Insights into the structural peculiarities of the N-terminal and receptor binding domains of the spike protein from the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

ABSTRACT: Since the new variant of SARS-CoV-2, Omicron (BA.1) has raised serious concerns, it is important to investigate the effects of mutations in the NTD and RBD domains of the spike protein for the development of COVID-19 vaccines. In this study, computational analysis of the Wuhan and Omicron NTDs and RBDs in their unbound and bound states to mAb 4A8 and ACE2 were performed. In addition, the interaction of NTD with antibody and RBD with ACE2 were evaluated in the presence of long glycans. The results show that long glycans at the surface of NTDs can reduce the accessibility of protein epitopes, thereby reducing binding efficiency and neutralizing potency of specific antibodies. Also, our findings indicate that the existence of the long glycans result in increased stability and enhanced affinit

SUBMITTER: Bayani F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9220253 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature