-Covid-19 binds to the ACE2 receptor but delta variant binds 2-4 times more strongly due to S1 spike protein mutations creating more stabi...
-Covid-19 binds to the ACE2 receptor but delta variant binds 2-4 times more strongly due to S1 spike protein mutations creating more stability
-covid19 either enters through proteins: TMPRSS2/cathepsin, or most commonly through an endosome. Delta variant can efficiently use TMPRSS2 allowing for more frequent (and speedier) cell entry. This is because of the cuts on the stalk portion of the spike protein
Fused cell structures (syncytia) seen in cells expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (green). Nuclei are in blue and the cell skeleton is in red
-during infection, spike proteins travel to the cell surface and the cell begins secreting a fatty substance allowing cells to stick together. This causes clusters of cells to stick together. SARS viruses are not known to do this but HIV and herpes viruses are.
