spike proteins
Corona's surface projections
Spike proteins are structures that protrude from the surface of certain viruses, giving them a crown-like appearance.
They enable viruses to attach to and enter host cells.
The term became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the coronavirus spike protein was the target of mRNA vaccines: The vaccine teaches your body to recognize the spike protein.
- coronavirusSpike-ringed viral family
- omicron variantNamed COVID-19 mutation
- antigenImmune response inducer
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
immune response · receptors · tropism · vaccines · booster shot · glycoprotein · pandemic · gain of function · molecules · trimer · membranes · mRNA vaccines · envelopes · pathogen · protease · viral replication · epitope · endocytosis
- Antigensantigen, allergens, immunogen, epitope, allergen
- Glycoproteinsglycoproteins, mucin, immunoglobulin, immunoglobulins, fibrinogen
viral structural components
spike proteinsviral genome
Virus's complete genetic sequence
viral RNA · capsid · genetic material · nucleic acid · polymerase