Posted on 04/02/2020 11:51:35 AM PDT by Red Badger
Researchers in the United States have unveiled the structure of the "spike protein" of 2019-nCoVthe virus behind the current coronavirus disease outbreak.
Despite the fact that researchers have already pieced together the virus's genetic sequence, the World Health Organisation has warned that a vaccine is still 18 months away.
But knowing the structure of the virus's spike protein gives us crucial information about exactly how the virus infects host cells. This could be a vital piece of the puzzle in making the hoped-for vaccine a reality.
What is a spike protein?
A viral spike protein is like a key that "unlocks the door" to gain access to the cells of a specific hosthumans, in this case. To understand how to deal with 2019-nCoV, we first need to understand what this key looks like, and what "keyhole" it targets on human cells. This is exactly what the new paper, published overnight in Science, is all about.
The researchers, led by Jason McLellan of the University of Texas at Austin, defined the structure of 2019-nCoV's spike protein using a technique called cryogenic electron microscopy, or "Cryo-EM". This involves cooling the protein to below -150℃, so that it crystallises and then its structure can be determined with near-atomic resolution.
The newly discovered molecular structure of the 2019-nCoV spike protein, which the virus uses as a key to gain access to human cells. Credit: Wrapp et al. 2019/Science
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They also identified the "keyhole", the host cell receptor: it is a human protein called angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This is the same human receptor protein targeted by the earlier SARS coronavirus.
But, disturbingly, the researchers found that 2019-nCoV binds to ACE2 with much higher affinity (10-20 times higher!) than SARS. In other words, 2019-nCoV's "key" is a lot "stickier" than the SARS one. It's like a SARS "key" covered in superglue. This means that once it's in the lock, it's far less likely to be shaken loose and is therefore presumably more effective at invading our cells.
So what about a vaccine?
The researchers reasoned that, given that both viruses attack the same protein on human cells, it would be worth seeing whether the already available antibodies against SARS-CoV would work against 2019-nCoV. Unfortunately, they didn't work.
This means we still have to wait for a stronger solution to this problem. Perhaps this is a reflection of the ongoing "arms race" between humans and viruses. We have stronger weapons now, thanks to scientific advances, but our enemies are gaining strength toonow they are using superglue against us!
Globally, the competition is heating up to hunt for the best anti-2019-nCoV vaccine. But as the old Chinese proverb says, "distant water can't put out a nearby fire". The earliest clinical trials to test a suitable vaccine will not be available until several months or even a year after a candidate vaccine is identified, and the global coronavirus outbreak may well be controlled by then.
The discovery of the 2019-nCoV spike protein structure therefore represents both good news and bad. The good news is now we know what it looks like, it will be easier to find the most suitable weapon against the virus. The bad news is the enemy is much stronger than we thought, and our current ammunition depot doesn't have anything efficient against it.
...the World Health Organisation has warned that a vaccine is still 18 months away.
They are as worthless as the UN’s IPCC. Actually they are both worse than useless. Their misinformation is downright dangerous.
They make it sound unique when that’s how virii work.
The people that do this for a living give the term brainiacs a new meaning,. In my eyes.
Who were the politicians, including Presidents before DJT, who okayed our prescription medications, OTC medications, medical devices, vaccines, antibiotics, food stuffs, clothing, pet food, etc. to be made by the Communist Chinese and actually trusted them while personally taking billions to stuff into their own personal bank accounts? Or, bank accounts of family members. Shall we check Zero, Pelosi, Feinstein, Clintoons, Paul Ryan, Romney, and the rest of the political hacks! When did the Communist Chinese become our trusted friends going back to the unsettled end of the Korean War? Trust your enemies at your own peril!
Any vaccines we get from now on better not come from China and India, etc. who was using Chinese ingredients.
Now, remember all the medications you’ve swallowed for how long from China. Wonder what was in them now?
They make it sound unique when thats how virii work.
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True dat!
It’s written for lay people...................
Here's one...
13 February 2020, "Vir Biotechnology discovers two antibodies against new coronavirus."
It’s written to frighten lay people.
Brits call them ‘Boffins’........................
With associate images that are incomprehensible .
Thats why I skipped it, out of my league
Hmmm...from January...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3812556/posts?page=71;q=1#71
“Uncanny similarity of unique inserts in the 2019-nCoV spike protein to HIV-1 gp120 and Gag”
That article was withdrawn... https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.01.30.927871v1
True, but this one’s key protein is an especially good fit. Thus it is better at invading thru your mucous membranes into cells.
But look on the bright side!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_coronavirus_pandemic#Epidemiology
United States
Cases 238,063
Deaths 5,764
Recoveries 10,324
[Records to be added throughout the day.]
Its almost like it was engineered.
Every so often, God likes to clean house............................
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