Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral surface proteins (SARS-CoV-2 surface proteins)

The SARS-CoV-2 viral surface proteins, primarily comprising the Spike (S), Envelope (E), and Membrane (M) proteins, are critical structural components that mediate the virus's life cycle and interaction with the host. The Spike protein is the most prominent, responsible for binding to the host cell receptor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and facilitating viral entry through membrane fusion. The Membrane protein is the most abundant and plays a central role in viral assembly and morphogenesis by interacting with other structural proteins, while the Envelope protein is involved in viral budding and pathogenesis, often acting as a viroporin or ion channel. These proteins are the primary targets for therapeutic intervention; the Spike protein is the focus of most vaccines and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, while the M and E proteins are emerging as targets for novel small-molecule antivirals. Targeting these surface proteins aims to block viral entry, inhibit assembly, or modulate the host's immune response to the infection.

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 structural proteinsSARS-CoV-2 envelope proteinsSpike proteinEnvelope proteinMembrane protein

Neutralization of viral entry, inhibition of viral assembly, inhibition of membrane fusion, and modulation of host immune response.