Spike protein

Function

The coronavirus spike protein (Spi, also called protein S) binds the virus to its host cell via the cell's receptor: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The trimeric 2019-nCoV Spi binds to ACE2 at least 10 times more tightly than SARS coronavirus ^[1]. See also

ACEII and SARS
SARS-CoV-2 protein S
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
and the animation at SARS-CoV-2 protein S priming by furin and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fusion transformation

Disease

Numerous viral diseases are causing world-shattering consequences and the current pandemic of CoVID-2019 is the recent one.

Relevance

The spike protein is a key target for potential therapies and diagnostics. Various antibodies are currently being tested as potential CoVID-2019 antiviral treatment^[2].

Structural highlights

The SARS-CoV Spi receptor binding domain complex with its cellular receptor - ACE2 - shows the to ACE2 "hot spot"^[3].

3D Structures of spike protein

Spike protein 3D structures

References

↑ Wrapp D, Wang N, Corbett KS, Goldsmith JA, Hsieh CL, Abiona O, Graham BS, McLellan JS. Cryo-EM structure of the 2019-nCoV spike in the prefusion conformation. Science. 2020 Feb 19. pii: science.abb2507. doi: 10.1126/science.abb2507. PMID:32075877 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abb2507
↑ Tian X, Li C, Huang A, Xia S, Lu S, Shi Z, Lu L, Jiang S, Yang Z, Wu Y, Ying T. Potent binding of 2019 novel coronavirus spike protein by a SARS coronavirus-specific human monoclonal antibody. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2020 Feb 17;9(1):382-385. doi:, 10.1080/22221751.2020.1729069. eCollection 2020. PMID:32065055 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729069
↑ Wu K, Li W, Peng G, Li F. Crystal structure of NL63 respiratory coronavirus receptor-binding domain complexed with its human receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Nov 24;106(47):19970-4. Epub 2009 Nov 9. PMID:19901337

Human coronavirus NL63 spike glycoprotein (magenta) complex with its ligand ACE2 (green) (PDB code 3kbh)

Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate

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Michal Harel, Alexander Berchansky, Joel L. Sussman, Eric Martz

[1] Wrapp D, Wang N, Corbett KS, Goldsmith JA, Hsieh CL, Abiona O, Graham BS, McLellan JS. Cryo-EM structure of the 2019-nCoV spike in the prefusion conformation. Science. 2020 Feb 19. pii: science.abb2507. doi: 10.1126/science.abb2507. PMID:32075877 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abb2507

[2] Tian X, Li C, Huang A, Xia S, Lu S, Shi Z, Lu L, Jiang S, Yang Z, Wu Y, Ying T. Potent binding of 2019 novel coronavirus spike protein by a SARS coronavirus-specific human monoclonal antibody. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2020 Feb 17;9(1):382-385. doi:, 10.1080/22221751.2020.1729069. eCollection 2020. PMID:32065055 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729069

[3] Wu K, Li W, Peng G, Li F. Crystal structure of NL63 respiratory coronavirus receptor-binding domain complexed with its human receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Nov 24;106(47):19970-4. Epub 2009 Nov 9. PMID:19901337

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