Coronavirus

First identified in Humans in the 1960’s, coronaviruses belong to the family Coronaviridae; which is one of three RNA virus families within the order Nidovirales. The family is comprised of two subfamilies, Coronavirinae and Torovirinae; with members of Coronavirinae being divided into the four genera of alpha, beta, gamma and delta. Both coronaviruses and toroviruses are positive-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses, and were previously associated with mild respiratory symptoms. However, since 2002 the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have both been shown to cause severe respiratory diseases. The most recent coronavirus strain identified SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in the current global pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

A beta coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 shares approximately 80% of its RNA sequence with SARS-CoV. It has four major structural proteins: the nucleocapsid protein (N), membrane protein (M), spike protein (S) and envelope protein (E). The spike protein (S) consists of two subunits, S1 and S2. The S1 subunit contains a receptor binding domain, which attaches to host cellular membrane receptors, such as Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The S2 subunit allows for membrane fusion. In order to enter the host cell, the S protein requires priming by host proteases, such as TMPRSS2. The spike glycoproteins also give the virus its distinctive crown-like appearance and name. The nucleocapsid (N) protein is expressed mainly in the cytoplasm, and it’s binding to the CoV genome, allows it to be packaged into the ribonucleoprotein complex (capsid). The membrane (M) protein defines the shape of the viral envelope. Finally, the envelope (E) protein is integrated into the virion envelope.

Everest Biotech has been manufacturing anti-peptide and antigen affinity purified goat polyclonal antibodies since 2000. Please see our list of Coronaviurs related antibodies below, and check out our Coronavirus flyer here.

Antibodies for Coronavirus