Spike protein
The red and orange parts of this coronavirus are peplomers
A Spike protein or peplomer is a glycoprotein spike on the outside layer (or capsid) of a virus.[1] When a virus attaches to a cell, these peplomers can only attach to certain receptors on the cell. They are very important for choosing which cell it attaches to and how infectious a virus is.
Spike Protein Media
Coronavirus spike proteins (turquoise) projecting from the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The protein is glycosylated and its glycans are shown in orange.
3D print of one of the trimeric spikes of SARS-CoV-2
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Related pages
References
- ↑ Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (3rd ed.). Elsevier, Inc. 2007. as cited in "peplomer". The Free Dictionary. Farlex. 2011. Retrieved 30 Mar 2011.