COVID-19 Update: UK and South African Variants

1 Apr, 2021

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Advanced ImmunoChemical now has available anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein monoclonal antibodies (anti-SC-NP) that are expected to detect both the United Kingdom and South African variants of SARS-CoV-2.

The UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as VOC 202012/01, lineage B.1.1.7, or 20B/501Y.V1) has two mutations in the nucleoprotein: D3L and S235F. The epitope specificities of our key anti-SC-NP monoclonal antibodies: C518, C524, C706, C715 and NP1527 are in the region of N47-A173. The UK mutations are thus outside the epitope region of these clones. It is expected then that these five MAbs will be able to detect the UK variant.

The South African variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as 501.V2, 20C/501Y.V2 or B.1.351 lineage) does not have any mutations in its nuceloprotein and should therefore be detected by all our anti-SC-NP MAbs.

For a list of these antibodies and pair recommendations, see data sheet below:

Cat. #5-CVnp. Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2, Nucleoprotein

The UK variant has deletions and mutations within the spike protein, one of which is within the RBD part of the protein (N501Y). Our anti-spike MAbs are specific to RBD region. More information will be coming as to the effect of this mutation to the specificity of these antibodies.

Cat. #5-CVs. Monoclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2, spike

*SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus causing COVID-19. In March 2020, the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to a large family of single-stranded RNA viruses (+ssRNA). Beta-coronaviruses such as SARS-CoVs can cross species barriers and cause in humans illness ranging from a common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndorme (SARS, identified in 2003) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS, identified in 2012).

It is recommended to develop an assay that uses more than ( >2) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), in other words, more than 1 pair. Continuing mutations of SARS-CoV-2 and the spread of new variants in different parts of the world makes including more than two MAbs per test necessary. This increases the likelihood of creating a SARS-CoV-2 test that detects different variants in the future.

Coming soon: Polyclonal anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein

At Advanced ImmunoChemical, Inc., we provide ISO-9001 manufactured antibodies, viral antigens, recombinant proteins, and PCR enzymes. Our company is an important critical raw material supplier to the IVD industry, government, and academia. Since 1986, our mission has been to help close the gap between biomarker discovery and meaningful clinical use that paves the way to improved patient outcomes.

Browse our products and order online: AdvImmuno.com/shop

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