Recombinant SARS-CoV Spike (GCN4-IZ) His-tag Protein, CF

Recombinant SARS-CoV Spike (GCN4-IZ) His-tag 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 was discovered in association with cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that infected more than 8,000 persons with over 900 fatalities worldwide in 2002-2003 (1). It belongs to a family of viruses known as coronaviruses that also include MERS and SARS-CoV2 that causes the global pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Coronavirus is commonly comprised of four structural proteins: Spike protein(S), Envelope protein (E), Membrane protein (M) and Nucleocapsid protein (N) (1). SARS-CoV S Protein is a trimeric type-I membrane glycoprotein that mediates membrane fusion and viral entry. 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 (2-4). A metallopeptidase, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), has been identified as a functional receptor for SARS-CoV through interaction with a receptor binding domain (RBD) located at the C-terminus of S1 subunit (5, 6). Based on amino acid (aa) sequence homology, the S protein of SARS-CoV shares 75% and 31% homology with S protein of SARS-CoV2 and MERS, respectively. 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 (7). Antibodies to S protein especially the S1 subunit of SARS-CoV have been shown to inhibit interaction with the ACE-2 receptor, confirming S1 subunit as an attractive target for vaccinations or antiviral therapy (8).

Related Research Areas

• Infectious Diseases