Genetic Sequencing of Cold Virus

Filed in archive Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics on February 19, 2009

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Scientists have successfully mapped the genome of all known human rhinoviruses, which causes the common cold which in turn is responsible for about half of all asthma cases and is a factor in other upper and lower respiratory tract illnesses such as bronchitis, sinusitis, middle-ear infections and pneumonia. The genomes of all 99 serotypes have been examined.

Superimposition of capsid crystal structure and optimal-energy RNA configurations established alignments and phylogeny. These revealed conserved motifs, clade-specific diversity including a potential new species (HRV-D), mutations in field isolates, and recombination. In analogy with poliovirus, a hypervariable 5'UTR tract may affect virulence. A configuration consistent with nonscanning internal ribosome entry was found in all HRVs and may account for rapid translation.

Data from the genome sequences of the different strains can be used in epidemiologic studies and in the development of antivirals or vaccines against human rhinoviruses.

This study has been published in the Feb 13, 2009 issue of Science.