spike protein

English

Noun

spike protein (plural 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.

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Hyponyms

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

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