Comparative genomic analysis: from SARS to SARS CoV 2 virus-types. Similarities and differences
Keywords:
SARS CoV 2, Biological Evolution, Pandemics, Coronavirus, Recombination, GeneticAbstract
Background: We are currently witnessing a worldwide event caused by the pandemic outbreak derived from the new SARS‑CoV‑2 virus, which requires the generation of knowledge. Due to its novelty, many hypotheses and theories are discussed daily regarding the origin of this new virus. Several studies are focused on demonstrating how similar it is to other viruses.
Objective: To highlight the differences of SARS-CoV‑2 with other SARS viruses, from a comparative genomics analysis, and determine if these can be attributed to manipulation events.
Material and methods: Complete genomes of two SARS viruses were downloaded, along with other six of human coronaviruses, and 16 of SARS‑type coronaviruses. These were analyzed using the BLAST Ring Image Generator tool; afterwards, the evident differences were examined by MAFFT and BLAST programs.
Results: High identity was observed in fragments of the mammalian SARS‑like genomes with the SARS‑CoV‑1 and SARS‑CoV‑2 genomes, identifying three main nucleotide differences, in the ORF1ab nsp3 region gene, in the receptor recognition S gene, and in the ORF8 gene, with which the SARS‑type strains of mammals can be separated into the SARS‑CoV‑1 and SARS‑CoV‑2 type.
Conclusion: The complete SARS‑CoV‑2 genome has high identity with mammalian SARS‑type strains, which is why its most probable appearance could be the result of natural evolution.
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