How much (evil) intelligence can be encoded by 30 kb?

Abstract

Genomes of most RNA viruses are rarely larger than the size of an average human gene (10–15 kb) and still code for a number of biologically active polypeptides that modify the immune system and metabolism of the host organism in an amazingly complex way. Prolonged coevolution developed tricks by which viruses can dodge many protective mechanisms of the host and lead to the formation of molecular mimicry patterns. Some viruses inhibit the interferon response, interfere with the membrane destroying effects of the activated complement cascade. They can replicate in cellular compartments formed by inner membranes of the cell hiding their characteristic features from diverse pattern recognition receptors. In many cases—and in this respect, the new coronavirus is a champion—they can exploit our own defensive mechanisms to cause serious harm, severe symptoms and frequently deadly disease.