SARS-CoV-2 Spike (991-1000) – Antimicrobial Peptides – AMP

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is present on the outside of the virus particles and can bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) present on the host cells. The C-terminal receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein binds to the N-terminal peptidase M2 domain of ACE2. This receptor binding results in the internalisation of the virus-receptor complex and is, therefore the mechanism of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. The spike protein residues VQIDRLITGR (991-1000) from SARS-CoV-2 have been identified as a T-cell epitope with a predicted HLA restriction. Immune targeting of confirmed epitopes may potentially offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 and help the development of vaccines for long-lasting immunity.