In the midst of the unceasing COVID-19 pandemic, the identification of immunogenic epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein plays a vital role in the advancement and development of intervention strategies. S is expressed on the exterior of the SARS-CoV-2 virion and contains two subunits, namely the N-terminal S1 and C-terminal S2. It is the key element for mediating viral entry as well as a crucial antigenic determinant capable of stimulating protective immune response through elicitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and activation of CD4 + and CD8 + cells in COVID-19 patients. Given that S2 is highly conserved in comparison to the S1, here, we provide a review of the latest findings on the SARS-CoV-2 S2 subunit and further discuss its potential as an attractive and promising target for the development of prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic agents against COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, Coronavirus disease 2019, spike glycoprotein, S2 subunit, 【초록키워드】 Vaccine, COVID-19 pandemic, Intervention, Prophylactic, CD4, CD8, viral entry, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody, therapeutic agent, glycoprotein, epitope, COVID-19 patients, Activation, protective immune response, antigenic, immunogenic, virion, subunits, Cell, conserved, expressed, C-terminal S2, exterior, N-terminal S1, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 spike, race, horse, dark,