Cloaked similarity between HIV-1 and SARS-CoV suggests an anti-SARS strategy

• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-3-20
• Publication Date: 2003-10-14T06:24:19Z
• Authors: Yossef Kliger; Erez Y Levanon
• Keywords: Heptad repeat; Enfuvirtide; Coronavirus; Coronaviridae

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a febrile illness. The disease has been etiologically linked to novel coronavirus that named the SARS-associated (SARS-CoV), whose genome was recently sequenced. Since it member of Coronaviridae, its spike protein (S2) believed play central role in viral entry by facilitating fusion between and host cell membranes. responsible for viral-induced membrane HIV-1 (gp41) differs length, no sequence homology with S2.Sequence analysis reveals two proteins share motifs construct their active conformation. These include (1) an N-terminal leucine/isoleucine zipper-like sequence, (2) C-terminal heptad repeat located upstream (3) aromatic residue-rich region juxtaposed (4) transmembrane segment.This study points similar mode action proteins, suggesting anti-viral strategy targets step can be adopted from SARS-CoV. Recently FDA approved Enfuvirtide, synthetic peptide corresponding gp41, as anti-AIDS agent. Enfuvirtide C34, another anti peptide, exert inhibitory activity binding thus inhibiting conformational change gp41 required activation. We suggest peptides S2 may serve inhibitors SARS-CoV entry.