15 April 2003
CDC Breaks Genetic Code on SARS
(Find is a step forward in understanding disease) (620)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced
April 14 that its researchers had analyzed the genetic code for the
coronavirus believed to be the cause of severe acute respiratory
syndrome, or SARS.
The CDC findings are almost identical to those announced by Canadian
researchers days before, according to a press release. The U.S.
research does reveal additional nucleotides, the structural
components, or building blocks, of DNA and RNA.
Identifying the genetic sequence of a new virus is important to
efforts to treat or prevent it, said Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC
director. "Research laboratories can use this information to begin to
target antiviral drugs, to form the basis for developing vaccines, and
to develop diagnostic tests that can lead to early detection."
According to the World Health Organization, SARS cases mounted to 3169
in 21 countries as of April 14, with 144 deaths.
Further information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
and http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/
Further information on nucleotides is available at
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=nucleotide
(begin text)
U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
April 14, 2003
CDC Lab Sequences Genome of New Coronavirus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today
that it has sequenced the genome for the coronavirus believed to be
responsible for the global epidemic of severe acute respiratory
syndrome or SARS. The CDC sequence is nearly identical to that
determined by a Canadian laboratory late last week. The significant
difference is that the CDC-determined sequence has 15 additional
nucleotides, which provides the important beginning of the sequence,
CDC scientists said.
The results came just 12 days after a team of 10 scientists, supported
by numerous technicians, began working around the clock to grow cells
taken from a throat culture taken from one of the SARS patients in
Vero cells (African green monkey kidney cells) in order to reproduce
the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the disease-causing coronavirus. The new
sequence has 29,727 nucleotides, which places it well within the
typical RNA boundaries for coronaviruses. Members of this viral family
tend to have between 29,000 and 31,000 nucleotides.
Identifying the genetic sequence of a new virus is important to
efforts to treat or prevent it, said Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC
director. "Research laboratories can use this information to begin to
target antiviral drugs, to form the basis for developing vaccines, and
to develop diagnostic tests that can lead to early detection."
In sequencing the genome, CDC scientists worked closely with
coronavirus experts at academic institutions across the United States.
"This is an active, working community of scientific experts who have
been contributing their knowledge and expertise throughout this
investigation," said William Bellini, Ph.D., SARS laboratory team
coordinator.
The nearly identical findings in the US and Canada are important
because they were derived from different individuals who were infected
in different countries. This suggests that the virus probably
originated from a common source.
The CDC's analysis of the virus is far from finished, officials
emphasized. Because coronaviruses have the ability to mutate rapidly,
scientists will compare the sequences from viruses isolated in cell
culture to those obtained from diseased tissues taken from SARS
patients. "This is essentially a draft. Now we need to see if what we
have identified in the laboratory matches what's causing disease in
patients," Bellini said.
But the groundbreaking work of isolating the genomic sequence speeds
the task of comparison.
CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling
diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible
information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living
through strong partnerships with local, national, and international
organizations.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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