Mechanism and evolution of human ACE2 binding by SARS-CoV-2 spike
Antoni G. Wrobel
Abstract
Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 mediates viral entry into host cells by facilitating virus attachment and membrane fusion. ACE2 is the main receptor of SARS-CoV-2 and its interaction with spike has shaped the virus' emergence from an animal reservoir and subsequent evolution in the human host. Many structural studies on the spike:ACE2 interaction have provided insights into mechanisms driving viral evolution during the on-going pandemic. This review describes the molecular basis of spike binding to ACE2, outlines mechanisms that have optimised this interaction during viral evolution, and suggests directions for future research.
Topics & Concepts
Spike ProteinSpike (software development)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Mechanism (biology)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)CoronavirusBiology2019-20 coronavirus outbreakVirologyComputational biologyGeneticsComputer scienceMedicinePhysicsDiseaseSoftware engineeringPathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Quantum mechanicsOutbreakSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesComputational Drug Discovery Methods