Overview:

Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused the pandemic of the respiratory diseases (COVID-19) around the world since 2020 (1). The spike glycoprotein (S) of coronavirus, a type I transmembrane protein containing two subunits, S1 and S2 is known to bind with host cells through the interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and facilitate viral entry into the host cell (2). ΔH69–V70 deletion in the spike protein has been associated with immune escape in immunocompromised individuals treated with convalescent plasma. SARS-CoV-2 with D614G mutation exhibit increased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies and N439K mutation results in enhanced binding affinity to the hACE2 receptor. As new variants emerge, it is pivotal to evaluate their transmissibility, virulence and their possible tendency to escape antibody neutralization (3).

Gene Aliases:

2019-nCoV s1, SARS-CoV-2 spike S1, SARS-CoV-2 S1, novel coronavirus spike s1, nCoV spike s1, coronavirus spike S1.

Genbank Number:

MN908947

References:

1. Zhou P, et al: A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin. Nature. 2020, 579:270-89. 2. Lan J, et al: Crystal structure of the 2019-nCov spike receptor-binding domain bound with the ACE2 receptor. Nature. 2020, 581:215-220. 3. Harvey WT, et al: SARS-CoV-2 variants, spike mutations and immune escape. Nat Rev. Microbiol. 2021, 19:409–424.