Subgenomic RNA Detection in SARS-CoV-2 Assessing Replication and Inactivation Through Serial Passages, RT-qPCR, and Electron Microscopy

Subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) are potential markers of active SARS-CoV-2 replication, serving as templates for the synthesis of structural and accessory proteins in infectious viral particles. This study aimed to use RT-qPCR to quantify sgRNA and negative RNA intermediates, assessing viral replication in virus samples inactivated by β-propiolactone (βPL). Inactivated viruses subjected to five blind serial passages (BSs) were amplified by RT-qPCR using primers to target the envelope (ENV) and nucleoproteins (N1 and N2) of genomic genes, subgenomic envelope RNA (sgENV), and intermediate envelope RNA (ENV-). All positive controls showed consistent viral titers across passages (10 log10 copies/mL in N1/N2 and 11 log10 copies/mL in ENV) during BSs. Inactivated viral samples for ENV and ENV- targets ranged from 11.34 log10 copies/mL in BS1 to 11.20 log10 copies/mL in BS5. The sgENV was no longer detected in the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 samples after the second passage, suggesting successful inactivation. Replication kinetics showed consistent profiles for N1/N2, ENV, and ENV- targets in the first three post-infection hours (pih) and maintained approximately 5 log10 copies/mL at 1 pih, 2 pih, and 3 pih. A sharp exponential increase in the viral titer was observed from 24 pih onwards, peaking at 11.64 log10 copies/mL at 48 pih. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed viral particles only in cells infected with active SARS-CoV-2. These results support the use of sgRNA as a reliable marker for SARS-CoV-2 replication, especially in distinguishing between active replication and non-viable particles and in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.