This study hypothesizes the use of metal ions to suppress the RNA polymerase activity as the most effective therapy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Once any microbes attack the body of a human, the proteins are used to replicate the virus (Scientific Animations 00:00:23-00:00:52). Thus, the virus relies on proteins to reproduce and attack other cells, which implies that if the process could be stopped, it would stop the virus from spreading to other cells. Metal ions can be an effective alternative in suppressing the RNA polymerase activity to stop the process. Metal ions are responsible for activating or deactivating the proteins. Some metals that contain inhibitory processes are Cu2+, Zn2+, and Hg2+. Most of the punitive enzymes in the SARS-CoV-2 have a Zinc domain, and when Zn2+ ionospheres and Zn2+ ions merge, they stop replication. This shows that Zn2+ can be used to stop the helicase activity in a viral genome.
Response to student’s Post
I agree with you that adsorption is the first step in the viral replication cycle, and it requires suppression or total stopping to ensure that there is no more replication. However, I wish you were more specific in naming some components that would mimic the receptors that the spike protein would want to bind with. The main challenge that researchers are currently having is identifying such receptors that mimic the spikes. I have suggested metal ions because they have been proven to suppress the virus replication effectively. However, I like your response because it provides the right direction towards finding a solution by bringing the idea of introducing new receptors that would bind with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Work Cited
“Medical Animation explaining Coronavirus Mechanism of Action – How Coronavirus attacks a human body.” Youtube, uploaded by Scientific Animations, 2020, Web.