Inactivation and spike protein denaturation of novel coronavirus variants by CuxO/TiO2 nano-photocatalysts.

Abstract

In order to reduce infection risk of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), we developed nano-photocatalysts with nanoscale rutile TiO2 (4-8 nm) and CuxO (1-2 nm or less). Their extraordinarily small size leads to high dispersity and good optical transparency, besides large active surface area. Those photocatalysts can be applied to white and translucent latex paints. Although Cu2O clusters involved in the paint coating undergo gradual aerobic oxidation in the dark, the oxidized clusters are re-reduced under > 380 nm light. The paint coating inactivated the original and alpha variant of novel coronavirus under irradiation with fluorescent light for 3 h. The photocatalysts greatly suppressed binding ability of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of coronavirus (the original, alpha and delta variants) spike protein to the receptor of human cells. The coating also exhibited antivirus effects on influenza A virus, feline calicivirus, bacteriophage Qβ and bacteriophage M13. The photocatalysts would be applied to practical coatings and lower the risk of coronavirus infection via solid surfaces.

• Authors: Tetsu Tatsuma, Makoto Nakakido, Takeshi Ichinohe, Yoshinori Kuroiwa, Kengo Tomioka, Chang Liu, Nobuhiro Miyamae, Tatsuya Onuki, Kouhei Tsumoto, Kazuhito Hashimoto, Toru Wakihara
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 4033 (03 10 2023) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 36899059 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• titanium dioxide
• spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
• Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus

Topics

• Humans
• SARS-CoV-2 (metabolism)
• COVID-19
• Protein Denaturation
• Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus (metabolism)