The second spike (IMAGE)

Boston Children's Hospital

The second spike

Caption

SARS-CoV-2 can carry both forms of the spike protein on its surface without needing to bind to the ACE2 receptor. Having some spikes assume the post-fusion form prematurely might help protect SARS-CoV-2 from both the environment and our immune system, the researchers speculate.

Credit

Cai Y; et al. Science Jul 21, 2020.

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