Microcystis viridis NIES-102 Cyanobacteria Lectin (MVL) Interacts with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor Binding Domains (RBDs) via Protein–Protein Interaction

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) posed a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, especially as mutations in the culprit Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) complicated the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs. Therefore, the search for natural products with broad anti-SARS-CoV-2 capabilities is an important option for the prevention and treatment of similar infectious diseases. Lectins, which are widely recognized as antiviral agents, could contribute to the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. This study evaluated the binding affinity of six lectins (including the cyanobacterial lectin from