Generation of restriction endonucleases barcode map to trace SARS-CoV-2 origin and evolution

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 3;11(1):11773. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91264-6.

Abstract

Since the first report of SARS-CoV-2 in China in 2019, there has been a huge debate about the origin. In this work, using a different method we aimed to strengthen the observation that no evidence of genetic manipulation has been found by (1) detecting classical restriction site (RS) sequence in human SARS-CoV-2 genomes and (2) comparing them with other recombinant SARS-CoV-like virus created for experimental purposes. Finally, we propose a novel approach consisting in the generation of a restriction endonucleases site map of SARS-CoV-2 and other related coronavirus genomes to be used as a fingerprint to trace the virus evolution.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Chiroptera / virology
  • DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / methods*
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes / genetics*
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes / metabolism
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genome, Viral
  • Humans
  • Restriction Mapping
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / genetics

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes