Significance of Sialoglycans in SARS-CoV2 Infection Comment

ABSTRACT

The second wave of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has hit India badly with a rapid surge of cases. One of the greatest challenges in managing infections from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the incomplete knowledge regarding the disease course, hypersensitivity, and relative resistance in a number of individuals. Recently, it has been reported that besides the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), certain sialic acids present on the cell surface may also function as potential receptors for binding the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. In this brief commentary we briefly discuss the role of sialic acids in SARS-CoV-2 infection and suggest more research investigations pertaining to this arena. This may pave the way for breakthrough solutions to combat the current pandemic more effectively by developing specific drug-targeted therapies.