What is the N-Protein ?
The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of SARS-CoV-2 is a structural protein synthesized by the virus, which plays a key role in the RNA packaging into the nucleocapsid. Its function is to mediate viral assembly through interaction with the viral genome and M protein, helping to increase viral RNA transcription and replication. Characterization studies have shown that N protein is very immunogenic and the antibodies against N protein present higher sensitivity and longer persistence than those against other structural proteins of SARS-CoV. These findings allow to consider N protein as a potential target for vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2.