Dual-role epitope on SARS-CoV-2 spike enhances and neutralizes viral entry across different variants.

ABSTRACT: Grasping the roles of epitopes in viral glycoproteins is essential for unraveling the structure and function of these proteins. Up to now, all identified epitopes have been found to either neutralize, have no effect on, or enhance viral entry into cells. Here, we used nanobodies (single-domain antibodies) as probes to investigate a unique epitope on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, located outside the protein's receptor-binding domain. Nanobody binding to this epitope enhances the cell entry of prototypic SARS-CoV-2, while neutralizing the cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Moreover, nanobody binding to this epitope promotes both receptor binding activity and post-attachment activity of prototypic spike, explaining the enhanced viral entry. The opposite occurs with Omicron spike, expla

SUBMITTER: Ye G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11407660 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature