nucleocapsid

[ noo-klee-uh-kap-sid, nyoo- ]

noun

, Microbiology.

1. the nucleic acid core and surrounding capsid of a virus; the basic viral structure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nucleocapsid¹

First recorded in 1960–65; nucleo- + capsid ¹

Example Sentences

Hisner notes that early on in the pandemic a common mutation that turned up in many variants right at or around the usually-highly phosphorylated N3 region of the nucleocapsid likewise decreased phosphorylation — just like the mutation that produced N* — and that this also appeared to produce more severe disease.

From Salon

In fact, with XEC’s spike protein being pretty much the same as the currently leading variant, the explanation for its surprising growth seems to be that this time it’s a change in the nucleocapsid protein, not in the spike protein, that is giving it a relative edge.

From Salon

Ryan Hisner, a teacher and co-author of several papers on variants, told Salon that where XEC is most surprising is in the third of these: N, the nucleocapsid.

From Salon

The nucleocapsid protein is far and away the most abundant protein in the virus.

From Salon

The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody test will specifically look for prior infection.

From Washington Post