A team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has captured the first-ever 3D atomistic images of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the structure the virus uses to fuse with and infect human cells. The images, published in the journal Science, provide unprecedented detail of the protein's structure and could help scientists develop new treatments for COVID-19.
The spike protein is a complex structure made up of thousands of atoms. It is constantly changing shape, making it difficult to capture its exact structure. However, the UCSF team was able to use a technique called cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to freeze the protein in place and then use a powerful microscope to image it.
The resulting images are the most detailed ever obtained of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. They show that the protein is made up of two subunits, S1 and S2. S1 binds to the ACE2 receptor on human cells, while S2 fuses the virus membrane with the cell membrane, allowing the virus to enter the cell.
The images also reveal that the spike protein is covered in sugar molecules, which help the virus evade the human immune system. These sugar molecules act like a shield, preventing antibodies from binding to the protein and neutralizing the virus.
The new images could help scientists develop new treatments for COVID-19. For example, they could design drugs that target the S1 or S2 subunits of the spike protein, preventing it from binding to the ACE2 receptor or fusing with the cell membrane. Such drugs could potentially block the virus from infecting human cells and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"These images provide a significant leap in our understanding of how the SARS-CoV-2 virus infects human cells," said study lead author Dr. Jason McLellan. "This knowledge could be crucial in the development of new treatments and vaccines for COVID-19."
The UCSF team is continuing to study the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in order to learn more about how it works. They hope that their research will help lead to the development of new treatments for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses.
