SARS-CoV-2 entry and propagation

SARS-CoV-2 entry and propagation refers to the multi-step biological process by which the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 infects host cells and replicates. The process begins with the viral Spike (S) protein binding to the host Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, a step often requiring proteolytic priming by host enzymes such as TMPRSS2 (Hoffmann et al., 2020, Cell). Once the virus enters the cell via endocytosis or membrane fusion, it releases its RNA genome, which is then translated into large polyproteins. These polyproteins are processed into functional non-structural proteins by viral proteases, specifically the Main Protease (Mpro) and Papain-like Protease (PLpro) (V'kovski et al., 2021, Nature Reviews Microbiology). The replication complex, centered around the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), then synthesizes new viral RNA. Therapeutic intervention strategies target these specific stages: monoclonal antibodies block entry, Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir) inhibits Mpro, and Remdesivir targets RdRp to halt viral propagation (NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines, 2024).

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 life cycleViral entry and replicationCOVID-19 pathogenesisSARS-CoV-2 infection pathway

Inhibition of viral entry through Spike-ACE2 blockade, prevention of viral polyprotein cleavage via Mpro/PLpro antagonism, and termination of viral RNA synthesis through RdRp inhibition.