scholarly journals Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the N501Y SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in complex with ACE2 and 2 potent neutralizing antibodies

PLoS Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. e3001237
Author(s):  
Xing Zhu ◽  
Dhiraj Mannar ◽  
Shanti S. Srivastava ◽  
Alison M. Berezuk ◽  
Jean-Philippe Demers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Antibody Fragments ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Structural Explanation ◽  
Binding Interface ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy

The recently reported “UK variant” (B.1.1.7) of SARS-CoV-2 is thought to be more infectious than previously circulating strains as a result of several changes, including the N501Y mutation. We present a 2.9-Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the complex between the ACE2 receptor and N501Y spike protein ectodomains that shows Y501 inserted into a cavity at the binding interface near Y41 of ACE2. This additional interaction provides a structural explanation for the increased ACE2 affinity of the N501Y mutant, and likely contributes to its increased infectivity. However, this mutation does not result in large structural changes, enabling important neutralization epitopes to be retained in the spike receptor binding domain. We confirmed this through biophysical assays and by determining cryo-EM structures of spike protein ectodomains bound to 2 representative potent neutralizing antibody fragments.

scholarly journals Cryo-EM Structures of the N501Y SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in Complex with ACE2 and Two Potent Neutralizing Antibodies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Zhu ◽  
Dhiraj Mannar ◽  
Shanti S. Srivastava ◽  
Alison M. Berezuk ◽  
Jean-Philippe Demers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Antibody Fragments ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Binding Interface ◽  
Short Summary

AbstractThe recently reported “UK variant” of SARS-CoV-2 is thought to be more infectious than previously circulating strains as a result of several changes, including the N501Y mutation. We present a 2.9-Å resolution cryo-EM structure of the complex between the ACE2 receptor and N501Y spike protein ectodomains that shows Y501 inserted into a cavity at the binding interface near Y41 of ACE2. The additional interactions result in increased affinity of ACE2 for the N501Y mutant, accounting for its increased infectivity. However, this mutation does not result in large structural changes, enabling important neutralization epitopes to be retained in the spike receptor binding domain. We confirmed this through biophysical assays and by determining cryo-EM structures of spike protein ectodomains bound to two representative potent neutralizing antibody fragments.Short summaryThe N501Y mutation found in the coronavirus UK variant increases infectivity but some neutralizing antibodies can still bind.

scholarly journals Structures of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 neutralizing antibodies provide insights into cocktail design against concerning variants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Du ◽  
Pulan Liu ◽  
Zhiying Zhang ◽  
Tianhe Xiao ◽  
Ayijiang Yasimayi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Humoral Antibody ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Antibody Cocktail

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 variants could seriously dampen the global effort to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, we investigated the humoral antibody responses of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent patients and vaccinees towards circulating variants, and identified a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that could efficiently neutralize the B.1.351 (Beta) variant. Here we investigate how these mAbs target the B.1.351 spike protein using cryo-electron microscopy. In particular, we show that two superpotent mAbs, BD-812 and BD-836, have non-overlapping epitopes on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike. Both block the interaction between RBD and the ACE2 receptor; and importantly, both remain fully efficacious towards the B.1.617.1 (Kappa) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) variants. The BD-812/BD-836 pair could thus serve as an ideal antibody cocktail against the SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

scholarly journals Structural basis for antibody resistance to SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Cerutti ◽  
Yicheng Guo ◽  
Liu Lihong ◽  
Zhening Zhang ◽  
Liyuan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Antibody Recognition ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Antibody Resistance

The recently reported B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 includes 34 mutations in the spike protein relative to the Wuhan strain that initiated the COVID-19 pandemic, including 15 mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD). Functional studies have shown omicron to substantially escape the activity of many SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies. Here we report a 3.1 Å resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the Omicron spike protein ectodomain. The structure depicts a spike that is exclusively in the 1-RBD-up conformation with increased mobility and inter-protomer asymmetry. Many mutations cause steric clashes and/or altered interactions at antibody binding surfaces, whereas others mediate changes of the spike structure in local regions to interfere with antibody recognition. Overall, the structure of the omicron spike reveals how mutations alter its conformation and explains its extraordinary ability to evade neutralizing antibodies.

scholarly journals Parvo Viruses Complexed with Neutralizing Antibody Fragments Studied by Cryo Electron Microscopy and Three-Dimensional Image Reconstruction

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (S02) ◽  
Author(s):  
V D Bowman ◽  
S Hafenstein ◽  
J Nelson ◽  
P R Chipman ◽  
A J Battisti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Image Reconstruction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Antibody Fragments ◽  
Dimensional Image ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy

Mutation-induced Changes in the Receptor-binding Interface of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant B.1.617.2 and Implications for Immune Evasion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabin Baral ◽  
Nisha Bhattarai ◽  
Md Lokman Hossen ◽  
Vitalii Stebliankin ◽  
Bernard Gerstman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Sharp Rise ◽  
Stable Conformation ◽  
Binding Interface ◽  
Induced Changes

While the vaccination efforts against SARS-CoV-2 infections are ongoing worldwide, new genetic variants of the virus are emerging and spreading. Following the initial surges of the Alpha (B.1.1.7) and the Beta (B.1.351) variants, a more infectious Delta variant (B.1.617.2) is now surging, further deepening the health crises caused by the pandemic. The sharp rise in cases attributed to the Delta variant has made it especially disturbing and is a variant of concern. Fortunately, current vaccines offer protection against known variants of concern, including the Delta variant. However, the Delta variant has exhibited some ability to dodge the immune system as it is found that neutralizing antibodies from prior infections or vaccines are less receptive to binding with the Delta spike protein. Here, we investigated the structural changes caused by the mutations in the Delta variant's receptor-binding interface and explored the effects on binding with the ACE2 receptor as well as with neutralizing antibodies. We find that the receptor-binding beta-loop-beta motif adopts an altered but stable conformation causing separation in some of the antibody binding epitopes. Our study shows reduced binding of neutralizing antibodies and provides a possible mechanism for the immune evasion exhibited by the Delta variant.

scholarly journals Structure-guided multivalent nanobodies block SARS-CoV-2 infection and suppress mutational escape

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 371 (6530) ◽  
pp. eabe6230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul-Albert Koenig ◽  
Hrishikesh Das ◽  
Hejun Liu ◽  
Beate M. Kümmerer ◽  
Florian N. Gohr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Escape Mutants

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread, with devastating consequences. For passive immunization efforts, nanobodies have size and cost advantages over conventional antibodies. In this study, we generated four neutralizing nanobodies that target the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We used x-ray crystallography and cryo–electron microscopy to define two distinct binding epitopes. On the basis of these structures, we engineered multivalent nanobodies with more than 100 times the neutralizing activity of monovalent nanobodies. Biparatopic nanobody fusions suppressed the emergence of escape mutants. Several nanobody constructs neutralized through receptor binding competition, whereas other monovalent and biparatopic nanobodies triggered aberrant activation of the spike fusion machinery. These premature conformational changes in the spike protein forestalled productive fusion and rendered the virions noninfectious.

scholarly journals Dual nature of human ACE2 glycosylation in binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Reza Mehdipour ◽  
Gerhard Hummer
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Dual Nature ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Binding Interface ◽  
Glycosylation Sites ◽  
Cryptic Epitope

AbstractBinding of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor triggers translocation of the virus into cells. Both the ACE2 receptor and the spike protein are heavily glycosylated, including at sites near their binding interface. We built fully glycosylated models of the ACE2 receptor bound to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we found that the glycosylation of the human ACE2 receptor contributes substantially to the binding of the virus. Interestingly, the glycans at two glycosylation sites, N90 and N322, have opposite effects on spike protein binding. The glycan at the N90 site partly covers the binding interface of the spike RBD. Therefore, this glycan can interfere with the binding of the spike protein and protect against docking of the virus to the cell. By contrast, the glycan at the N322 site interacts tightly with the RBD of the ACE2-bound spike protein and strengthens the complex. Remarkably, the N322 glycan binds into a conserved region of the spike protein identified previously as a cryptic epitope for a neutralizing antibody. By mapping the glycan binding sites, our MD simulations aid in the targeted development of neutralizing antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors.

scholarly journals Predicted pH-dependent stability of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer from interfacial acidic groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa R Lobo ◽  
Jim Warwicker
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Ph Dependence ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Ph Effects ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Acidic Ph ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ph Dependent

Transition between receptor binding domain (RBD) up and down forms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer is coupled to receptor binding and is one route by which variants can alter viral properties. It is becoming apparent that key roles in the transition are played by pH and a more compact closed form, termed locked. Calculations of pH-dependence are made for a large set of spike trimers, including locked form trimer structures that have recently become available. Several acidic sidechains become sufficiently buried in the locked form to give a predicted pH-dependence in the mild acidic range, with stabilisation of the locked form as pH reduces from 7.5 to 5, consistent with emerging characterisation by cryo-electron microscopy. The calculated pH effects in pre-fusion spike trimers are modulated mainly by aspartic acid residues, rather than the more familiar histidine role at mild acidic pH. These acidic sidechains are generally surface located and weakly interacting when not in a locked conformation. In this model, their replacement (perhaps with asparagine) would remove the pH-dependent destabilisation of locked spike trimer conformations, and increase their recovery at neutral pH. This would provide an alternative or supplement to the insertion of disulphide linkages for stabilising spike protein trimers, with potential relevance for vaccine design.

scholarly journals Dual nature of human ACE2 glycosylation in binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (19) ◽  
pp. e2100425118
Author(s):  
Ahmad Reza Mehdipour ◽  
Gerhard Hummer
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Dual Nature ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Binding Interface ◽  
Glycosylation Sites ◽  
Cryptic Epitope

Binding of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor triggers translocation of the virus into cells. Both the ACE2 receptor and the spike protein are heavily glycosylated, including at sites near their binding interface. We built fully glycosylated models of the ACE2 receptor bound to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we found that the glycosylation of the human ACE2 receptor contributes substantially to the binding of the virus. Interestingly, the glycans at two glycosylation sites, N90 and N322, have opposite effects on spike protein binding. The glycan at the N90 site partly covers the binding interface of the spike RBD. Therefore, this glycan can interfere with the binding of the spike protein and protect against docking of the virus to the cell. By contrast, the glycan at the N322 site interacts tightly with the RBD of the ACE2-bound spike protein and strengthens the complex. Remarkably, the N322 glycan binds to a conserved region of the spike protein identified previously as a cryptic epitope for a neutralizing antibody. By mapping the glycan binding sites, our MD simulations aid in the targeted development of neutralizing antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors.

scholarly journals Predictions of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant (B.1.1.529) Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain Structure and Neutralizing Antibody Interactions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colby T. Ford ◽  
Denis Jacob Machado ◽  
Daniel A. Janies
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Antibody Interactions

The genome of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was released on November 22, 2021, which has caused a flurry of media attention due the large number of mutations it contains. These raw data have spurred questions around vaccine efficacy. Given that neither the structural information nor the experimentally-derived antibody interaction of this variant are available, we have turned to predictive computational methods to model the mutated structure of the spike protein’s receptor binding domain and posit potential changes to vaccine efficacy. In this study, we predict some structural changes in the receptor-binding domain that may reduce antibody interaction, but no drastic changes that would completely evade existing neutralizing antibodies (and therefore current vaccines).

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