1. Binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to glycans.
- Author
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Hao, Wei, Ma, Bo, Li, Ziheng, Wang, Xiaoyu, Gao, Xiaopan, Li, Yaohao, Qin, Bo, Shang, Shiying, Cui, Sheng, and Tan, Zhongping
- Subjects
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SARS-CoV-2 , *GLYCANS , *SARS disease , *GLYCOLIPIDS , *HEPARAN sulfate , *SIALIC acids , *PROTEINS , *COVID-19 - Abstract
This study systematically investigated the binding of the subunits and spike (S) proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV to heparan sulfate (HS) and sialic acid-containing glycans. Our results revealed that all the tested protein molecules can bind to HS in a sulfation-dependent manner and no binding with sialic acid residues was detected. Overall, this work suggests that HS binding may be a general mechanism for the attachment of these coronaviruses to host cells, and supports the potential importance of HS in infection and in the development of antiviral agents against these viruses. [Display omitted] The pandemic of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a high number of deaths in the world. To combat it, it is necessary to develop a better understanding of how the virus infects host cells. Infection normally starts with the attachment of the virus to cell-surface glycans like heparan sulfate (HS) and sialic acid-containing glycolipids/glycoproteins. In this study, we examined and compared the binding of the subunits and spike (S) proteins of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory disease (MERS)-CoV to these glycans. Our results revealed that the S proteins and subunits can bind to HS in a sulfation-dependent manner and no binding with sialic acid residues was detected. Overall, this work suggests that HS binding may be a general mechanism for the attachment of these coronaviruses to host cells, and supports the potential importance of HS in infection and in the development of antiviral agents against these viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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