Vaccines and Therapeutics for COVID-19 - How Can Understanding SARS-CoV-2 Glycosylation Lead to Pharmaceutical Advances?

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 160 million people worldwide. Researchers have targeted the SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins to better combat the pandemic. Of the four structural proteins, spike (S), membrane (M), envelope (E) and nucleocapsid (N), the S, M and E proteins are glycosylated whereas the N protein is phosphorylated. The glycosylation of the S protein has been reported previously by multiple research groups, and this knowledge has assisted the pharmaceutical industry in developing vaccines and treatment options. In the United States, there are currently three approved COVID-19 vaccines. All three of these vaccines use the S protein to teach host cells how to react when SARS-CoV-2 particles are present. Treatment options utilizing antivirals and immunosuppressants are being developed in addition to vaccines. Different treatment approaches are needed based on the severity of COVID-19 infection. The therapeutic options currently available are not derived through the direct knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 glycosylation. However, more research on the glycosylation of the structural proteins and how this effects SARS-CoV-2 and host cell binding could lead to new and more effective therapeutics. Herein we outline the current vaccine and therapeutic options against COVID-19 available to the public, as well as those still in development.