Spike (BA.1.1, Omicron Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped VSV Delta G (Luciferase Reporter)

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) . As the first step of the viral replication, the virus attaches to the host cell surface before entering the cell. The viral Spike protein recognizes and attaches to the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor found on the surface of type I and II pneumocytes, endothelial cells, and ciliated bronchial epithelial cells. Drugs targeting the interaction between the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and human ACE2 may offer protection against viral infection.  The Omicron Variant was identified in South Africa in November of 2021. This variant has several mutations that allow the virus to spread more easily and quickly than other variants. As of May 2022, Omicron variants have been divided into seven distinct sub-lineages: BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5. Compared with BA.1 (B.1.1.529), BA.1.1 has an additional R346K substitution in the spike protein.Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an enveloped, negative-stranded RNA virus that infects a wide range of animals and less frequently humans, causing mild flu-like symptoms. Its simple structure and its ability to grow in most mammalian cell types has made VSV a valuable tool to study virus entry, replication, and assembly. The glycoprotein of VSV (VSV-G), which binds to the LDL-receptor (low-density lipoprotein receptor), is responsible for the attachment and entry of VSV into a susceptible host cell. Recombinant VSV in which the glycoprotein was deleted (VSV Delta G) can accept viral envelop proteins from a variety of other viruses, allowing to generate pseudotypes that represent robust models to screen for neutralizing antibodies and other inhibitors of virus entry. The pseudoviruses can be engineered to transduce a reporter gene such as Firefly Luciferase or a fluorescent protein, so that viral entry can be monitored using luminescence or fluorescence.The Spike (BA.1.1 Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped VSV Delta G (Luciferase Reporter) virus contains BA.1.1 variant SARS-CoV-2 Spike instead of VSV-G, which allows the pseudovirus to bind to ACE2-expressing cells.

BiosafetyThe infectivity of VSV Delta G is restricted to a single round of replication. The pseudovirus can be handled using Biosafety Level 2 containment practices. BPS Bioscience recommends following all local, federal, state, and institutional regulations and using all appropriate safety precautions.Troubleshooting GuideFor all further questions, please email[email protected].