Key mutation sites in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein modulate antibody and ACE2 affinity
An allosteric center or site is one where a molecule other than the substrate to the protein can bind, altering the conformation of the protein. A paper recently uploaded to the preprint server
bioRxiv by researchers at Chapman University in California (Feb 22nd, 2021) utilized computational methods to screen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutants for affinity with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and monoclonal antibodies REG10987 and REG10933. The analysis allowed the group to identify allosteric centers that mediate long-range communication in the protein. The group suggests that it is these centers that allow the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to act in such a versatile manner, modulating the response to antibodies while conserving ACE2 affinity.
Corticosteroid receptor inhibitor shows anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vivo
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To date, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 112 million people and has been responsible for over 2.48 million deaths.
While vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are being administered globally, treatment options for those infected are still limited. A team of researchers examined PT150, which is an allosteric modulator of androgen and glucocorticoid receptors, to assess whether it had any antiviral activity or immunomodulatory activity to decrease the hyperinflammatory response of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The researchers demonstrated PT150 as an effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Syrian golden hamster model. They found that oral PT150 given once daily for seven days prevented replication of SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs, decreased infiltration of macrophages, improved lung pathology
New gene-editing tool enables programming of sequential cuts over time
Researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a new gene-editing technique that allows for the programming of sequential cuts or edits over time.
CRISPR is a gene-editing tool that allows scientists to change the DNA sequences in cells and sometimes add a desired sequence or genes. CRISPR uses an enzyme called Cas9 that acts like scissors to make a cut precisely at a desired location in the DNA. Once a cut is made, the ways in which cells repair the DNA break can be influenced to result in different changes or edits to the DNA sequence.
Cannabinoid receptor agonist shows potential protective effect on SARS-CoV-2-infected human heart cells
As scientists continue to search for effective antidotes to direct and indirect damage caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new preprint research paper posted to the
bioRxiv server demonstrates the potential of cannabinoid receptor agonists to alleviate myocardial damage in this condition even in the absence of any inhibitory effect on viral infection as such.
The features of SARS-CoV-2 infection
The SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to be a primarily respiratory virus, but it also brings about many other effects such as neurological signs and symptoms, gut symptoms, and cardiovascular features.
Could laser-facilitated epicutaneous vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 be an alternative to intramuscular injection?
Common immunization routes for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidates range from intramuscular, nasal and oral to intradermal.
Now, scientists at the University of Salzburg and Pantec Biosolutions AG have developed a laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. The model has induced angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) blocking antibodies in mice.
The study, published on the pre-print
bioRxiv server, shows another potential effective route to administer vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Finding more ways to introduce vaccines can help combat the pandemic.