SARS-CoV-2 

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2  (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus causing the corona virus disease (COVID-19).
• It is the successor of SARS-CoV-1 which appeared in 2002.
• It was first named in February 2020. It has a spike protein layer surrounding the genetic material of the virus.

Multiplication of the virus:

• Once it enters the human body, the virus attaches itself with the human enzyme called ACE2 receptor, then it enters the human cell and then makes multiple copies of it.

Why in the news?

A study published in SCIENCE journal has shown that the spike protein of the SARS-COV-2 changes its shape after the fusion with the human cell. It transforms into a hair-pin like structure after the fusion with a human  cell.

• The changes in the shape of the virus protects the virus from the human immune system by distracting the antibodies, which are majorly activated against the postfusion state of the virus. Hence our antibodies cannot stop the prefusion state of the virus. This study will be important to develop vaccines and devise a route to channelize the antibodies against the virus.
• Scientists say that our vaccines should have caliber to fight with both the prefusion state of the virus and postfusion state of the virus so that we have better protective efficiency.

References:

1. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it
2. https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Spike-Proteins.aspx