Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiranjib Chakraborty, Manojit Bhattacharya, Ashish Ranjan Sharma, Bidyut Mallik
Summary: By analyzing the mutations in the Omicron variant using bioinformatics and statistical tools, we have gained insight into their impact on the SARS-CoV-2 variant. The findings show that some mutations increase the flexibility of the virus to interact with the receptor, enhancing its infectivity, while others result in destabilization. This study provides valuable information on the mutational pattern and properties of the Omicron variant, contributing to research in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jiajia Xie, Chengchao Ding, Jun He, Yuqing Zhang, Shuangshuang Ni, Xiangyu Zhang, Qingqing Chen, Jing Wang, Lina Huang, Hongliang He, Wenting Li, Huan Ma, Tengchuan Jin, Siping Zhang, Yong Gao
Summary: Novel SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) were isolated and identified from convalescent COVID-19 patients, showing higher neutralization potency compared to previously reconstructed nAbs. Through cross-recombination of antibody chains, it was discovered that some recombined antibodies exhibited stronger neutralization activity against variant pseudoviruses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xuemei He, Cai He, Weiqi Hong, Jingyun Yang, Xiawei Wei
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic continues due to the emergence of different variants, including Delta and Omicron, which have higher transmissibility, immune evasion, and drug resistance, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. These variants have mutations on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, affecting the virus's characteristics and reducing the neutralization capacity of convalescent or vaccinated individuals. Current COVID-19 vaccines are less effective against these variants compared to the wild-type virus, highlighting the need to understand the impact of mutations on vaccine effectiveness and develop potential strategies for future vaccine development.
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emanuele Andreano, Ida Paciello, Silvia Marchese, Lorena Donnici, Giulio Pierleoni, Giulia Piccini, Noemi Manganaro, Elisa Pantano, Valentina Abbiento, Piero Pileri, Linda Benincasa, Ginevra Giglioli, Margherita Leonardi, Piet Maes, Concetta De Santi, Claudia Sala, Emanuele Montomoli, Raffaele De Francesco, Rino Rappuoli
Summary: In this study, Andreano and Paciello et al. provide insights into the functional and genetic characteristics of the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 cross-protective antibody response. Their findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can induce neutralizing antibodies that cross-neutralize the Omicron variants and SARS-CoV-1 virus.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wenqiang Sun, Lihong He, Huicong Lou, Wenhui Fan, Limin Yang, Gong Cheng, Wenjun Liu, Lei Sun
Summary: Despite the availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, the emergence of new variants and immune evasion remain significant challenges. This study focused on developing more effective antigens and evaluating their cross-protective immunity against different SARS-CoV-2 variants.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Xiaopeng Hu, Jiahua Cui, Jun Chen, Shujuan Du, Xinyu Wang, Yabin Zhang, Jiajun Qian, Haifeng Chen, Fang Wei, Qiliang Cai, Jinping Jia, Ji Wu
Summary: The study identified key interaction sites between the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and human ACE2, as well as essential amino acid residues involved in this interaction. The findings also demonstrated the potential of cephalosporin derivatives in blocking virus infection by binding to these key amino acids.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Byunghoon Kang, Youngjin Lee, Jaewoo Lim, Dongeun Yong, Young Ki Choi, Sun Woo Yoon, Seungbeom Seo, Soojin Jang, Seong Uk Son, Taejoon Kang, Juyeon Jung, Kyu-Sun Lee, Myung Hee Kim, Eun-Kyung Lim
Summary: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has caused a global pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Early diagnosis, isolation, and prevention are crucial due to the lack of specific antiviral drugs and the emergence of viral variants. Researchers have developed a new fluorescence detection method that can accurately detect SARS-CoV-2 in a short period of time with a low detection limit.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaganathan Ramakrishnan, Archana Chinnamadhu, Suganya Suresh, Kumaradhas Poomani
Summary: Currently, there are no approved drugs specifically for treating COVID-19. However, some repurposed drugs have been used. The structure of SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in late 2019, leading to the development of vaccines and repurposed drugs to prevent COVID-19. New variants of the virus have emerged, with changes in the binding mode and increased transmissibility.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rehan M. El-Shabasy, Mohamed A. Nayel, Mohamed M. Taher, Rehab Abdelmonem, Kamel R. Shoueir, El Rafaie Kenawy
Summary: It has been over a year since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in China. The world has witnessed three waves of the virus, with varying characteristics and challenges. Despite a decrease in the sense of danger in most countries, the emergence of new variant strains has raised concerns again. The mutations in COVID-19 have presented an extreme challenge in preventing and treating the virus, and there are still many unanswered questions about the effectiveness of vaccines and the need for annual doses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Gilles Augusto, Mona O. Mohsen, Simon Zinkhan, Xuelan Liu, Monique Vogel, Martin F. Bachmann
Summary: The study found that newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants have higher affinity for the ACE2 receptor and are able to partially bypass immunity generated against the wild-type virus, resulting in increased transmissibility.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Surendra Kumar Nayak
Summary: COVID-19, originating from Wuhan, China, has become a global pandemic with high morbidity and mortality rates. The interaction between the receptor binding domain of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) is crucial for viral cellular entry. Recent studies have shown promising results in inhibiting the attachment and entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells, providing hope for potential therapeutics against COVID-19.
MINI-REVIEWS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shaopeng Yu, Yao Chen, Yusen Xiang, He Lin, Mengge Wang, Wenbo Ye, Pei Zhang, Hongzhuan Chen, Guoqiang Lin, Yuying Zhu, Lili Chen, Jiange Zhang
Summary: The study identified potential inhibitors from traditional Chinese medicine Ephedra sinica Stapf that can disrupt the interactions between ACE2 and both wild and mutated S-RBDs. These inhibitors, including pseudoephedrine (MHJ-17) and its derivative (MHJ-11), also exhibit antiinflammatory activities, making them potential candidates for further drug development.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yunxia He, Weili Yu, Lijuan Shen, Wenying Yan, Lucheng Xiao, Jinming Qi, Tao Hu
Summary: The study demonstrates that covalent conjugation with IC28 and mannan significantly enhances the immune response to respiratory viral infection, generating high levels of neutralizing antibodies. This has important implications for the development of an affordable and easily producible COVID-19 vaccine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Achut Prasad Silwal, Raunak Jahan, Siddhartha Kalpa Samadhi Thennakoon, Satya Prakash Arya, Rick Mason Postema, Elizabeth Claire Vander Ark, Xiaohong Tan
Summary: A universal aptamer that specifically targets diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants has been discovered, which can be utilized in the design of diagnostic and therapeutic molecular tools.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Agata Blaszczuk, Aleksander Michalski, Dominika Sikora, Maria Malm, Bartlomiej Drop, Malgorzata Polz-Dacewicz
Summary: This study compares the antibody levels after infection caused by the Delta and Omicron variants. The results indicate that patients with Omicron variant infection have significantly lower antibody titers, suggesting a potential risk of reinfection with new strains of the Omicron variant. Booster vaccinations are necessary to prevent reinfection.