Function

The viral spike protein (Spi) 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 Spi.

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[1].

Structural highlights

Human SARS coronavirus trimer (grey, green, pink) complex with its ligand ACE2 (yellow) (PDB code 6acg)

Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate

3D Structures of spike protein3D Structures of spike protein

Updated on 08-April-2020

ReferencesReferences

  1. 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

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