spike protein

noun

variants or less commonly spike glycoprotein

plural spike proteins also spike glycoproteins

: a glycoprotein that protrudes from the envelope of some viruses (such as a coronavirus) and facilitates entry of the virion into a host cell by binding to a receptor on the surface of a host cell followed by fusion of the viral and host cell membranes

Like a key in a lock, these spike proteins fuse to receptors on the surface of cells, allowing the virus's genetic code to invade the host cell, take over its machinery and replicate.

—Bruce Lieberman

Their results, published in Science, confirm that the spike protein on the virus that causes COVID-19 is quite similar to that of its close relative, the SARS virus.

—Francis Collins

Using a powerful imaging technique … , researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Weill Cornell Medical College and Yale University School of Medicine observed the motions of key proteins on the surface of HIV called spike proteins.

—Emily Mullin

called also S protein

Examples of spike protein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

PolitiFact has seen claims that spike proteins from vaccines are replacing sperm in vaccinated males. —Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Mar. 2024

The Caltech lab chose a part of Covid’s famous spike protein called a receptor binding domain (RBD), which helps the virus enter and infect a host cell. —Maggie Chen, WIRED, 26 July 2022

To manufacture the spike protein, Novavax uses the same process that has been long utilized for vaccines—such as the Hepatitis B vaccine—that have been around for many years. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

With Covid-19, the prominent spike protein fit the bill. —Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

spike protein

noun

variants also spike glycoprotein

: a glycoprotein that protrudes from the envelope of some viruses (as a coronavirus) and facilitates entry of the virion into a host cell by binding to a receptor on the surface of a host cell followed by fusion of the viral and host cell membranes

called also S protein