Characterization of a novel coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome

In March 2003, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was discovered in association with cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The sequence of the complete genome of SARS-CoV was determined, and the initial characterization of the viral genome is presented in this report. The genome of SARS-CoV is 29,727 nucleotides in length and has 11 open reading frames, and its genome organization is similar to that of other coronaviruses. Phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparisons showed that SARS-CoV is not closely related to any of the previously characterized coronaviruses

The Catalytic Mechanisms of Binuclear Metallohydrolases

With the aim of critically assessing the current models for metal ion assisted hydrolytic reaction mechanisms, an updated review of the current understanding of metallohydrolase-catalyzed reactions is presented. Focus is on four systems, purple acid phosphatases (PAPs), Ser/Thr protein phosphatases (PPs), 3′-5′ exonucleases, and 5′-nucleotidases (5′-NTs), which have contributed to major advancement of the understanding of the catalytic mechanisms that operate in such enzymes