Binding of human ACE2 and RBD of Omicron enhanced by unique interaction patterns among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing COVID-19, has continued to mutate and spread worldwide despite global vaccination efforts. In particular, the Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa in late November 2021, has become the dominant strain worldwide. Compared to the original strain identified in Wuhan, Omicron features 50 genetic mutations, with 15 mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein, which binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for viral entry. However, it is not completely understood how these mutations alter the interaction and binding strength between the Omicron RBD and ACE2. In this study, we used a combined steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulation and experimental mic

SUBMITTER: Kim S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9825653 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature