The role of electric charge in SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections

Piotr H. Pawłowski; Piotr Zielenkiewicz; Piotr H. Pawłowski; Piotr Zielenkiewicz

doi:10.3934/biophy.2024011

AIMS Biophysics

2024, Volume 11, Issue 2: 166-188. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2024011

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Research article

The role of electric charge in SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections

Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland

Received: 02 February 2024 Revised: 07 May 2024 Accepted: 14 May 2024 Published: 23 May 2024

This study analyzed the role of electric charge in human viral infections. Examples of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), dengue, Ebola, influenza A, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are presented. Charge distribution in SARS-CoV-2 and electrostatic interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), were evaluated, and the mean time required for respired SARS-CoV-2 virus attachment was evaluated. The virus–cell attachment modality of all of the above viruses was calculated. The impact of electric charge on other viral-related processes, such as replication of virion material, release, and immune response, was also discussed. Special charge conditions in virus treatments were also indicated.
- coronavirus,
- COVID-19,
- SARS-CoV-2,
- Delta,
- spike protein S,
- amino acids,
- dengue,
- Ebola,
- influenza A,
- RSV,
- electric charge
Citation: Piotr H. Pawłowski, Piotr Zielenkiewicz. The role of electric charge in SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections[J]. AIMS Biophysics, 2024, 11(2): 166-188. doi: 10.3934/biophy.2024011

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Abstract

This study analyzed the role of electric charge in human viral infections. Examples of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), dengue, Ebola, influenza A, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are presented. Charge distribution in SARS-CoV-2 and electrostatic interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), were evaluated, and the mean time required for respired SARS-CoV-2 virus attachment was evaluated. The virus–cell attachment modality of all of the above viruses was calculated. The impact of electric charge on other viral-related processes, such as replication of virion material, release, and immune response, was also discussed. Special charge conditions in virus treatments were also indicated.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Author contributions

PH Pawłowski: Conceived and designed the theoretical models, analyzed data, and drafted the manuscript. P Zielenkiewicz: Critical feedback, data analysis, and revised the manuscript.

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