microbiology question

Question

You work in a laboratory that aims to synthesize a coronavirus vaccine. Unlike current mRNA vaccines, your vaccine would consist of purified components of coronavirus that generate antibody responses by the human body. To make the vaccine, you only want to include coronavirus-specific molecules (i.e. not any molecules derived from human cells). Which component of coronavirus would you NOT consider using in the development of your vaccine?

A- The SARS-CoV-2 N protein

B The SARS-CoV-2 envelope membrane

C The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

D The SARS-CoV-2 E protein

Answer 1

Hi! I can help you with this -

If you want to exclude molecules derived from human cells and focus on coronavirus-specific components, you would not use SARS-CoV-2 E protein.

The E protein ("Envelope" protein) is a structural protein of the virus, but it is not as exposed on the viral surface as the S (spike) protein is. Moreover, the E protein is involved in the assembly and release of the virus, and it interacts with human host cell components. Choosing to exclude the E protein may help in minimizing the inclusion of unnecessary human-derived elements in your design.

Answer 2

D is the answer