ABSTRACT
Intro: The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, an enveloped RNA of the coronavirus family. The advancement in molecular technology and biochemistry has accelerated the development of diagnostic reagents and assays. Much attention has been focused on the S protein, but the high mutation rate in this region could lead to false negative results. Thus, a better target protein for diagnostic application is needed for accurate detection. Method(s): Nucleotide sequences encoded for membrane (M) glycoprotein gene region of SARS-CoV-2 from Malaysian isolates were extracted from GISAID, aligned, and selected accordingly. The DNA plasmid was commercially synthesized with codon optimization for Escherichia coli (E. coli), and the presence of the M gene was confirmed by PCR. The plasmid was then transformed into E. coli. Later, the expression of M glycoprotein was induced, separated on an SDS-PAGE gel, and transferred onto a nitrocellulose membrane, followed by immunostaining. Finding(s): The analysis of the M glycoprotein against the Omicron strains demonstrated that the amino acid is conserved (99.5%). The M glycoprotein was successfully expressed and detected with antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients at ~26 kDa. The protein is currently upscale for the generation of monoclonal Ab (Mab). Discussion(s): The M protein of SARS-CoV-2 is more conserved among the virus and also has been reported to confer antigenic properties. Selection of M protein perhaps a better option compared to current detection assays that use spike (S) protein, which could lead to false negative results, as this gene region particularly the ribosome-binding domain (RBD) rapidly undergoes mutations. The utilization of M protein potentially improves negative predictive value (NPV) of the diagnostic test. Conclusion(s): Further development of diagnostic reagents is needed to improve the assay's specificity. The newly developed M protein and the MAb can be used to generate a more accurate viral detection assay.Copyright © 2023
ABSTRACT
Many countries including Malaysia are aiming for cashless society, in which represent the transition of business transaction from cash to electronic-based transactions. Hence, the escalating trend of using electronic payment system can be observed especially during the COVID-19 crisis where consumers are transitioning to electronic commerce (e-commerce) as well as mobile commerce (m-commerce) business, however there are consumers who are not keen on e-wallet usage. Thus, this research aims to investigate the barriers towards the adoption of E-Wallet payment system. Based on Innovation Resistance Theory (IRT), the barriers refer to the factors of value barrier (VB), usage barrier (UB), risk barrier (RB) and perceived cost barrier (PCB). The results of the research were obtained from 248 respondents of fourth year students in the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, University Malaysia Kelantan with the help of Krejcie and Morgan table sampling method and through the use of questionnaire. Besides, Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) method and Spearman’s correlation analysis were also used to analyze the data from the questionnaire. It was found that value barrier, usage barrier, risk barrier as well as perceived cost barrier have a significant relationship with the adoption of E-wallet payment system. As the results highlighted the barricades that cease an individual from using e-wallet despite of its benefits, the policy maker can ponder the result to accelerate the adoption of e-wallet to a more desirable level in the nation. © International Research Publication House