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Evolutional insights on uncharacterized SARS coronavirus genes.

Alex Inberg·Michal Linial
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Abstract

The complete genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and many of its variants has been determined by several laboratories. The genome contains fourteen predicted open reading frames (ORFs). However, a function had been clearly assigned for only six of these ORFs, in the viral replication, transcription and structural constituents. The others are herein referred to as uncharacterized ORFs (UC-ORFs). Here, we try to provide a relational insight on those UC-ORFs, suggesting that a number of them are remotely related to structural proteins of coronaviruses and other viruses infecting mammalian hosts. Surprisingly, several of the UC-ORFs exhibit considerable similarity with other SARS-CoV ORFs. These observations may provide clues on the evolution and genome dynamics of the SARS-CoV.

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Amino Acid SequenceBiological EvolutionGenes, ViralMolecular Sequence DataOpen Reading FramesSevere acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirusSequence Homology, Amino AcidJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Alex Inberg, Michal Linial. 2004-11-05. Evolutional insights on uncharacterized SARS coronavirus genes.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2004.09.076

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