|
1
|
Velusamy P, Kiruba K, Su CH, Arun V, Anbu P, Gopinath SCB, Vaseeharan B. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: Site-specific breakpoints for the development of COVID-19 vaccines. JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY. SCIENCE 2021; 33:101648. [PMID: 34690467 PMCID: PMC8523302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jksus.2021.101648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV2 is a member of human coronaviruses and is the causative agent of the present pandemic COVID-19 virus. In order to control COVID-19, studies on viral structure and mechanism of infectivity and pathogenicity are sorely needed. The spike (S) protein is comprised of S1 & S2 subunits. These spike protein subunits enable viral attachment by binding to the host cell via ACE-2 (angiotensin converting enzyme-2) receptor, thus facilitating the infection. During viral entry, one of the key steps is the cleavage of the S1-S2 spike protein subunits via surface TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease serine 2) and results in viral infection. Hence, the S-protein is critical for the viral attachment and penetration into the host. The rapid advancement of our knowledge on the structural and functional aspects of the spike protein could lead to development of numerous candidate vaccines against SARS-CoV2. Here the authors discuss about the structure of spike protein and explore its related functions. Our aim is to provide a better understanding that may aid in fighting against CoVID-19 and its treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Palaniyandi Velusamy
- Research and Development Wing, Central Research Laboratory, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai- 600 044, TN, India
| | - Kannan Kiruba
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025, TN, India
| | - Chia-Hung Su
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, Taishan, Taipei 24301, Taiwan
| | - Viswanathan Arun
- Department of Biotechnology SRFBMST, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600 116, TN, India
| | - Periasamy Anbu
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Republic of Korea
| | - Subash C B Gopinath
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology and Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau 02600, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Baskaralingam Vaseeharan
- Nanobiosciences and Nanopharmacology Division, Biomaterials and Biotechnology in Animal Health Lab, Department of Animal Health and Management, Alagappa University, Science Campus 6th Floor, Karaikudi 630 004, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|