Molecular recognition in the infection, replication, and transmission of COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2: an emerging interface of infectious disease, biological chemistry, and nanoscience

A coronavirus (CoV) commonly known as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and causing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019) has become a pandemic following an outbreak in Wuhan. Although mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (SGP) are obvious from comparative genome studies, the novel infectious nature of the virus, its new varients detected in the UK, and outside and recovery–death ratios of COVID-19 inspired us to review the mechanisms of the infection, replication, release, and transmission of progeny virions and the immune response in the host cell. In addition to the specificity of SARS-CoV-2 binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and transmembrane protease serine 2, the varied symptoms and severity of the infection by the original and mutated forms of the virus suggest the significance of correlating the host innate and adaptive immunity with the binding of the virus to the mannose receptor via lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), toll-like receptors via LPS/proteins/RNA, and sialic acid (Sia) via hemagglutinin, or sugar-acid segments of glycans. HA-to-Sia binding is considered based on the innate Sia N-acetylneuraminic acid and the acquired Sia N-glycolylneuraminic acid in the epithelial cells and the sialidase/neuraminidase- or esterase-hydrolyzed release and transmission of CoVs. Furthermore, the cytokine storms common to aged humans infected with SARS-CoV-2 and aged macaques infected with SARS-CoV encourage us to articulate the mechanism by which the nuclear capsid protein and RNAs bypass the pattern recognition-induced secretion of interferons (IFNs), which stimulate IFN genes through the Janus-activated kinase-signal transducer and activator of a transcription pathway, leading to the secretion of antiviral proteins such as myxovirus resistance protein A/B. By considering the complexities of the structure, and the infectious nature of the virus and the structures and functions of the molecules involved in CoV infection, replication, and immune response, a new interface among virology, immunology, chemistry, imaging technology, drug delivery, and nanoscience is proposed and will be developed. This interface can be an essential platform for researchers, technologists, and physicians to collaborate and develop vaccines and medicines against COVID-19 and other pandemics in the future.