DOI: 10.1126/science.abd4251 ISSN:
Distinct conformational states of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Yongfei Cai, Jun Zhang, Tianshu Xiao, Hanqin Peng, Sarah M. Sterling, Richard M. Walsh, Shaun Rawson, Sophia Rits-Volloch, Bing Chen- Multidisciplinary
A dynamic viral spike
Efforts to protect human cells against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have focused on the trimeric spike (S) protein. Several structures have shown a stabilized ectodomain of the spike in its prefusion conformation. Cai et al. now provide insight into the structural changes in the S protein that result in the fusion of the viral and host cell membranes. They purified full-length S protein and determined cryo–electron microscopy structures of both the prefusion and postfusion conformations. These structures add to our understanding of S protein function and could inform vaccine design.
Science
, this issue p.