S Protein Structure - SARS-CoV-2

Structure of the S Protein

(Wrapp McLellan 2020 Science pmid: 32075877) 3.5-angstrom-resolution - 2019-nCoV S trimer in the prefusion conformation. The predominant state of the trimer has one of the three receptor-binding domains (RBDs) rotated up in a receptor-accessible conformation.

-- structural evidence that the 2019-nCoV S protein binds angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with higher affinity than (SARS)-CoV S.

-- RBD-specific monoclonal antibodies do not have appreciable binding to 2019-nCoV S, - antibody cross-reactivity may be limited.