The Wuhan Pneumonia outbreak: 2019-nCoV virus possesses an open reading frame similar to SARS-CoV ORF6 protein
The current pneumonia epidemic in China could evolve into a pandemic on a global scale if not effectively contained. The 2019-nCoV possesses a 61-amino acid open reading frame resembling SARS-CoV virulence factor - ORF6 peptide. The isoleucine content is 15.9% in ORF6 of SARS-CoV versus 16.4% of that in 2019-nCoV. Given the proton affinity in the carbonyl oxygen in isoleucine, augmented proton traffic can enhance proton-ion antiport and prompt cell swelling. As the content of essential amino acids in the open reading frame of 2019-nCoV reaches 57.4%, a starch/vitamin diet served for short period of time does not give rise to essential amino acids and halts virion production, which could be adopted as prophylactic approach of many viral infections. Plant-based diet or fasting/boiled rice water can also minimize the intake of essential amino acids or all amino acids respectively.