Live view of me watching tv specials about the vaccine, and thinking it’s great there are infographics, but then seeing that the mRNA-expressed spike proteins aren’t transmembrane-anchored.
Ok, my lay followers are gathering me up in the comments like “huh?” I was purposely making a corny science joke, but folks are here to learn. So...
The spike protein is a surface molecule on the virus so the point of vaccination is to teach your immune system how to recognize it. So if you come in contact with the virus later your body is quick to fight off the virus.
The mRNA vaccines contain the message for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequence. mRNA is pretty cool because upon vaccination, the message is sent to your cells telling them to make coronavirus spikes.
A little extra razzle dazzle is that the spikes stick out on the cell surface (“transmembrane-anchored”).
Many infographics show them being pushed out of the cell which is slightly unfactual.
Many infographics show them being pushed out of the cell which is slightly unfactual.
https://twitter.com/novapbs/status/1331660126781120514
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