Substitution for aspartic acid (D) by glycine (G) at position 614 in the spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appears to facilitate rapid viral spread. The G614 strain and its recent variants are now the dominant circulating forms. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of a full-length G614 S trimer, which adopts three distinct prefusion conformations that differ primarily by the position of one receptor-binding domain. A loop disordered in the D614 S trimer wedges between domains within a protomer in the G614 spike. This added interaction appears to prevent premature dissociation of the G614 trimer-effectively increasing the number of functional spikes and enhancing infectivity-and to modulate structural rearrangements for membrane fusion. These findings extend our understanding of viral entry and suggest an improved immunogen for vaccine development.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8139424 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abf2303 | DOI Listing |
Signal Transduct Target Ther
January 2025
NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, National Institute of Pathogen Biology, and Center for Tuberculosis Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
The global spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. (SARS-CoV-2) and its variant strains, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and now Omicron, pose a significant challenge. With the constant evolution of the virus, Omicron and its subtypes BA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Allergy Clin Immunol
January 2025
Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002, CNRS and Montpellier University; Montpellier, France; Montpellier University; Montpellier, France; Immunology Department, University Hospital; Nîmes, France. Electronic address:
Background: We have recently shown that, during acute severe COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) induces a cascade of events resulting in T cell apoptosis. Indeed, by neutralizing the protease activity of its receptor, ACE2, S induces an increase in circulating Angiotensin II (AngII), resulting in monocytic release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and programmed T cell death.
Objective: Here, we tested whether SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, known to cause the circulation of the vaccine antigen, S-protein receptor binding domain (RBD), might trigger the same cascade.
Glycobiology
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom.
Abdala is a COVID-19 vaccine produced in Pichia pastoris and is based on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. Abdala is currently approved for use in multiple countries with clinical trials confirming its safety and efficacy in preventing severe illness and death. Although P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrob Biotechnol
January 2025
Department of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a fatal disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, several vaccines have been developed to combat the spread of this virus. Mucosal vaccines using food-grade bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Ther
January 2025
Center for Translational Medicine and Immune Diagnostics Laboratory, Medical Department I, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Hölkeskampring 40, 44625 Herne, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, and Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address:
Autoreactive antibodies (AAB) are currently being investigated as causative or aggravating factors during post-COVID. In this study we analyze the effect of immunoadsorption therapy on symptom improvement and the relationship with immunological parameters in post-COVID patients exhibiting symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) induced or aggravated by an SARS-CoV-2 infection. This observational study includes 12 post-COVID patients exhibiting a predominance of ME/CFS symptoms alongside increased concentrations of autonomic nervous system receptors (ANSR) autoantibodies and neurological impairments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!