Deamidation drives molecular aging of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding motif.

ABSTRACT: The spike protein is the main protein component of the SARS-CoV-2 virion surface. The spike receptor-binding motif mediates recognition of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, a critical step in infection, and is the preferential target for spike-neutralizing antibodies. Posttranslational modifications of the spike receptor-binding motif have been shown to modulate viral infectivity and host immune response, but these modifications are still being explored. Here we studied asparagine deamidation of the spike protein, a spontaneous event that leads to the appearance of aspartic and isoaspartic residues, which affect both the protein backbone and its charge. We used computational prediction and biochemical experiments to identify five deamidation hotspots in the SARS-CoV-2 spi

SUBMITTER: Lorenzo R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8421091 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature