A novel approach has been suggested to use isoelectric points of viral and human proteins to quickly identify proteins that are effective in not allowing virus particles to attach to human receptor cells by virtue of their electrical charge. The method has been applied to SARS CoV-2 to suggest potentially important human proteins that can be suitable for making anti-viral drugs.

Glycosylation, the most significant modification of proteins, plays an essential role in cellular processes. Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are multisystemic diseases resulting from mutations affecting glycosylation steps. Diagnosis of CDG relies on biochemical assays, such as isoelectric focusing. Despite its significance, CDG cases remain unreported in Cuba due to the lack of implemented diagnostic methods. This study aimed to evaluate transferrin glycoforms for diagnosing congenital N-glycosylation defects. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study using serum samples from 17 patients stored at the National Center for Medical Genetics of Cuba for suspected CDG. Results revealed abnormal glycosylation patterns in 7 patients, suggesting congenital N-glycosylation defects. We conclude that the implementation of transferrin glycoform analysis could pioneer a preliminary diagnosis of CDG in Cuba.