A Critical Review on SARS-CoV-2: Nature or Nurture?
Emmanuel Chigozie Udegbunam
Department of Medical Biochemistry, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Christian Chibuzo Uba *
Department of Microbiology Paul University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Okwunna Onyekachi Ikwuazom
Department of Medical Biochemistry, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Thomas Emmanuel Kanai
Department of Agricultural Technology, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Joy Ogugua Igwe
Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
Ogadinma Daughter Okengwu
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the family of coronaviridae and genus coronavirus and is the causative agent of COVID-19 disease that originated in Wuhan, China, a disease characterized by shortness of breath, severe fever, and cough. Scientists continue to be divided as to the origin of the virus with some scientists proposing the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 as a consequence of evolutionary mutation, implicating the Bat corona virus as a possible ancestor while some scientists propose a laboratory leak and a possible consequence of a laboratory creation. This is further complicated because of the unique polybasic sequence at the furin cleavage site within the S1/S2 spike protein, a characteristic not found in any close family of the SARS-CoV-2, but found in its distant relatives. While the origins of SARS-CoV-2 continue to be a subject of debate, this review is an attempt on the presentation of facts that may give clues as to the origin of the virus and a call for extensive research on the repurposing of drugs apart from Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine which may be beneficial among low and middle income populations.
Keywords: Virus, SARS-CoV-2, coronaviruses, polybasic sequence, Furin cleavage site, spike protein, COVID-19