Table 2.

A summary of SARS‐CoV‐2 structural proteins, binding sites, and their roles (Astuti & Ysrafil, 2020)

Protein Name	Binding mechanism	Role
Spike protein (S)	Utilizes an N‐terminal signal sequence to gain access to the ER (endoplasmic reticulum)	Mediates attachment to host receptors
Nucleocapsid protein (N)	Binds the viral genome in a beads‐on‐a‐string type conformation	Tethers the viral genome to replicase‐transcriptase complex, packages the encapsulated genome into viral particles
Envelope protein (E)	A transmembrane protein with ion channel activity	Facilitates assembly and release of the virus; involved in ion channel activity
Membrane protein (M)	Binds to nucleocapsid	Promotes membrane curvature