SARS-CoV-2—Virus structure and life cycle

This book chapter presents a concise overview of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores viral classification based on morphology and nucleic acid composition with a focus on DNA and RNA viruses, the SARS-CoV-2 structure including the structural as well as nonstructural proteins in detail, and the viral replication mechanisms. The chapter then delves into the characteristics and diversity of coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, highlighting its similarities with other beta-coronaviruses. The replication and transcription complex, RNA elongation, and capping, as well as the role of accessory proteins in viral replication and modulation of the host immune response is discussed extensively.