美国波士顿儿童医院Bing Chen团队解析出SARS-CoV-2突刺蛋白的不同构象状态。这一研究成果于2020年7月21日在线发表在《科学》上。

Title: Distinct conformational states of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Author: Yongfei Cai, Jun Zhang, Tianshu Xiao, Hanqin Peng, Sarah M. Sterling, Richard M. Walsh, Shaun Rawson, Sophia Rits-Volloch, Bing Chen

Issue&Volume: 2020/07/21

Abstract: Abstract Intervention strategies are urgently needed to control the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic. The trimeric viral spike (S) protein catalyzes fusion between viral and target cell membranes to initiate infection. Here we report two cryo-EM structures, derived from a preparation of the full-length S protein, representing its prefusion (2.9 resolution) and postfusion (3.0 resolution) conformations, respectively. The spontaneous transition to the postfusion state is independent of target cells. The prefusion trimer has three receptor-binding domains clamped down by a segment adjacent to the fusion peptide. The postfusion structure is strategically decorated by N-linked glycans, suggesting possible protective roles against host immune responses and harsh external conditions. These findings advance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 entry and may guide development of vaccines and therapeutics.

DOI: 10.1126/science.abd4251

Source: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/07/20/science.abd4251