Aspects of the physiochemical properties of SARS-CoV-2 to prevent S-protein receptor binding using Arabic gum

Mohamed Mohamady Ghobashy,Sheikha A Alkhursani,Ahmad S Kodous,Dalal Mohamed Alshangiti,Abeer S Meganid,Samera Ali Al-Gahtany,Mohamed Madani

doi:10.1515/gps-2022-0018

Abstract

Abstract With the number of people infected with the new coronavirus exceeding millions of confirmed infections, the world is turning to scientists and researchers, everyone is waiting – impatiently – for the results of the research that is being carried out in full swing to find an effective treatment for the virus. The recent development of the virus has witnessed at least 17 mutations that may affect its external shape, especially on the S-protein receptor-binding domain (RBD), which helps it attach to human cells’ receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) to make RBD–ACE2 interaction and entry to host cell. This interaction becomes stronger in the new strains of the coronavirus due to a mutation that occurs in the S-proteins that attach to human cells. For researchers and scientists to be able to confront this pandemic that has spread in the world like wildfire, they must be armed with accurate understanding and clear knowledge about coronavirus. This study focuses on polysaccharides, specifically negatively polysaccharides, that can interfere with the positive charge of the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2, thus inhibiting the virus’s infectivity and destroying it. In addition, polysaccharides will boost the immune function of the vaccine, thereby fostering nonspecific immunity of the body and specific immunity of the body, cellular immunity, mucosal immunity, humoral immunity, and decreased pro-inflammatory expression. This research aims to reduce the attachment power and modify the pulling apart of the RBD and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) by polysaccharide molecules such as Arabic gum (AG) and carrageenan. The adapted fluorometric assay is used to investigate the probability of Arabic gum and ACE2 interactions. The obtained results confirmed that the interaction could take place between Arabic gum and ACE2. Several literature studies promote the use of the urchin egg as antiviral, especially for SARS-CoV-2, because it has sulfated fucan polysaccharide molecules that prevent interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with a host cell. But, to the best of our knowledge, we found that the effect of urchin egg as antiviral, especially for SARS-CoV-2 is very difficult due to the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the human cells containing sugars that terminate with N-glycolylneuraminic (Neu5Ac) as found in the sperm of sea urchin. So, s most probably an interaction has occurred between Neu5Ac in IgG of human cells and sulfated fucan polysaccharide molecules of urchin egg.

Highlights

The British government announced the discovery of a new variant of the emerging coronavirus in some areas of the country and indicated that investigations are continuing regarding this “surge” in the virus
These results proved for the first time that Arabic gum is a targeted inhibitor for angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2)
It is indicated that the anionic polysaccharides such as Arabic gum and carrageenan can inhibit the activation of coronaviruses, especially SARS-CoV-2 by preventing the pathway of receptor-binding domain (RBD)–ACE2 interaction, which may help to suppress the danger of coronavirus

Summary

Introduction

The British government announced the discovery of a new variant of the emerging coronavirus in some areas of the country and indicated that investigations are continuing regarding this “surge” in the virus. Governments imposed a complete closure for about a year or more in some countries, and they partially returned sectors to work, not at their full capacity, in addition to imposing comprehensive closures in days in certain areas or specific areas. In most of these times, human activity, movement, trade, economy, culture, and freedom of movement had ceased. We stand on the cusp of the end of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, while uncertainty overwhelms everything, especially since we do not see an imminent end to the pandemic, which calls for an assessment of the damage caused to the various sectors, and we must present a roadmap for how we should manage in these sectors in the event of a prolonged crisis

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