Comparison of Selected Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and HCoV-NL63

Abstract

The global pandemic known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This review article presents the taxonomy of SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses, which have been classified as the seventh known human pathogenic coronavirus. The etiology of COVID-19 is also briefly discussed. Selected characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and HCoV-NL63 are compared in the article. The angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) has been identified as the receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 viral entry. ACE2 is well-known as a counter-regulator of the renin-angiotensin system (RAAS) and plays a key role in the cardiovascular system. In the therapy of patients with COVID-19, there has been a concern about the use of RAAS inhibitors. As a result, it is hypothesized that ACE inhibitors do not directly affect ACE2 activity in clinical use. Coronaviruses are zoonotic RNA viruses. Identification of the primary causative agent of the SARS-CoV-2 is essential. Sequencing showed that the genome of the Bat CoVRaTG13 virus found in bats matches the genome of up to (96.2%) of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Sufficient knowledge of the molecular and biological mechanisms along with reliable information related to SARS-CoV-2 gives hope for a quick solution to epidemiological questions and therapeutic processes.

Keywords

• SARS-CoV-2
• SARS-CoV
• HCoV-NL63
• ACE2 receptor