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Host Glycan-Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Hyeseong Oh1, Vu Thi Thuy Tien1, Showkot Ahmed1
1Department of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Science, Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 13, 2026
Summary
This review details how SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins use host glycans, like blood antigens and sialic acids, for viral entry. Understanding these glycan interactions is key to developing new antiviral strategies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Glycobiology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Glycan-mediated processes are vital for viral attachment and entry, but their exact roles in enveloped RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2 are not fully understood.
- The SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein's interactions with host glycans are crucial for viral pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current evidence on glycan engagement during SARS-CoV-2 attachment and entry.
- To explore how the spike protein utilizes host glycans and lectin receptors to enhance viral entry and modulate tropism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing structural, functional, and virological data.
- Comparative analysis of glycan dependencies across various human viruses (e.g., influenza, HIV, norovirus).
Main Results:
- The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts with host glycans, including ABO(H) blood group antigens and sialylated glycans.
- These interactions, along with endogenous lectin recognition, facilitate viral attachment, cellular uptake, and host tropism modulation.
- Comparative analysis reveals conserved and distinct glycan exploitation strategies among enveloped viruses.
Conclusions:
- Host glycans play a significant role in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2.
- Understanding these glycan-host interactions provides evolutionary insights into enveloped virus pathogenesis.
- This knowledge can inform the development of novel antiviral therapeutics targeting glycan-mediated entry pathways.
Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2glycan-mediated viral entryheparan sulfatehost–virus interactionslectinssialic acidspike glycoproteinMore Related Videos
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