Biomolecular interactions with nanoparticles: applications for coronavirus disease 2019

• Published in: Current opinion in colloid & interface science 2021-08, Vol.54, p.101461-101461, Article 101461
• Main Authors: Farouq, Mohammed A.H., Al Qaraghuli, Mohammed M., Kubiak-Ossowska, Karina, Ferro, Valerie A., Mulheran, Paul A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Diagnostics; Nanoparticles; Proteins; SARS-CoV-2; Therapeutics
• ISSN: 1359-0294; 1879-0399; 1359-0294
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101461

Nanoparticles are small particles sized 1–100 nm, which have a large surface-to-volume ratio, allowing efficient adsorption of drugs, proteins, and other chemical compounds. Consequently, functionalized nanoparticles have potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. A variety of nanoparticles have been studied, including those constructed from inorganic materials, biopolymers, and lipids. In this review, we focus on recent work targeting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Understanding the interactions between coronavirus-specific proteins (such as the spike protein and its host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) with different nanoparticles paves the way to the development of new therapeutics and diagnostics that are urgently needed for the fight against COVID-19, and indeed for related future viral threats that may emerge. Schematic representation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein receptor-binding domain decorating a nanoparticle. The proteins are shown as a secondary structure colored in pink, whereas one of them is represented as a red surface complexed with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, which is shown in dark blue. [Display omitted]