Review of Ribosome Interactions with SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causing pathogen of the unprecedented global Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Upon infection, the virus manipulates host cellular machinery and ribosomes to synthesize its own proteins for successful replication and to facilitate further infection. SARS-CoV-2 executes a multi-faceted hijacking of the host mRNA translation and cellular protein synthesis. Viral nonstructural proteins (NSPs) interact with a range of different ribosomal states and interfere with mRNA translation. Concurrent mutations on NSPs and spike proteins contribute to the epidemiological success of variants of concern (VOCs). The interactions between ribosomes and SARS-CoV-2 represent attractive targets for the development of antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. Recently approved COVID-19 mRNA vaccines also utilize the cellular machinery, to produce antigens and trigger immune responses. The design features of the mRNA vaccines are critical to efficient mRNA translation in ribosomes, and are directly related to the vaccine’s efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity. This review describes recent knowledge of how the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ genomic characteristics interfere with ribosomal function and mRNA translation. In addition, we discuss the current learning of the design features of mRNA vaccines and their impacts on translational activity in ribosomes. The understanding of ribosomal interactions with the virus and mRNA vaccines offers the foundation for antiviral therapeutic discovery and continuous mRNA vaccine optimization to lower the dose, to increase durability and/or to reduce adverse effects.