Core fucose-specific Pholiota squarrosa lectin (PhoSL) as a potent broad-spectrum inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein (S protein) is highly N-glycosylated, and a "glycan shield" is formed to limit the access of other molecules; however, a small open area coincides with the interface to the host's receptor and also neutralising antibodies. Most of the variants of concern have mutations in this area, which could reduce the efficacy of existing antibodies. In contrast, N-glycosylation sites are relatively invariant, and some are essential for infection. Here, we observed that the S proteins of the ancestral (Wuhan) and Omicron strains bind with Pholiota squarrosa lectin (PhoSL), a 40-amino-acid chemically synthesised peptide specific to core-fucosylated N-glycans. The affinities were at a low nanomolar level, which were ~ 1000-fold st

SUBMITTER: Yamasaki K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9539343 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature