← Back to Volume 9

Research on the structural characteristics, mutation evolution and prevention and control strategies of SARS-CoV-2

Siya Gao, Zichen Ma, Guoguo Yang
pp.52-57 DOI: 10.62051/vfg84e05 September 15, 2026
Download PDF
Abstract: OVID-19, or novel coronavirus pneumonia, is a global infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has had a profound impact on public health, socioeconomics, and people's daily lives since its outbreak in 2019. This article reviews the structural composition, mutation evolution, transmission characteristics, and prevention and control measures of SARS-CoV-2. Studies have shown that the virus is mainly composed of spike protein, nucleocapsid protein, and viral RNA. The spike protein mediates viral invasion of host cells by binding to the human ACE2 receptor and is an important target for vaccine and antiviral drug development. The nucleocapsid protein plays a crucial role in viral RNA protection and replication. As the virus continues to spread, JN.1 and its derived variants have gradually become the main circulating strains globally, and their transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities have been enhanced through continuous mutation accumulation. To prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases, wear masks, wash hands regularly, improve ventilation, receive vaccinations, maintain social distancing, stay home when ill, etc., and thereby reduce the risk of disease transmission. Among them, a multi-layered, combined prevention and control strategy will be more protective.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Spike protein; Variant evolution and immune evasion.
APA Citation: Siya Gao, Zichen Ma, Guoguo Yang (2026). Research on the structural characteristics, mutation evolution and prevention and control strategies of SARS-CoV-2. Transactions on Materials, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, 9(1), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.62051/vfg84e05

References

  1. A. T. A. Khan, Z. Khalid, H. Zahid, et al. A computational and bioinformatic analysis of ACE2: an elucidation of its dual role in COVID-19 pathology and finding its associated partners as potential therapeutic targets. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. 2022, 40(4): 1813–1829.
  2. B. J. Xu, Y. Xuan, M. Du, et al. Bioinformatics analysis on structure and function of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and its prokaryotic expression. Chinese Journal of Virology. 2022, 38(1): 41–56.
  3. H. Maaroufi. Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels could explain smell, taste, and/or chemesthesis disorders. arXiv preprint. 2021, arXiv:2101.06294.
  4. R. J. Zhou. Structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and preliminary study on the mechanism of RNA recognition. Sichuan University. 2022.
  5. M. Hoffmann, H. Kleine-Weber, S. Schroeder, et al. SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and is blocked by a clinically proven protease inhibitor. Cell. 2020, 181(2): 271–280.
  6. A. M. Carabelli, T. P. Peacock, L. G. Thorne, et al. SARS-CoV-2 variant biology: immune escape, transmission and fitness. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2023, 21: 162–177.
  7. M. S. Diamond, T. D. Kanneganti. Innate immunity: the first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2. Nature Immunology. 2022, 23: 165–176.
  8. D. Planas, N. Saunders, P. Maes, et al. Considerable escape of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron to antibody neutralization. Nature. 2022, 602: 671–675.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory Viruses Prevention. 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/index.html
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Everyday Actions for Hygiene and Prevention. 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/hygiene.html
  11. J. Howard, A. Huang, Z. Li, et al. An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2021, 118(4): e2014564118.
  12. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Ventilation and air conditioning. 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-ventilation-and-air-conditioning
  13. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Masks. 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-masks
  14. J. Reason. Human error: models and management. BMJ. 2000, 320(7237): 768–770.