SARS-CoV-2: OF SPANISH DESCENT
| Main Author: | Taliah Safah Muhammad1,2,* |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article Journal |
| Terbitan: |
, 2022
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/6475282 |
Daftar Isi:
- Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 is a genetically engineered SARS-COV vector which has been embedded into the backbone of bacteriophage HP2 of Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenza (NTHi). The design of SARS-CoV-2’s spike (S) protein is notable for its ability to facilitate cellular entry via not only the ACE2 receptors but also ICAM-1 which becomes upregulated in a NTHI infection. Technologies used in the development of SARS-CoV-2 were patented by the Spanish National Research Council in 2006 and include methods for creating a SARS-COV vector for gene editing, particularly “gene silencing”, and vaccine administration via “virus particles”. This patent calls for the engineering of a SARS-COV vector using a helper virus such as HP2 for replication and/or transcription. According to this patent, the said system could be constructed using a genome of SARS-COV containing sequences encoding a heterologous reporter gene or a gene derived from a different infectious agent and the construction of a fulllength cDNA, which in the case of SARS-CoV-2 was most likely performed using hnRNP Q CRISPR Activation Plasmid (h) cDNA. Further, NTHI lysates increase exosome release in the human middle ear epithelial cells. Exosomes can regulate gene expression via their miRNAs. SARS-CoV-2 shares a 76% homology with SARS-COV which is an engineering requirement mentioned in the said patent. The patent also sets forth modification principles and sequences for engineering the ORF of gene 7a. This engineering can be observed as a structural analysis has revealed that SARS-CoV-2 ORF 7a has structural homology with ICAM-1. ORF 7a plays a vital role in virus tropism allowing SARS-CoV-2 to be “guided” to gene editing targets via the hosts inflammatory secretions. Manipulation of ORF 7a to evade the hosts natural defenses against virus tropism as well as the use of NTHI lysates can cause an excessive inflammatory response or a “cytokine storm” in high-risk populations who become infected with COVID-19. This mode of engineering would necessarily classify SARS-CoV-2 a biological weapon.