Epitope-based chimeric peptide vaccine design against S, M and E proteins of SARS-CoV-2 etiologic agent of global pandemic COVID-19: an in silico approach

M. Shaminur Rahman; M. Nazmul Hoque; M. Rafiul Islam; Salma Akter; A. S. M. Rubayet-Ul-Alam; Mohammad Anwar Siddique; Otun Saha; Md. Mizanur Rahaman; Munawar Sultana; M. Anwar Hossain

Introduction neutralizing antibodies and long-term protective immunity in animal models 9 . Furthermore, the E 103 and M proteins also have important functions in the viral assembly of a coronavirus and can 104 augment the immune response against SARS-CoV 11,16,17 . Monoclonal antibodies with potent 105 neutralizing activity have become promising candidates for both prophylactic and therapeutic 106 interventions against SARS-CoV-2 infections 13 . Therefore, the generation of antibodies targeting 107 the RBD and/or NTD of the S glycoprotein, M and E proteins of SARS-CoV-2 would be an 108 important preventive and treatment strategy that can be tested further in suitable models before 109 clinical trials 18 . The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), buried inside 110 phospholipid bilayer, is the major protein in the helical nucleocapsid of virion. This protein is 111 reported to be more conserved than other structural proteins, an important B cell immunogen, as 112 well as, can elicit long lasting and persistent cellular immune responses. Nevertheless, we did 113 not consider this protein in the chimeric vaccine formation because of its initial unavailability 114 outside of the host cell during infection 19 .