SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: Site-specific breakpoints for the development of COVID-19 vaccines

Palaniyandi Velusamy; Kannan Kiruba; Chia-Hung Su; Viswanathan Arun; Periasamy Anbu; Subash C B Gopinath; Baskaralingam Vaseeharan

doi:10.1016/j.jksus.2021.101648

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: Site-specific breakpoints for the development of COVID-19 vaccines

J King Saud Univ Sci. 2021 Dec;33(8):101648. doi: 10.1016/j.jksus.2021.101648. Epub 2021 Oct 19.

Authors

Palaniyandi Velusamy¹, Kannan Kiruba², Chia-Hung Su³, Viswanathan Arun⁴, Periasamy Anbu⁵, Subash C B Gopinath⁶, Baskaralingam Vaseeharan⁷

Affiliations

¹ 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.
² Department of Biotechnology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025, TN, India.
³ Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, Taishan, Taipei 24301, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Biotechnology SRFBMST, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600 116, TN, India.
⁵ Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Republic of Korea.
⁶ Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology and Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau 02600, Perlis, Malaysia.
⁷ 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.

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.

Keywords: Coronavirus; SARS-CoV2; Spike Protein; Vaccine; Virus Entry.

Publication types

Review