Corona viruses have their name because their surfaces are “crimped” by spike-like protein tips, so-called spikes (lat. Corona = wreath). The spikes are in a lipid shell that protects the virus core from harmful influences. This envelope membrane can be destroyed by sufficient contact with soap when washing hands.
–
Sars-CoV-2 enters the body through the mouth, nose and eyes and docks in the airways with the spike protein at the so-called ACE2 receptor. As a result, virus molecules, especially the genetic material, the RNA, but also the proteins and lipids of the virus envelope are introduced into the cell.
Two drugs that have already been approved could potentially open a way to combat the pathogen:
–
Camostat Mesilate, a drug approved in Japan for pancreatitis, inhibits the uptake of the virus into the cell. This has been demonstrated by researchers from the German Primate Center in Göttingen and the Berlin Charité on cell cultures. However, it is not yet clear whether the drug can really help Covid-19 patients. To do this, it must first be tested in clinical studies on patients.
–
