Fig. 4.

Schematic representing major events in the SARS-CoV life cycle in the host cell. Entry of SARS-CoV occurs through the binding of spike protein with the host ACE receptors facilitated by transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), embedded in the host cell raft domains. Once the viral genome is released, transcription-replication complex (RTC) carries out the expression of viral structural and non-structural proteins. The entire RTC is known to be situated in the viral-induced compartments formed by the rearrangement of cellular membranes. The schematic shows formation of DMVs (Double-membrane vesicles), CMs (convoluted membranes) and VPs (vesicle pockets) through rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in conjunction with a complex interplay of viral non-structural proteins, nsp3-4–6. The presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as observed by Knoops et al. is also shown within the compartments of the reticulo-vesicular network