Mysterious 'gene within a gene' found in the coronavirus [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

By Peter Dockrill - ScienceAlert 8 hours ago



(Image: © Shutterstock)

Researchers have uncovered a mysterious gene in the genetic code of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 – a segment virtually hidden from view in the virus's genome, and largely overlooked until now.

The newly identified gene – called ORF3d – is an example of what's called an overlapping gene: a kind of 'gene within a gene' that's effectively concealed in a string of nucleotides, because of the way it overlaps the coded sequences of other genes.

"In terms of genome size, SARS-CoV-2 and its relatives are among the longest RNA viruses that exist," explains bioinformatician Chase Nelson from the American Museum of Natural History.

"They are thus perhaps more prone to 'genomic trickery' than other RNA viruses."

Viruses are actually quite prone to hosting overlapping genes, so it's not exactly a shocking discovery. Whether ORF3d truly represents genomic trickery remains to be seen, but in any case, it's certainly tricky to see.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-mysterious-gene-inside-gene-discovered.html