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New compound can prevent SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses from entering cells

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a compound that prevents SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses from entering cells.

11 Oct 2021

The role of inhibiting palmitoylation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on viral infectivity

It is demonstrated that palmitoylation of the first five cysteine residues of the C-terminal domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein facilitates cell entry and the formation of syncytia.

11 Oct 2021

Review of COVID-19 clinical and viral characteristics, pathogenesis, and genetics

A new review article investigates the clinical and viral characteristics, pathogenesis, as well as human genetic basis associated with COVID-19.

27 Sep 2021

Changes in fibrin clot structure contributes to thrombosis risk in severe COVID-19

Researchers from Europe recently demonstrated altered levels of factor XII (FXII) and its activation products in 2 independent cohorts of critically ill patients with COVID-19 compared to patients suffering from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by the influenza virus (acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-influenza).

21 Sep 2021

Antiviral compound RG10 acts via intracellular SARS-CoV-2-ER dynamics

A new study describes a small molecule referred to as RG10 that may have potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in human cells.

16 Sep 2021

Evolved SARS-CoV-2 viruses gain higher infectivity and cause more rapid infection spread

Viruses accumulate mutations as they replicate in infected cells. Repeated replication can lead to viral strains that show attenuated virulence. Such strains may act as vaccines if the attenuated virus can produce immunity without serious disease.

16 Sep 2021

Results from Phase 0/1 trial of ribociclib plus everolimus in patients with high-grade glioma announced

The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, the largest early-phase drug development program for brain cancer in the world, announced results from their Phase 0/1 clinical trial of ribociclib plus everolimus in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG).

13 Sep 2021

Mystery of roe deer embryonic diapause revealed

Everyone is familiar with the roe deer, either from crossword puzzles or from real-life encounters during a jog or a hike in the forest: majestic creatures with elegant big black eyes.

28 Aug 2021

Does SARS-CoV-2 affect male fertility?

A recently published review describes the state of current knowledge regarding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system.

23 Aug 2021

Data reinforces SAB-185’s potential to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants

A study, available on the pre-print server bioRxiv*, evaluated the neutralizing capacity of a fully human polyclonal antibody (SAB-185) against the Delta, Kappa, and Lambda variants using a lentiviral-based pseudovirus assay.

17 Aug 2021

Role of neutrophil-epithelial interactions in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers discuss the relationship between airway neutrophils and SARS-CoV-2 infection to determine the impact that neutrophils have on COVID-19.

15 Aug 2021

A new promising target for broad-spectrum therapeutics against coronaviruses

A recent study by Canadian and US researchers demonstrates how frameshift signals of coronaviruses represent a viable target for developing novel therapeutics with broad-spectrum activity – not only against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but also other constituents of the coronavirus family. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

11 Aug 2021

Research shows how SARS-CoV-2 variants are evolving towards increased furin cleavage efficiency

The spike protein comprises of two subunits: S1 subunit having the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that helps it to bind to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is present on the cell surface of the host, and the S2 subunit that helps in the fusion of the cellular membrane and the viral membrane.

9 Aug 2021

Virus-like particles reveal unexpected mechanism for increased fitness and spread of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers in the United States have developed a new model for testing mutations in the four structural proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

9 Aug 2021

New method for producing pseudotyped virus particles bearing spike protein of SARS-CoV-2

A new study discusses the development of an improved protocol based on cell lines that can consistently express S proteins.

5 Aug 2021

Redhill Biopharma announces completion of Phase 2/3 COVID-19 study of oral opaganib

RedHill Biopharma Ltd., a specialty pharma company that is a leader in the development of novel oral therapies for COVID-19, today announced that all treatment and follow-up has now been completed in the 475-patient global Phase 2/3 study with opaganib (ABC294640) in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (NCT04467840). Top-line results are expected in the coming weeks.

20 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 mutations L452 and E484Q do not work together to evade antibodies

A short report recently published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases demonstrates how spike mutations L452R and E484Q found in the variant B.1.617.1 of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) each confer modestly diminished sensitivity to Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccine-elicited antibodies – with combined mutations having a similar impact as either one of them alone.

19 Jul 2021