Structural insight into SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and modulation of syncytia

Structural insight into SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and modulation of syncytia

Fri, 04/06/2021

Publication

Publication by CIRI in the journal Cell on April 23, 2021.

Abstract

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is initiated by binding of the viral Spike protein to host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), followed by fusion of viral and host membranes. Although antibodies that block this interaction are in emergency use as early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapies, the precise determinants of neutralization potency remain unknown. We discovered a series of antibodies that potently block ACE2 binding but exhibit divergent neutralization efficacy against the live virus. Strikingly, these neutralizing antibodies can inhibit or enhance Spike-mediated membrane fusion and formation of syncytia, which are associated with chronic tissue damage in individuals with COVID-19. As revealed by cryoelectron microscopy, multiple structures of Spike-antibody complexes have distinct binding modes that not only block ACE2 binding but also alter the Spike protein conformational cycle triggered by ACE2 binding. We show that stabilization of different Spike conformations leads to modulation of Spike-mediated membrane fusion with profound implications for COVID-19 pathology and immunity.

Source: Structural insight into SARS-CoV-2 neutralizingantibodies and modulation of syncytia. Daniel Asarnow, Bei Wang, Hsin Lee, Yuanyu Hu, Ching-Wen Huang, Bryan Faust, Patricia Miang Lon Ng, Eve Zi Xian Ngoh, Markus Bohn, David Bulkley, Andre ́s Pizzorno, Beatrice Ary, Hwee Ching Tan, Chia Yin Lee, Rabiatul Adawiyah Minhat, Olivier Terrier, Mun Kuen Soh, Frannie Jiuyi Teo, Yvonne Yee Chin Yeap, Shirley Gek Kheng Seah, Conrad En Zuo Chan, Emily Connelly, Nicholas J. Young, Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Laurent Renia, Brendon John Hanson, Manuel Rosa-Calatrava, Aashish Manglik, Yifan Cheng, Charles S. Craik and Cheng-I Wang. Cell. April 23, 2021 .

Subject(s)