Fig. 2.

Replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2. The life cycle of the virus is initiated when a virion binds to its receptor, and this event is followed by entry into the host cell and uncoating, translation of the replicase gene, and synthesis of the pp1a and pp1ab polyproteins. After production of the viral structural proteins S, M, and E, the genomic RNA is encapsulated by N protein budding into the ERGIC, which finally gives rise to the release of the complete virion from the host cell.