Spike (BA.1.1, Omicron Variant R346K) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped Lentivirus (Luc Reporter)

• Description:

  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 ACE2 may offer protection against the viral infection. The Omicron Variant was identified in South Africa in November of 2021. This variant has a large number of mutations that allow the virus to spread more easily and quickly than other variants. As of February 2022, Omicron variants have been divided into four distinct sub-lineages: BA.1 (B.1.1.529), BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3. Compared with BA.1 (B.1.1.529), BA.1.1 has an additional R346K substitution in the spike protein.The Spike (BA.1.1, Omicron Variant R346K) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped Lentiviruses were produced with SARS-CoV-2 BA.1.1 Variant Spike (Genbank Accession #QHD43416.1 with BA.1.1 mutations; see below for details) as the envelope glycoprotein instead of the commonly used VSV-G. These pseudovirions contain the firefly luciferase gene driven by a CMV promoter (Figure 1), therefore, the spike-mediated cell entry can be measured via luciferase activity. The Spike (BA.1.1, Omicron Variant R346K Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) pseudovirus can be used to measure the activity of a neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 BA.1.1 variant in a Biosafety Level 2 facility.As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the Spike BA.1.1 pseudovirus has been validated for use with target cells ACE2-HEK293 (which overexpress ACE2; BPS Bioscience #79951) .Spike Mutations in BA.1.1 Omicron Variant R346K:A67V, Δ69-70, T95I, G142D, Δ143-145, Δ211, L212I, ins214EPE, G339D, R346K, S371L, S373P, S375F, K417N, N440K, G446S, S477N, T478K, E484A, Q493R, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, Y505H, T547K, D614G, H655Y, N679K, P681H, N764K, D796Y, N856K, Q954H, N969K, L981F

• Applications:

  Screen for or titrate neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Spike BA.1.1 variant in ACE2-HEK293 cells.

• Shipping Conditions:

  -80°C

• Storage Conditions:

  Lentiviruses are shipped with dry ice. For long-term storage, it is recommended to store the lentiviruses at -80°C for up to 12 months from date of receipt. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Titers can drop significantly with each freeze/thaw cycle.

• Notes:

  BiosafetyNone of the HIV genes (gag, pol, rev) will be expressed in the transduced cells, as they are expressed from packaging plasmids lacking the packing signal and are not present in the lentivirus particle. Although the pseudotyped lentiviruses are replication-incompetent, they require the use of a Biosafety Level 2 facility. BPS Bioscience recommends following all local federal, state, and institutional regulations and using all appropriate safety precautions.Troubleshooting GuideVisitbpsbioscience.com/lentivirus-faqfor detailed troubleshooting instructions. For all further questions, please email[email protected]

• Formulation:

  The lentivirus particles were produced from HEK293T cells. They are supplied in cell culture medium containing 90% DMEM + 10% FBS.