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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance
Published on: June 14, 2022
A novel neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting the N-terminal domain of the MERS-CoV spike protein
Yingzhu Chen1,2, Shuai Lu2, Hao Jia1,2
1School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science and Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Wenzhou 325035, China.
Abstract:
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused fatal infections, some through hospital-acquired transmission, in affected regions since its emergence in 2012. Although the virus is not pandemic among humans, it poses a great threat to public health due to its zoonotic origin. Thus, both preventative and therapeutic countermeasures are urgently needed. In this study, we discovered a panel of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against MERS-CoV, which mapped to a wide range of regions on the spike (S) protein of the virus. In addition to mAbs with neutralizing epitopes located on the receptor-binding domain, one mAb, 5F9, which binds to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the MERS-CoV S1 subunit, showed efficient neutralizing activity against the wild-type MERS-CoV strain EMC/2012, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.2 μg/mL. We concluded that a novel neutralizing epitope for MERS-CoV also resides on the NTD of the S protein, indicating that the NTD might be important during the viral infection process. Our findings have significant implications for further vaccine design and for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic monoclonal immunotherapies against MERS-CoV infection.
Insights
Researchers identified a new neutralizing antibody target on the MERS-CoV spike protein's N-terminal domain. This discovery is crucial for developing effective vaccines and therapies against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012, causing fatal infections and posing a significant public health threat due to its zoonotic origin.
- Hospital-acquired transmission of MERS-CoV highlights the urgent need for preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover novel neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting MERS-CoV.
- To identify new epitopes on the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein for therapeutic intervention.
Main Methods:
- Screening and characterization of a panel of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against MERS-CoV.
- Mapping of antibody epitopes to various regions of the MERS-CoV S protein, including the N-terminal domain (NTD).
- Assessment of the neutralizing activity of identified mAbs against the wild-type MERS-CoV strain EMC/2012.
Main Results:
- A panel of neutralizing mAbs against MERS-CoV was discovered, targeting diverse regions of the S protein.
- One mAb, 5F9, targeting the MERS-CoV S1 subunit's NTD, demonstrated potent neutralizing activity (IC50 = 0.2 μg/mL).
- Identification of a novel neutralizing epitope on the NTD of the MERS-CoV S protein.
Conclusions:
- The N-terminal domain (NTD) of the MERS-CoV spike protein harbors a novel neutralizing epitope.
- The NTD is a potential target for developing effective MERS-CoV vaccines and immunotherapies.
- These findings support the development of prophylactic and therapeutic monoclonal antibody treatments against MERS-CoV.
