Elucidation of novel molecular mechanisms involved in coronavirus transmission to humans

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17270
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58020:Hygiene and public health-related: including laboratory approach
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: KINOSHITA Takaaki 長崎大学, 高度感染症研究センター, 助教 (00803181)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 新型コロナウイルス / 糖鎖

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has spread widely around the world, and the resurgence of infection has occurred many times due to the repeated emergence of mutant strains. Many issues remain, such as establishing treatments for the after-effects, and there are many unknowns about how SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted to humans and its transmission mechanism.
In this research, we aimed to clarify molecules involved in transmission to humans by analyzing the sugar chain structure that SARS-CoV-2 binds to. We analyzed it and found that it binds to sialic acid-containing chains and some glycosaminoglycans.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、SARS-CoV-2 が結合する糖鎖構造を解析し、シアル酸含有する糖鎖やいくつかのグリコサミノグリカンと結合することを明らかにした。これらの結果は、SARS-CoV-2のヒトへの伝播メカニズムを明らかにする上で、重要な知見となる可能性がある。また、今回明らかにした糖鎖構造は、SARS-CoV-2に対する治療薬の新規のターゲットとなりうる。