s SARS-CoV-2: Molecular Biology and Therapeutic Targets

A century after the outbreak of the Spanish flu, the world is suffering from another pandemic because of the coronavirus. The virus took a toll on more than millions of lives worldwide and continues to affect the health and socio-economic infrastructure all over the world. This study explores the epidemiology, etiology, and transmission of the virus and its phylogenetic relationship with SARS and MERS coronavirus responsible for the 2002 and 2012 viral outbreak. Furthermore, this review highlights the key features of the viral genome and essential viral proteins responsible for the viral life cycle, evading host immune response, and viral immunopathology with therapeutics from “Recovery” and “Solidarity” trials. The review culminates with a discussion on different classes of prominent vaccines and their efficacy. An overall understanding of essential viral proteins and their role in pathogenesis, repurposed drugs, and vaccine development is the rationale of the present review.