B cell epitope designing and their docking with ACE2 receptor for
peptide based subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: An antigen informatics
approach
Abstract
Emerging pathogens have been an eternal threat to mankind. In a series
of pandemics caused by notorious coronaviruses, a newly emerged virus is
creating panic among world population. Originating in late December,
2019 from Wuhan, China, the SARS-CoV-2 is spreading its terror
throughout the world. The virus is rapidly transmitted due to
unavailability of effective theranostics. In this study, multiple
sequence alignment of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was done and four novel
inserts were found in comparison to SARS-CoV. Using computational
informatics tool viz. IEDB B-cell epitopes prediction tool, B-cell
immunogenic epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was predicted. Five
novel potent epitopes i.e. ‘71SGTNGTKRFDN81, 247SYLTPG252, 634RVYST638,
675QTQTNSPRRARSV687 and 1054QSAPH1058 were selected as antigenic
determinants and their docking with the 3D structure of ACE2 receptor
was delineated. The quantum of information generated by this study will
prove beneficial for development of effective therapeutics, diagnostics
and multiepitopic vaccines to combat this ongoing menace.