Overview:

Novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused the pandemic of the respiratory diseases (COVID-19) around the world in 2020 (1). The spike glycoprotein (S) of coronavirus, a type I transmembrane protein containing two subunits, S1 and S2 is known to bind with host cells through the interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (2). Recently, a variant of SARS-CoV-2 carrying D614G mutation in the Spike protein has become the most prevalent form in the global pandemic. This G614 variant of Spike protein has been associated experimentally with higher infectivity and clinically with higher viral loads in infected individuals (3).

Gene Aliases:

2019-nCoV s1, SARS-CoV-2 spike S1, SARS-CoV-2 S1, novel coronavirus spike s1, nCov spike s1, coronavirus spike S1.

Genbank Number:

MN908947

References:

1. Zhou P, et al: A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin. Nature. 2020, 579:270-89.

2. Lan J, et al: Crystal structure of the 2019-nCov spike receptor-binding domain bound with the ACE2 receptor. Nature. 2020, 581:215-220.

3. Korber B, et al: Tracking changes in SARS-CoV-2 Spike: Evidence that D614G increases infectivity of the covid-19 virus. Cell. 2020, 182:812-82.