Coronavirus spike proteins work as two-part molecular machines
In short: A review of coronavirus research describes the spike protein as a molecular machine with two working parts. Its S1 subunit binds to a receptor on a host cell's surface, while its separate S2 subunit then fuses the viral and host membranes together, letting the virus enter the cell.
The spike protein switches between two shapes, a prefusion and a postfusion form, and something must trigger that switch before fusion can happen. This review draws together existing structural knowledge of these proteins and their evolution across coronaviruses and other viruses, rather than reporting new experiments, so its conclusions depend on the studies it summarizes.
Why it matters: The spike protein's two-part, shape-shifting design is central to how coronaviruses get into cells.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Li (2016). Structure, Function, and Evolution of Coronavirus Spike Proteins. Annual Review of Virology.
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/health-research-the-dual-action-mechanism-of-coronavirus-spike-proteins-enab.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Health · Latest · A–Z · All topics
