SARS-CoV-2 Syncytium under the Radar: Molecular Insights of the Spike-Induced Syncytia and Potential Strategies to Limit SARS-CoV-2 Replication.
Published version
Published version
Peer-reviewed
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Ali, Hashim https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5056-845X
Naseem, Asma
Siddiqui, Zaheenul Islam https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7767-0158
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection induces non-physiological syncytia when its spike fusogenic protein on the surface of the host cells interacts with the ACE2 receptor on adjacent cells. Spike-induced syncytia are beneficial for virus replication, transmission, and immune evasion, and contribute to the progression of COVID-19. In this review, we highlight the properties of viral fusion proteins, mainly the SARS-CoV-2 spike, and the involvement of the host factors in the fusion process. We also highlight the possible use of anti-fusogenic factors as an antiviral for the development of therapeutics against newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and how the fusogenic property of the spike could be exploited for biomedical applications.
Description
Peer reviewed: True
Keywords
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, TMEM16F, niclosamide, spike, syncytia
Journal Title
J Clin Med
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
2077-0383
2077-0383
2077-0383
Volume Title
12
Publisher
MDPI AG