近日，德国马克斯普朗克研究所Martin Beck等研究人员利用SARS-CoV-2突刺的原位结构分析，揭示了由三个铰链介导的柔性。相关论文于2020年8月18日在线发表在《科学》杂志上。

Title: In situ structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike reveals flexibility mediated by three hinges

Author: Beata Turoňová, Mateusz Sikora, Christoph Schürmann, Wim J. H. Hagen, Sonja Welsch, Florian E. C. Blanc, Sren von Bülow, Michael Gecht, Katrin Bagola, Cindy Hrner, Ger van Zandbergen, Jonathan Landry, Nayara Trevisan Doimo de Azevedo, Shyamal Mosalaganti, Andre Schwarz, Roberto Covino, Michael D. Mühlebach, Gerhard Hummer, Jacomine Krijnse Locker, Martin Beck

Issue&Volume: 2020/08/18

Abstract: Abstract The spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is required for cell entry and is the major focus for vaccine development. Here, we combine cryo electron tomography, subtomogram averaging and molecular dynamics simulations to structurally analyze S in situ. Compared to recombinant S, the viral S was more heavily glycosylated and occurred mostly in the closed pre-fusion conformation. We show that the stalk domain of S contains three hinges, giving the head unexpected orientational freedom. We propose that the hinges allow S to scan the host cell surface, shielded from antibodies by an extensive glycan coat. The structure of native S contributes to our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of safe vaccines.

DOI: 10.1126/science.abd5223

Source: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/17/science.abd5223