Human antibody targeting of coronavirus spike S2 subunit is associated with protection mediated by Fc effector functions.

ABSTRACT: Over the past two decades, betacoronaviruses (β-CoVs) have caused two epidemics and a pandemic and remain a high risk for future outbreaks through zoonotic transmissions, highlighting the need for broad biomedical countermeasures. Here, we describe a convalescent human monoclonal antibody (mAb 1871) that targets the S2 subunit of the coronavirus spike protein, with broad β-CoVs binding and sarbecovirus neutralization. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis revealed that mAb 1871 binds the upstream helix of the S2 subunit, interacting with partially conserved residues, providing a molecular basis for its cross-reactivity. Though less potent than receptor-binding domain-directed antibodies-approximately 500-fold lower neutralization potency than the emergency use authorized receptor-binding domai

SUBMITTER: Muthuraman K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12724371 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature