Receptor-binding domain-based subunit vaccines against MERS-CoV

Virus Research
Volume 202, 16 April 2015, Pages 151-159

Naru Zhang, Jian Tang, Lu Lu, Shibo Jiang, Lanying Du

Abstract

Development of effective vaccines, in particular, subunit-based vaccines, against emerging Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) will provide the safest means of preventing the continuous spread of MERS in humans and camels. This review briefly describes the structure of the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD), discusses the current status of MERS vaccine development and illustrates the strategies used to develop RBD-based subunit vaccines against MERS. It also summarizes currently available animal models for MERS-CoV and proposes a future direction for MERS vaccines. Taken together, this review will assist researchers working to develop effective and safe subunit vaccines against MERS-CoV and any other emerging coronaviruses that might cause future pandemics.

Keywords

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, MERS-CoV, Receptor-binding domain, Subunit vaccines

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) entry inhibitors targeting spike protein

Virus Research
Volume 194, 19 December 2014, Pages 200-210

Shuai Xia, Qi Liu, Qian Wang, Zhiwu Sun, Shan Su, Lanying Du, Tianlei Ying, Lu Lu, Shibo Jiang

Abstract

The recent outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection has led to more than 800 laboratory-confirmed MERS cases with a high case fatality rate (∼35%), posing a serious threat to global public health and calling for the development of effective and safe therapeutic and prophylactic strategies to treat and prevent MERS-CoV infection. Here we discuss the most recent studies on the structure of the MERS-CoV spike protein and its role in virus binding and entry, and the development of MERS-CoV entry/fusion inhibitors targeting the S1 subunit, particularly the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and the S2 subunit, especially the HR1 region, of the MERS-CoV spike protein. We then look ahead to future applications of these viral entry/fusion inhibitors, either alone or in combination with specific and nonspecific MERS-CoV replication inhibitors, for the treatment and prevention of MERS-CoV infection.

Keywords

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, MERS-CoV, Receptor-binding domain, Fusion inhibitor, Entry inhibitor, Six-helix bundle