Identification of Closed Linear Epitopes in S1-RBD and S2-HR1/2 of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Able to Induce Neutralizing Abs.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 has evolved as several variants. Immunization to boost the Ab response to Spike antigens is effective, but similar vaccines could not enhance Ab efficacy enough. Effective Ab responses against the human ACE2 (hACE2)-mediated infection of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed. We identified closed linear epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike molecule that induced neutralizing Abs (nAbs) against both S1-RBD, responsible for attachment to hACE2, and S2-HR1/2, in convalescents and vaccine recipients. They inhibited a pseudo-virus infection mediated by the hACE2 pathway. The epitope sequences included epitopes #7 (aa411-432), #11 (aa459-480) and #111 (aa1144-1161), in S1-RBD and S2-HR2. Epitope #111 was conserved in Wuhan and variant strains, whereas #7 and #11 were conserved in Wuh

SUBMITTER: Watanabe Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9966687 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature