THE IMPORTANCE OF VIRAL PROTEINS IN THE PATHONOGENESIS OF THIRD ZOONOTIC CORONAVIRUS

Abstract

The pandemic of new corona virus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) in over 200 countries across all the continents has resulted in a major health hazard and consequently, drawn global attention worldwide. Apart from the health implications associated with the infestation of COVID-19, the socio-economic impact of the pandemic cannot be overemphasized. Although good progress has been made on efficient diagnostic testing and treatment methods, tracking of confirmed as well as discharge cases worldwide, but the pathogenicity of COVID-19 as it pertains to the roles of viral proteins, known to be the backbone of the structural integrity of virus, still remains unclear. Knowledge of viral proteins in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is important for effective prophylactic and therapeutic approach to mitigating COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases. We provide insights into the roles of viral proteins in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 as the third zoonotic coronavirus in this paper. Zoonotic concept, structural and non-structural proteins of coronavirus as well as the clinical stages of its pathogenesis and implications on healthy and unhealthy elderly humans was also discussed. It is hoped that this review will encourage and supports the use of molecular biology approach to conduct more researches aimed at evaluating the structural and non-structural proteins of coronavirus in an effort to provide a better therapeutic approach and mitigate its physio-pathological impact