The furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a key determinant for transmission due to enhanced replication in airway cells.
T. P. Peacock, D. H. Goldhill, J. Zhou, L. Baillon, R. Frise, O. C. Swann, R. Kugathasan, R. Penn, J. C. Brown, R. Y. Sanchez-David, L. Braga, M. K. Williamson, J. A. Hassard, E. Staller, B. Hanley, , W. S. Barclay
This study shows the furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein enhances replication in airway cells, contributing to transmission efficiency.
bioRxiv · Sep 30, 2020 · PreprintMicrobiology