Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
9.0
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Coronaviruses
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Coronaviruses

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 2616

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shu-Qun Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
2. Key Laboratory for Tumor Molecular Biology of High Education in Yunnan Province, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
Interests: QSAR

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the biochemistry and molecular biology of coronaviruses, which are RNA viruses responsible for global health crises like SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19).   Understanding their molecular mechanisms is essential for developing effective therapies and preventive measures.

We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews exploring aspects such as viral replication, transcription, protein synthesis, assembly and egress pathways, viral protein structure and function, genome organization, host–virus interactions, and drug development. Studies employing advanced techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, computational modeling, and innovative in vitro and in vivo approaches are also highly valued. Topics of interest include host immune responses, immune evasion strategies, the roles of non-structural and accessory proteins in pathogenesis, the emergence of new variants, and the identification of novel antiviral targets. Research focusing on antiviral therapies, including drugs and vaccines, and diagnostic tools grounded in molecular insights is also welcome.

By disseminating cutting-edge research and fostering collaboration among scientists dedicated to unraveling the molecular complexities of coronaviruses, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of coronaviruses.   We hope to support global efforts to manage and prevent coronavirus-related health challenges, paving the way for more effective diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, and preventive strategies to safeguard global health.

Dr. Shu-Qun Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • SARS-CoV
  • MERS-CoV
  • COVID-19
  • RNA viruses
  • infection
  • antivirals
  • vaccines
  • therapeutics
  • host-virus interactions

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 432 KiB  
Article
Patterns of Recombination in Coronaviruses
by Ricardo Soares, Cristina P. Vieira and Jorge Vieira
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125595 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 148
Abstract
By bringing together different variant combinations, recombination can contribute to adaptation in Coronaviridae species, some of which infect humans, and have given rise to epidemics and a pandemic. Therefore, in this work, the impact of the use of different recombination inference methods and [...] Read more.
By bringing together different variant combinations, recombination can contribute to adaptation in Coronaviridae species, some of which infect humans, and have given rise to epidemics and a pandemic. Therefore, in this work, the impact of the use of different recombination inference methods and sample sizes is addressed using data from 21 Coronaviridae species, and recombination inferences are further supported using a phylogenetic approach. Recombination patterns are shown not to vary greatly between species. A positive correlation is found between gene position and recombination rates, suggesting intrinsic variation in recombination rates along the genome. Within and between species recombination patterns are shown to differ, the module type being the most prevalent between species except for the Membrane and Nucleocapsid genes, whose products are known to interact and thus must co-evolve, explaining why the two genes are often recombined as one unit. It is also shown that within species, the module type is prevalent for the Spike gene only. Moreover, a positive correlation between recombination and selection is here reported. Therefore, intratypic recombination patterns are also shaped by selection. Recombination may thus be an important source of variability upon which selection can act. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Coronaviruses)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4648 KiB  
Article
Dissecting the Binding Affinity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Compounds to Human Transmembrane Protease, Serine 2: A Computational Study
by Yue-Hui Shi, Jian-Xin Shen, Yan Tao, Yuan-Ling Xia, Zhi-Bi Zhang, Yun-Xin Fu, Ke-Qin Zhang and Shu-Qun Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020587 - 11 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1521
Abstract
The human transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2), essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry, is a key antiviral target. Here, we computationally profiled the TMPRSS2-binding affinities of 15 antiviral compounds. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the docked complexes revealed that three compounds exited the substrate-binding cavity [...] Read more.
The human transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2), essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry, is a key antiviral target. Here, we computationally profiled the TMPRSS2-binding affinities of 15 antiviral compounds. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the docked complexes revealed that three compounds exited the substrate-binding cavity (SBC), suggesting noncompetitive inhibition. Of the remaining compounds, five charged ones exhibited reduced binding stability due to competing electrostatic interactions and increased solvent exposure, while seven neutral compounds showed stronger binding affinity driven by van der Waals (vdW) interactions compensating for unfavorable electrostatic effects (including electrostatic interactions and desolvation penalties). Positive and negative hotspot residues were identified as uncharged and charged, respectively, both lining the SBC. Despite forming diverse interactions with compounds, the burial of positive hotspots led to strong vdW interactions that overcompensated for unfavorable electrostatic effects, whereas negative hotspots incurred high desolvation penalties, negating any favorable contributions. Charged residues at the SBC’s outer rim can reduce binding affinity significantly when forming hydrogen bonds or salt bridges. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing vdW interactions with uncharged residues and minimizing the unfavorable electrostatic effects of charged residues, providing valuable insights for designing effective TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Coronaviruses)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop