A glycan gate controls opening of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Nat Chem
; 13(10): 963-968, 2021 10.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34413500
SARS-CoV-2 infection is controlled by the opening of the spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD), which transitions from a glycan-shielded 'down' to an exposed 'up' state to bind the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and infect cells. While snapshots of the 'up' and 'down' states have been obtained by cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomagraphy, details of the RBD-opening transition evade experimental characterization. Here over 130 µs of weighted ensemble simulations of the fully glycosylated spike ectodomain allow us to characterize more than 300 continuous, kinetically unbiased RBD-opening pathways. Together with ManifoldEM analysis of cryo-electron microscopy data and biolayer interferometry experiments, we reveal a gating role for the N-glycan at position N343, which facilitates RBD opening. Residues D405, R408 and D427 also participate. The atomic-level characterization of the glycosylated spike activation mechanism provided herein represents a landmark study for ensemble pathway simulations and offers a foundation for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and infection.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Polisacáridos
/
Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Chem
Asunto de la revista:
QUIMICA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido