Need to know about Coronavirus S-Protein structure, Function, Membrane Fusion Mechanism & Notable Therapeutic Strategies.  An Overview.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has set off a global pandemic.

       The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has focused attention on the need to develop effective therapies against the causative agent.       

       As the urgency to develop effective therapeutics against coronaviruses rises, it is important to also consider broad-spectrum properties of such therapies, as there will likely be future outbreaks for which we will need to be prepared for a rapid response.

       Researchers are therefore focusing on steps in the CoV replication cycle that may be vulnerable to inhibition by broad-spectrum or specific antiviral agents.

      The conserved nature of the fusion domain and mechanism across the CoV family make it a valuable target to elucidate and develop pan-CoV therapeutics.

    Thus, an effort has been made in this Booklet to review the role of the CoV spike protein in mediating fusion of the viral and host cell membranes, summarizing the results of research on SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and recent peer-reviewed studies of SARS-CoV-2, and suggest that the fusion mechanism be investigated as a potential antiviral target.

 … Dr. H. K. Saboowala.

             M.B. (Bom) M.R.S.H.(London)