Spike S2 subunit: the dark horse in the race for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions against SARS-CoV-2

KT Ng, NK Mohd-Ismail, YJ Tan - Vaccines, 2021 - mdpi.com
KT Ng, NK Mohd-Ismail, YJ Tan
Vaccines, 2021mdpi.com
In the midst of the unceasing COVID-19 pandemic, the identification of immunogenic
epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein plays a vital role in the advancement
and development of intervention strategies. S is expressed on the exterior of the SARS-CoV-
2 virion and contains two subunits, namely the N-terminal S1 and C-terminal S2. It is the key
element for mediating viral entry as well as a crucial antigenic determinant capable of
stimulating protective immune response through elicitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies …
In the midst of the unceasing COVID-19 pandemic, the identification of immunogenic epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein plays a vital role in the advancement and development of intervention strategies. S is expressed on the exterior of the SARS-CoV-2 virion and contains two subunits, namely the N-terminal S1 and C-terminal S2. It is the key element for mediating viral entry as well as a crucial antigenic determinant capable of stimulating protective immune response through elicitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and activation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in COVID-19 patients. Given that S2 is highly conserved in comparison to the S1, here, we provide a review of the latest findings on the SARS-CoV-2 S2 subunit and further discuss its potential as an attractive and promising target for the development of prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic agents against COVID-19.
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