Prediction of putative potential siRNAs for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 strains, including variants of concern and interest

Abdullah Al Saba; Maisha Adiba; Sajib Chakraborty; Ahm Nurun Nabi

doi:10.2217/fmb-2021-0130

Prediction of putative potential siRNAs for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 strains, including variants of concern and interest

Future Microbiol. 2022 Apr:17:449-463. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0130. Epub 2022 Mar 14.

Authors

Abdullah Al Saba¹, Maisha Adiba¹, Sajib Chakraborty², Ahm Nurun Nabi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Population Genetics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Systems Cell-Signalling Laboratory, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Aim: To predict siRNAs as a therapeutic intervention for highly infectious new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Conserved coding sequence regions of 11 SARS-CoV-2 proteins were used to construct siRNAs through sampling of metadata comprising 214,256 sequences. Results: Predicted siRNAs S1: 5'-UCAUUGAGAAAUGUUUACGCA-3' and S2: 5'-AAAGACAUCAGCAUACUCCUG-3' against RdRp of SARS-CoV-2 satisfied all the stringent filtering processes and showed good binding characteristics. The designed siRNAs are expected to inhibit viral replication and transcription of various coronavirus strains encompassing variants of concern and interest. Conclusion: The predicted siRNAs are expected to be potent against SARS-CoV-2, and following in vitro and in vivo validations may be considered as potential therapeutic measures.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; novel coronavirus; siRNA.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
SARS-CoV-2* / genetics
Virus Replication

Substances

RNA, Small Interfering