Targeting the Conserved Stem Loop 2 Motif in the SARS-CoV-2 Genome
Valeria Lulla, Michal P. Wandel, Katarzyna Bandyra, Rachel Ulferts, Mary Wu, Tom Dendooven, Xiaofei Yang, Nicole Doyle, Stephanie Oerum, Rupert Beale, Sara M. O’Rourke, Felix Randow, Helena J. Maier, W. G. Scott, Yiliang Ding, Andrew E. Firth, Kotryna Bloznelyte, Ben F. Luisi
Abstract
The highly conserved stem-loop 2 motif (s2m) is found in the genomes of many RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Our findings indicate that the s2m element can be targeted by antisense oligonucleotides. The antiviral potential of this element represents a promising start for further research into targeting conserved elements in RNA viruses.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyRNARepliconSubgenomic mRNACoronaviridaeVirologyUntranslated regionConserved sequenceViral replicationGenomeGeneticsCoronavirusOligonucleotideStem-loopComputational biologyVirusDNAGenePeptide sequenceMedicineDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PathologyViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiologyAnimal Virus Infections StudiesViral Infections and Immunology Research