SARS Spike Monoclonal
Description
Product Specs
The antibody was developed using a synthetic peptide from the Spike S2 glycoprotein for the Human SARS coronavirus (Genbank accession number NP_828851.1) corresponding to amino acids 1124-1140.
Mouse IgG3 kappa.
Product Science Overview
The spike protein (S protein) is a crucial component of coronaviruses, including the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This protein is a large glycoprotein that protrudes from the surface of the virus, giving it a crown-like appearance under an electron microscope, which is why these viruses are named coronaviruses .
The spike protein is composed of two subunits, S1 and S2. The S1 subunit contains the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is responsible for binding to the host cell receptor. For SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, this receptor is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The S2 subunit contains the fusion peptide and other elements necessary for the fusion of the viral and cellular membranes, a critical step for viral entry into the host cell .
The spike protein is highly immunogenic, meaning it can elicit a strong immune response. This property makes it a primary target for neutralizing antibodies, which are antibodies that can block the virus from infecting cells. The spike protein’s role in viral entry and its immunogenicity have made it a focal point for vaccine development and therapeutic interventions .
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system’s attack on cells. They are designed to bind to specific targets, known as antigens, which can be found on the surface of pathogens or cancer cells .
The production of monoclonal antibodies involves several steps:
- Immunization: An animal, usually a mouse, is immunized with the antigen of interest.
- Cell Fusion: B cells from the immunized animal are fused with myeloma cells (cancer cells) to create hybridoma cells. These hybridomas can produce antibodies and divide indefinitely.
- Screening: Hybridomas are screened to identify those producing the desired antibody.
- Cloning: The selected hybridomas are cloned to produce large quantities of the monoclonal antibody .
Monoclonal antibodies have a wide range of applications in diagnostics, research, and therapy. They are used to diagnose diseases, such as infections and cancer, and to treat conditions like autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, including COVID-19 .
Given the spike protein’s critical role in viral entry and its high immunogenicity, it has become a prime target for monoclonal antibody therapy. Monoclonal antibodies targeting the spike protein can neutralize the virus by preventing it from binding to the ACE2 receptor on host cells, thereby blocking infection. This approach has been used in the development of therapeutic antibodies for COVID-19, providing a means to treat and prevent the disease .
