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

• Background:

  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 (B.1.1.529 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, BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3.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.2 Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped VSV Delta G (Luciferase Reporter) virus contains BA.2 variant SARS-CoV-2 Spike instead of VSV-G, and like SARS-CoV-2 it binds to ACE2-expressing cells.

• Description:

  The Spike (BA.2 Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped VSV Delta G (Luciferase Reporter) was produced with SARS-CoV-2 Spike (Genbank Accession #QHD43416.1 containing all the Omicron BA.2 mutations; see below for details) as the envelope glycoprotein instead of VSV-G. The pseudovirions contain the firefly luciferase gene; therefore, the spike-mediated cell entry can be measured via luciferase activity. The Spike (BA.2 Variant) (SARS-CoV-2) Pseudotyped VSV Delta G (Luciferase Reporter) can be used to measure the activity of a neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 variant in a Biosafety Level 2 facility.

• Applications:

  Screen or titrate neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Spike proteinModel virus entry in Vero-E6, Calu-3, and ACE2-HEK293 cells

• Shipping Conditions:

  -80°C

• Storage Conditions:

  The VSV Delta G pseudovirus is shipped with dry ice. For long-term storage, it is recommended to store the virus 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:

  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].

• Formulation:

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