Unique SARS-CoV protein nsp1: bioinformatics, biochemistry and potential effects on virulence.
Viruses have evolved a myriad of strategies for promoting viral replication, survival and spread. Sequence analysis of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) genome predicts several proteins that are unique to SARS-CoV. The search to understand the high virulence of SARS-CoV compared with related coronaviruses, which cause lesser respiratory illnesses, has recently focused on the unique nsp1 protein of SARS-CoV and suggests evolution of a possible new virulence mechanism in coronaviruses. The SARS-CoV nsp1 protein increases cellular RNA degradation and thus might facilitate SARS-CoV replication or block immune responses.
Connor
Ramsey F
RF
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody Medical School, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
Roper
Rachel L
RL
D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D006801:Humans; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D014774:Virulence; D014779:Virus Replication
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D012313:RNA