ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the characteristic features that form the foundation are fundamental structural and functional characteristics of the pathogen, including the lifecycle. The conversion of the sense RNA into antisense RNA is very much important for the lifecycle of the virus. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2, the most outward envelope protein, is a glycosylated transmembrane structure, made up of 1162 to 1452 amino acid residues. The spike protein facilitates the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 with the receptors on the host cell membranes, leading to the fusion of the two structures. Membrane proteins or M-proteins are the most abundant structural proteins present on the surface of coronaviruses and play a central role in morphogenesis and the assembly of the virus. The shape of the viral envelope is determined by this protein and also acts as a central organiser for the assembly of coronaviruses by interacting with other structural proteins.
