Mutations from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have created multiple variants. Some variants, such as those found in South Africa and Brazil, have caused concern for their potential to evade the immune response. While vaccination efforts are underway, the world is racing against the viruses’ ability to evolve under selective pressure.
New polypeptide could provide universal protection against coronaviruses
Researchers in the United States have developed an inhibitor of the spike protein found on the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that limits its formation in host human cells that would otherwise be the source of newly generated virions.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the spike protein is the main structure the virus relies on for host cell entry.
Importantly, the inhibitor was effective against the spike proteins of other coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV).
Researchers unveil new SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor that targets viral immune evasion
In a recent quest for an effective antiviral compound, UK researchers have purified a specific enzyme of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) known as nsp15 and optimized fluorescent biochemical endoribonuclease assays to screen a custom chemical library with over 5,000 commercial compounds. The study is currently available on the
bioRxiv preprint server
.
SARS-CoV-2 is a causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a human disease that resulted in millions of deaths, burdened global health systems to near-breaking point, and imperiled economies of countries and families in an unprecedented fashion.
Although vaccination endeavors are well underway, not all countries can access them, and specific antiviral treatments to combat this disease are currently lacking. Remdesivir is the only antiviral drug approved for the treatment of COVID-19; however, its effectivene
Researchers explore an inhalable SARS-CoV-2 nanobody therapy
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the world’s third major coronavirus outbreak. To date, the SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 135 million lives and caused over 2.9 million deaths.
Even as vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are being developed and administered at an unprecedented pace, treating this infection remains a challenge.
To address this, researchers from China have used nanobodies (Nb) as a possible therapeutic approach. In a recent paper, published in the journal
MedComm, they reported Nb phage display libraries derived from four camels immunized with the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD.
SARS-CoV-2 spike E484K mutation reduces antibody neutralization
Caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally. Meanwhile, scientists race to develop therapeutics and vaccines to mitigate its severity and control its spread.
However, faster spreading and potentially more fatal SARS-CoV-2 variants have undermined efforts to turn the tide of the pandemic. Researchers at the Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, USA, showed that the SARS-CoV-2 spike E484K mutation reduces antibody neutralization. Their findings have been published in
Study background
More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus continues to spread, with new variants emerging. To date, three variants are of particular concern: the B.1.1.7 or the United Kingdom variant, the B.1.351 or the South African variant, and the P.1 or the Brazilian variant