SARS Coronavirus Virion (CoV) - A Halo of Spikes

The coronavirus family is named after the corona, or halo, effect that is seen surrounding the virus when viewed by electron microscopy. The capsid protein of the virus is the spike, or S, glycoprotein. This protein interacts with the host receptor in order to bind to the cells and then fuse with the host cell membrane.

Shown here is an idealized view of the virus, showing its external capsid - made up of the spike glycoproteins.

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