Anannya Roy, Amity University Kolkata
3-Dimensional modeling of Protein structure can provide us with lots of insights on its functions and interactions. Researchers from Stanford University, California utilized this technique to study the receptor-binding domain of SARS-coV-2. This discovery could help in drug development and the prediction of future outbreaks.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has changed the course of history and will be remembered for centuries to come. Just like the other previous coronaviruses, this too had been transported to humans from wild animals, possibly bats, and pangolins.
An interesting pattern has been noticed in the infection. It is observed that only certain groups of animals like cats, cattle, and tigers are affected while pigs and chickens are completely immune. All such differences of COVID infection are embedded deep into the crux of cell biology. There is the presence of a receptor protein called the ACE-2 receptor on the surface of all animal cells. It serves as an entry point for the virus. When a host is infected, the spikes on the SARS-CoV-2 come and bind themselves to these transmembrane proteins and cause the infection.
Using computers, Scientists stimulated their 3d structure and investigated the interactions. It was found that that they behave like a lock and key (ACE2 proteins as the locks found on the surface of animal cells and the SARS-CoV-2 spikes as the keys that fit into it).
Those animals whose locks fit in better with the viral key are more susceptible compared to those who do not. Humans, cats, and cattle fall under this category. These organisms have certain features in their ACE2 proteins which are absent in those who are not susceptible. This research paper is very valuable because the findings of the 3-dimensional structures of ACE2 proteins and the SARS-CoV-2 spikes can help us in the development of novel antiviral strategies.
Also read: Autophagy, a way to combat viral infections
Citation: https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008449
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