The conserved QTQTX motif in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is dispensable for cleavage and lung cell entry of the emerging variant BA.3.2
Lu Zhang, Nianzhen Chen, Amy Eichmann, Inga Nehlmeier, Ryan Hisner, Christine Happle, Georg M. N. Behrens, Markus Hoffmann, Stefan Pöhlmann
This study shows the QTQTX motif in BA.3.2 S protein is not required for cleavage or lung cell entry, which depends on TMPRSS2 instead.
Journal of Virology · Aug 5, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology