Exploring the effects of N234 and N343 linked glycans to SARS CoV 2 spike protein pocket accessibility using Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulations.

The N234 and N343-linked glycans of the SARS-CoV 2 spike protein are known to stabilize the up-conformation of its receptor-binding domains (RBDs), enabling human angiotensin enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor binding. However, the effect of spike-hACE2 binding on these important glycans remains poorly understood, and these changes could have implications in the development of drugs that inhibit viral entry. In this study, Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) simulations of the hACE2-free and hACE2-bound spike protein are performed.