Coronavirus Mol Bio Features
Some interesting replication and
molecular biology features of Coronavirus
Coronavirus has the largest RNA
virus genome of about 32 kilobases.
The product of the 5' two-thirds of
the viral genome is two polyproteins, the larger of which is a result of
translational frameshifting. These two polyproteins are cleaved and
assembled to form an RNA polymerase.
RNA polymerase is used to transcribe
full length strands of RNA as well as a 3'-coterminal nested set of
subgenomic mRNAs.
The 5 - 7 nested genes extend for
different lengths from their common 3' ends.
A 5' leader sequence is used in the
process of discontinuous transcription.
Genetic recombination occurs
frequently between the genomes of related coronaviruses, which is an
important mechanism for genetic diversity.
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