SARS-CoV-2 Virus Essential Proteins and Its Mutational Changes

The causative virus of Covid-19 is from the family of corona viruses, which causes acute respiratory distress syndrome. The virus that causes Covid-19 is structurally similar to the viruses that cause SARS and MERS diseases, and for this reason, this virus has been called SARS-CoV in scientific circles. This virus uses a special receptor that other corona viruses use for pathogenicity and infection.

In this research, the structure and functional characteristics of virus proteins were investigated using a systematic review method and selection of authentic and up-to-date articles from literature.

Four types of proteins play an important role in this virus: Spike protein, which plays an important role in the overall structure of the virus, and its presence on the surface of the virus creates a crown-like appearance in the virus; Envelope protein that causes pathogenicity and causes infection. Nucleocapsid protein and the Membrane protein, which in addition to playing a role in the structure of the virus, have an effect on increasing infection and also altering the cell cycle. Mutations of this virus have been reported in different parts of the world based on the phylogenetic network and geographic locations of the virus. These mutations sometimes give rise to new strains around the world, which include different types of mutations such as deletions and substitutions. In addition to the mentioned cases, the body's reaction to this virus is very important when it causes an infection, because in some cases, the association of stress with viral infection causes severe inflammatory responses and even autoimmune responses.

The different structures and functions of viral proteins in different variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus play an important role in the severity of symptoms of patients with Covid-19. Therefore, acknowledging these genetic variations is very important in designing and making vaccines and treating patients with Covid-19.