Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 P.2 Spike (GCN4-IZ) His Protein, CF

Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 P.2 Spike (GCN4-IZ) His Protein, CF Summary

Product Specifications

Product Datasheets

Carrier Free

CF stands for Carrier Free (CF). We typically add Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a carrier protein to our recombinant proteins. Adding a carrier protein enhances protein stability, increases shelf-life, and allows the recombinant protein to be stored at a more dilute concentration. The carrier free version does not contain BSA.

In general, we advise purchasing the recombinant protein with BSA for use in cell or tissue culture, or as an ELISA standard. In contrast, the carrier free protein is recommended for applications, in which the presence of BSA could interfere.

Background: Spike

SARS-CoV-2, which causes the global pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), belongs to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses that are commonly comprised of four structural proteins: Spike protein(S), Envelope protein (E), Membrane protein (M), and Nucleocapsid protein (N) (1). SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein (S Protein) is a glycoprotein that mediates membrane fusion and viral entry. The S protein is homotrimeric, with each ~180-kDa monomer consisting of two subunits, S1 and S2 (2). In SARS-CoV-2, as with most coronaviruses, proteolytic cleavage of the S protein into two distinct peptides, S1 and S2 subunits, is required for activation. The S1 subunit is focused on attachment of the protein to the host receptor, while the S2 subunit is involved with cell fusion (3-5). A metallopeptidase, angiotensin‑converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), has been identified as a functional receptor for SARS-CoV-2 through interaction with a receptor binding domain (RBD) located at the C-terminus of S1 subunit (6,7). The S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 shares 65% amino acid (aa) sequence identity with the S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-1, but only 22% aa sequence identity with the S1 subunit of MERS-CoV. The differences in aa sequence identity is consistent with the finding that SARS and MERS bind different cellular receptors (8). The S Protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds ACE-2 with higher affinity and faster binding kinetics than its SARS-CoV-1 counterpart (9). Before binding to the ACE-2 receptor, structural analysis of the S1 trimer shows that only one of the three RBD domains in the trimeric structure is in the "up" conformation. This is an unstable and transient state that passes between trimeric subunits but is nevertheless an exposed state to be targeted for neutralizing antibody therapy (10). Polyclonal antibodies to the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit have been shown to inhibit interaction with the ACE-2 receptor, confirming RBD as an attractive target for vaccinations or antiviral therapy (11). There is also promising work showing that the RBD may be used to detect presence of neutralizing antibodies present in a patient's bloodstream, consistent with developed immunity after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus (12). Lastly, it has been demonstrated the S Protein can invade host cells through the CD147/EMMPRIN receptor and mediate membrane fusion (13, 14). Several emerging SARS-CoV-2 genomes have been identified, including the P.2 or Zeta variant. First identified in Brazil, the P.2 variant contains several mutations in the S protein predicted to affect viral fitness and transmissibility. The E484K mutation, found within the RBD domain, is a potentially crucial mutation as it creates a new site for hACE-2 binding and may enhance binding affinity (15). The D614G mutation is located nearby to the RBD domain and has been shown to increase viral infectivity (16). Additionally, the E484K substitution alone has been shown to confer resistance to several monoclonal antibodies and is responsible for the first confirmed SARS-CoV-2 reinfection (17).

Related Research Areas

• Infectious Diseases