Sci Adv . The SARS-CoV-2 Spike variant D614G favors an open conformational state

[tetano]

Sci Adv


. 2021 Apr 16;7(16):eabf3671.
doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abf3671. Print 2021 Apr.
The SARS-CoV-2 Spike variant D614G favors an open conformational state


Rachael A Mansbach ¹ , Srirupa Chakraborty ^{1 2} , Kien Nguyen ¹ , David C Montefiori ³ , Bette Korber ¹ , S Gnanakaran ⁴



Affiliations

• PMID: 33863729
• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf3671

Free article

Abstract

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic underwent a rapid transition with the emergence of a dominant viral variant (from the "D-form" to the "G-form") that carried an amino acid substitution D614G in its "Spike" protein. The G-form is more infectious in vitro and is associated with increased viral loads in the upper airways. To gain insight into the molecular-level underpinnings of these characteristics, we used microsecond all-atom simulations. We show that changes in the protein energetics favor a higher population of infection-capable states in the G-form through release of asymmetry present in the D-form inter-protomer interactions. Thus, the increased infectivity of the G-form is likely due to a higher rate of profitable binding encounters with the host receptor. It is also predicted to be more neutralization sensitive owing to enhanced exposure of the receptor binding domain, a key target region for neutralizing antibodies. These results are critical for vaccine design.