The genome of SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded sense (coding) mRNA that is translated into many functional and structural proteins required for the replication and assembly of the virus, including the famous spike protein. Comparing the sequence to that of SARS-CoV-1 and a number of other beta-coronaviruses reveals that by far the most conserved sequence within the entire ~30,000 nucleotide mRNA genome is located in the 3'-UTR, near the end of the message. The difference between that sequence in the original isolates of SARS-CoV-2 is only 1 in 50 nucleotides. What is the most likely explanation for this high degree of sequence conservation? The mRNA in this region encodes for a protein with a required proteus site to make the mature viral coat protein that participates in membrane fusion, without which the virus cannot propagate. The mRNA in this region encodes for an essential protein whose fold cannot tolerate amino acid substitutions. The mRNA in this region is part of a required splice site O The mRNA in this region encodes a transcription termination signal. O The mRNA in this region encodes the ribosomal entry and/or start sites, which cannot change their sequence appreciably. The mRNA forms an essential 3-D structure in this region required for viral propagation

Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
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The genome of SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded sense (coding) mRNA that is translated into
many functional and structural proteins required for the replication and assembly of the virus,
including the famous spike protein. Comparing the sequence to that of SARS-CoV-1 and a
number of other beta-coronaviruses reveals that by far the most conserved sequence within
the entire ~30,000 nucleotide mRNA genome is located in the 3'-UTR, near the end of the
message. The difference between that sequence in the original isolates of SARS-CoV-2 is only
1 in 50 nucleotides.
What is the most likely explanation for this high degree of sequence conservation?
The mRNA in this region encodes for a protein with a required proteus site to make the mature viral
coat protein that participates in membrane fusion, without which the virus cannot propagate.
The mRNA in this region encodes for an essential protein whose fold cannot tolerate amino acid
substitutions.
The mRNA in this region is part of a required splice site
The mRNA in this region encodes a transcription termination signal.
The mRNA in this region encodes the ribosomal entry and/or start sites, which cannot change their
sequence appreciably.
O The mRNA forms an essential 3-D structure in this region required for viral propagation
Transcribed Image Text:The genome of SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded sense (coding) mRNA that is translated into many functional and structural proteins required for the replication and assembly of the virus, including the famous spike protein. Comparing the sequence to that of SARS-CoV-1 and a number of other beta-coronaviruses reveals that by far the most conserved sequence within the entire ~30,000 nucleotide mRNA genome is located in the 3'-UTR, near the end of the message. The difference between that sequence in the original isolates of SARS-CoV-2 is only 1 in 50 nucleotides. What is the most likely explanation for this high degree of sequence conservation? The mRNA in this region encodes for a protein with a required proteus site to make the mature viral coat protein that participates in membrane fusion, without which the virus cannot propagate. The mRNA in this region encodes for an essential protein whose fold cannot tolerate amino acid substitutions. The mRNA in this region is part of a required splice site The mRNA in this region encodes a transcription termination signal. The mRNA in this region encodes the ribosomal entry and/or start sites, which cannot change their sequence appreciably. O The mRNA forms an essential 3-D structure in this region required for viral propagation
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