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

The SARS-CoV-2 virion is the complete, infectious unit of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)[1][5]. It is a spherical particle, typically 60–140 nanometers in diameter, consisting of a lipid envelope embedded with structural proteins: spike (S), membrane (M), envelope (E), and nucleocapsid (N)[1][2][5]. The envelope encloses the positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome, coated by nucleocapsid (N) protein[1][5][3]. The spike (S) protein, a glycoprotein, mediates attachment to the human ACE2 receptor and membrane fusion, allowing viral entry into host cells[2][6][8]. The M protein shapes the virion and aids in assembly; the E protein plays a role in envelope formation and viral morphogenesis[1][4][5]. The overall architecture supports viral infection, propagation, and pathogenesis[1][5].

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 particleCOVID-19 virionnovel coronavirus virion