• 9964432222
  • Mail Us
  • Appointment
  • Locate Us
  • Chat Now
  • Courses
  • Login
  • Register
Manifest IAS
JournalsOfIndia
Advertisement
  • Home
  • SNIPPETSfor Prelims
  • ARTICLESfor Mains
  • BROWSEBY SOURCE
  • DOWNLOADS
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • SNIPPETSfor Prelims
  • ARTICLESfor Mains
  • BROWSEBY SOURCE
  • DOWNLOADS
No Result
View All Result
JournalsOfIndia
No Result
View All Result
Home Science & Tech

Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2

February 8, 2021
in Science & Tech
Reading Time: 3min read
0
Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2
33
VIEWS
Share on WhatsAppShare on TelegramShare on Facebook
  • The spike protein of He further stated that if the protein is not stable, antibodies may be induced but they will be less effective in terms of blocking the virus.  — the ‘corona’ in the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 disease — has just revealed new secrets.

What is a spike protein?

  • The SARS-CoV-2 is a spherical shell featuring spike protein which appears like a crown. 
  • This protein initiates the process of infection in a human cell by attaching itself to the ACE2 receptor, before replicating. 

What does the new research say?

  • Dr Bing Chen along with his colleagues at the  Boston Children’s Hospital carried out research using the cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) technique on the strain of the virus. 
  • They freeze-framed the spike protein before and after its fusion with the cell. After binding with the ACE2 receptor, the spike protein changes its shape to the rigid hairpin. 
  • The researchers also concluded that the spike can also become visible before the fusion, even without the virus getting attached to the cell. 
  • The researchers are of the view that the alternative shape of the protein protects the SARS-CoV-2 from breaking down. 
  • Virus remains viable on various surfaces for a variable time, this can be due to the rigid shape of the spike protein. 
  • Another conclusion that can be drawn is that the postfusion shape protects the protein from our immune system. 
  • This is because the post-fusion shape may induce antibodies that do not neutralize the virus. 

How is the latest research helpful?

  • The latest research on the shape of the spike protein may help the development of the vaccines for the novel virus faster. 
  • Many vaccines are underway and use the spike protein to stimulate the immune system. 
  • Dr Chen believes that there’s a need for stabilising the spike protein in its prefusion structure to block the changes that lead to its postfusion shape. 

Is there any similarity between the pre and post-fusion forms?

  • Yes, there’s a similarity between the pre and post-fusion forms as the sugar molecules in both of them are evenly located on the surface and are known as Glycans. 
  • It is because of glycans, the virus ditches the immune system.

SARS-CoV-2

A new strain of the coronavirus emerged in the United Kingdom and has spread to other countries including India. 

  • According to some sources, this variant could be about 70% more transmissible than the original strain.
  • India reported positive cases of the new strain around the end of December 2020.
  • More than fifty countries, including India, have imposed travel restrictions to and from the UK.
  • The new strain is called SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01 or “B.1.1.7.”
  • It was first discovered in September in the southeast of England.
  • This strain emerged independently and is not related to another new strain that emerged in South Africa in mid-December.
  • The new strain includes a genetic mutation in the “spike” protein that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus uses to infect human cells.
  • There are concerns that although there may not be much change in the symptoms and the mortality rates remain the same, if the virus spreads more efficiently it may lead to increased hospitalisations, that strain the health systems.
  • But experts say that there is a high probability that the vaccines being prepared for the virus would work for the new strain as well.
  • As on 11 January 2021, there were 96 cases of the new UK mutant strain in India.

 

Source: Indian Express
Tags: News PaperPrelims

Related Posts

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD)

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD)

February 22, 2021
Curiosity rover mars

Curiosity rover mars

February 22, 2021
Draft Humans in Space Policy for India, 2021

Draft Humans in Space Policy for India, 2021

February 20, 2021
Perseverance Rover

Perseverance Rover

February 20, 2021
Draft Space Based Remote Sensing Policy of India – 2020

Draft Space Based Remote Sensing Policy of India – 2020

February 20, 2021
Geo Tagging Technology

Geo Tagging Technology

February 19, 2021
Geo-Fencing Technology

Geo-Fencing Technology

February 19, 2021
Nanobodies

Nanobodies

February 18, 2021
NAVARITIH

NAVARITIH

February 18, 2021
Detailed Genome Map of the Malaria Mosquito Vector

Detailed Genome Map of the Malaria Mosquito Vector

February 17, 2021
Please login to join discussion
February 2021
MTWTFSS
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
« Jan    

Browse by Category

  • Agriculture
  • Disaster Management
  • Economy
  • Environment
  • Ethics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Geography
  • Governance
  • History
  • Law & Policy
  • Opinion
  • People in News
  • Places in News
  • Science & Tech
  • Security
  • Society

Browse by Tags

AIR Down to Earth EU g20.utoronto.ca GS-1 GS-2 GS-3 GS-4 imi3.nhp.gov.in Kurukshetra Mains News Paper PIB powergridindia.com Prelims RSTV Science Reporter Survey Yojana Zee news
JournalsOfIndia

Our vision is to orient the readers to grasp the facts objectively and analyse critically. In the rush of reaching first to the readers, the websites miss the balanced opinion, which is the need of the hour. We aim to reach the readers with more crispness, preciseness and relevance. We bring the articles in UPSC way for the civil services aspirants and the Wisest Way for general readers.

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Disaster Management
  • Economy
  • Environment
  • Ethics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Geography
  • Governance
  • History
  • Law & Policy
  • Opinion
  • People in News
  • Places in News
  • Science & Tech
  • Security
  • Society

Browse by Tag

AIR Down to Earth EU g20.utoronto.ca GS-1 GS-2 GS-3 GS-4 imi3.nhp.gov.in Kurukshetra Mains News Paper PIB powergridindia.com Prelims RSTV Science Reporter Survey Yojana Zee news

Newsletter

The most important UPSC news and events of the day.

Get Journals daily newsletter on your inbox.

© 2020 JournalsOfIndia - A free initiative by Manifest Team.

  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • SNIPPETS
  • ARTICLES
  • BROWSE
  • DOWNLOADS
No Result
View All Result

© 2020 JournalsOfIndia - A free initiative by Manifest Team.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In