov
Atreya
C D
CD
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014765:Viral Vaccines