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Journal articles
Unexpected Receptor Functional Mimicry Elucidates Activation of Coronavirus Fusion
Abstract : Recent outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome, along with the threat of a future coronavirus-mediated pandemic, underscore the importance of finding ways to combat these viruses. The trimeric spike transmembrane glycoprotein S mediates entry into host cells and is the major target of neutralizing antibodies. To understand the humoral immune response elicited upon natural infections with coronaviruses, we structurally characterized the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV S glycoproteins in complex with neutralizing antibodies isolated from human survivors. Although the two antibodies studied blocked attachment to the host cell receptor, only the anti-SARS-CoV S antibody triggered fusogenic conformational changes via receptor functional mimicry. These results provide a structural framework for understanding coronavirus neutralization by human antibodies and shed light on activation of coronavirus membrane fusion, which takes place through a receptor-driven ratcheting mechanism.
https://hal-pasteur.archives-ouvertes.fr/pasteur-02546514
Contributor : Maria-Alejandra Tortorici <>
Submitted on : Saturday, April 18, 2020 - 3:37:26 AM
Last modification on : Friday, April 24, 2020 - 1:47:29 AM
Contributor : Maria-Alejandra Tortorici <>
Submitted on : Saturday, April 18, 2020 - 3:37:26 AM
Last modification on : Friday, April 24, 2020 - 1:47:29 AM
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