Scientists have uncovered a new vulnerability in the spike protein of the novel coronavirus, which enables the virus to enter host cells, an advance that may lead to potential treatment pathways against COVID-19.
The researchers, including those from Northwestern University in the US, noted that the spike protein contains the virus’ binding site, which adheres to host cells and enables it to enter and infect the body.
In the study, published in the journal ACS Nano, they used simulations of this protein at ultrasmall scales, in the order of nanometres, and discovered a positively charged site — known as the polybasic cleavage site — located 10 nanometers from the actual binding site on the spike protein.
They said this positively charged site allows strong bonding between the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein and the negatively charged human-cell receptors.
Leveraging this discovery, the scientists then designed a negatively charged molecule to bind to the positively charged cleavage site.
They said blocking this site inhibits the virus from bonding to the host cell. (PTI)
