spike protein

English

Noun

spike protein (plural spike proteins)

The turquoise extrusions of this SARS-CoV-2 virus are its spike proteins.

1. (virology) A protein used to bind or connect membranes together, such as a transmembrane link between a virus and a cell.
   • 2020 July 28, Katherine J. Wu, “The Coronavirus Could Dodge Some Treatments, Study Suggests”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Many vaccines against the coronavirus, as well as several treatments, take aim at its spike protein, the virus’s most potent weapon — and its Achilles’ heel. Without its spikes, the pathogen can’t get into human cells.

Synonyms

• peplomer protein
• S-protein
• S

Hyponyms

• moesin (a human spike protein encoded by the MSN gene, used to link intracellular membranes)

Derived terms

• S-protein (abbreviation)
• S (abbreviation)

Translations

type of protein

• Finnish: piikkiproteiini (fi)

Further reading

• spike protein on Wikipedia.Wikipedia