SARS-CoV-2 and miRNA-like inhibition power

TL;DR

This study suggests SARS-CoV-2 may interfere with host cell functions by miRNA-like mechanisms, potentially disrupting oxygen transport and immune responses, based on sequence hybridization analysis.

Contribution

It introduces the possibility of miRNA-like inhibition by SARS-CoV-2 affecting vital host processes, a novel perspective on viral pathogenicity.

Findings

RNA sequences longer than eight nucleotides can hybridize with host mRNA

SARS-CoV-2 may perturb hemoglobin and interferon synthesis

Potential impact on oxygen transport and immune response

Abstract

(1) Background: RNA viruses and especially coronaviruses could act inside host cells not only by building their own proteins, but also by perturbing the cell metabolism. We show the possibility of miRNA-like inhibitions by the SARS-CoV-2 concerning for example the hemoglobin and type I interferons syntheses, hence highly perturbing oxygen distribution in vital organs and immune response as described by clinicians; (2) Methods: We compare RNA subsequences of SARS-CoV-2 protein S and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes to mRNA sequences of beta-globin and type I interferons; (3) Results: RNA subsequences longer than eight nucleotides from SARS-CoV-2 genome could hybridize subsequences of the mRNA of beta-globin and of type I interferons; (4) Conclusions: Beyond viral protein production, Covid-19 might affect vital processes like host oxygen transport and immune response.