Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigens (SARS-CoV-2 antigens)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens are the viral proteins that serve as the primary targets for the host immune system and pharmacological interventions. The most critical antigen is the Spike (S) glycoprotein, which mediates viral attachment and entry into host cells by binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Other essential structural antigens include the Nucleocapsid (N) protein, which packages the viral RNA, and the Membrane (M) and Envelope (E) proteins, which are involved in viral assembly and budding. Additionally, non-structural proteins such as the Main Protease (Mpro/3CLpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) are vital for viral polyprotein processing and genome replication, respectively. These antigens are the foundation of COVID-19 management, serving as the active components or templates for vaccines (e.g., mRNA and viral vector vaccines) to elicit protective immunity. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to bind specific epitopes, such as the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the Spike protein, to neutralize the virus and prevent infection. Small-molecule antivirals target the enzymatic functions of non-structural proteins to halt the viral life cycle. Monitoring these antigens and the associated host inflammatory response through various biomarkers is essential for clinical diagnosis, risk stratification, and evaluating therapeutic efficacy.

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 proteinsCOVID-19 antigensSARS-2 antigens2019-nCoV antigens

Neutralization of viral entry, Inhibition of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Inhibition of viral main protease (Mpro), Induction of adaptive immune response (humoral and cellular)