Nanoimaging of SARS-CoV-2 viral invasion toward the nucleus and genome

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been linked to significant worldwide illness and death. Examining the ultrastructure and nanomechanical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 viruses, from a physical standpoint, aids in categorizing their mechanical attributes, providing valuable information for novel treatment approaches and pinpointing susceptible regions that can guide precise medical interventions. This review presents the structural and mechanical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, focusing on their interaction with cells and their effects on nuclear pore transit and epigenetic modifications. We present the latest progress in utilizing a high-speed atomic force microscope for nanoscale observation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its constituents. SARS-CoV-2 viruses utilize several components to interact with the host’s nuclear transport receptors and the nucleoporins of the nuclear pore complex to influence the host’s nuclear transport and genome modality. In this review, we also provide an updated summary of how the parts of SARS-CoV-2 interact with the host’s nuclear transport system and how these interactions change the host’s chromatin.