An ectodomain is the

domain A domain is a geographic area controlled by a single person or organization. Domain may also refer to: Law and human geography * Demesne, in English common law and other Medieval European contexts, lands directly managed by their holder rather ...

of a

membrane A membrane is a selective barrier; it allows some things to pass through but stops others. Such things may be molecules, ions, or other small particles. Membranes can be generally classified into synthetic membranes and biological membranes. Bi ...

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...

that extends into the

extracellular This glossary of biology terms is a list of definitions of fundamental terms and concepts used in biology, the study of life and of living organisms. It is intended as introductory material for novices; for more specific and technical definitions ...

space (the space outside a

cell Cell most often refers to: * Cell (biology), the functional basic unit of life * Cellphone, a phone connected to a cellular network * Clandestine cell, a penetration-resistant form of a secret or outlawed organization * Electrochemical cell, a de ...

). Ectodomains are usually the parts of proteins that initiate contact with surfaces, which leads to

signal transduction Signal transduction is the process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a biochemical cascade, series of molecular events. Proteins responsible for detecting stimuli are generally termed receptor (biology), rece ...

. A notable example of an ectodomain is the S protein, commonly known as the spike protein, of the viral particle responsible for the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. The ectodomain region of the spike protein (S) is essential for attachment and eventual entry of the viral protein into the host cell. Ectodomains play a crucial part in the signaling pathways of viruses. Recent findings have indicated that certain antibodies including the anti-receptor binding domain (anti-RBD) or anti-spike ectodomain (anti-ECD) IgG titers can act as virus neutralization titers (VN titers) which can be identified in individuals with diseases, dyspnea and hospitalizations. In perspective of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) these specific ectodomains may detect antibody efficacy against SARS-Cov-2, in which VN titers can classify eligible plasma donors. Protective measures against diseases and respiratory conditions can further be advanced through ongoing research on ectodomains. Ectodomain's play a crucial part in the signaling pathways of viruses. In perspective of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) these specific ectodomains may detect antibody efficacy against SARS-Cov-2, in which VN titers can classify eligible plasma donors. Protective measures against diseases and respiratory conditions can further be advanced through ongoing research on ectodomains. Ectodomains also interact with membrane systems inducing vesicle aggregation, lipid mixing and liposome leakage which provides information as to how certain viruses spread infection throughout the cellular domain. Specifically, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) utilize a fusion process in which the ectodomain of HCV E2 envelope protein confers fusogenic properties to membrane systems implying HCV infection proceeds throughout the cell through receptor mediated endocytosis. These findings in the role of the ectodomains interacting with target membranes give insight into virus destabilization and mechanism of the fusion of viral and cellular membrane which is yet to be further characterized.

References

{{Reflist Protein domains Protein structure

See also

References