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Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

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Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
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Structural Protein Function01:56

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Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
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Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

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Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
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During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
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Conjugated Proteins02:50

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Simple proteins and protein complexes contain only amino acids. In contrast, many other proteins, called conjugated proteins, covalently bond with non-protein moieties.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Production of Pseudotyped Particles to Study Highly Pathogenic Coronaviruses in a Biosafety Level 2 Setting
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Structure, Function, and Evolution of Coronavirus Spike Proteins.

Fang Li1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455;

Annual Review of Virology
|September 1, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The coronavirus spike protein uses its S1 subunit to bind host cell receptors and its S2 subunit to fuse membranes. This review details spike protein structures, functions, and evolution for receptor recognition and membrane fusion.

Keywords:
coronavirus spike proteinmembrane fusionpostfusion conformationprefusion conformationreceptor bindingvirus evolutionvirus origin

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The coronavirus spike protein is crucial for viral entry into host cells.
  • It mediates attachment via the S1 subunit binding to host receptors and membrane fusion via the S2 subunit.
  • The spike protein undergoes conformational changes from prefusion to postfusion states to facilitate fusion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the structures and functions of coronavirus spike proteins.
  • To illustrate how S1 domains recognize diverse host receptors.
  • To explain the regulation of spike protein conformational transitions and discuss evolutionary aspects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of structural and functional studies on coronavirus spike proteins.
  • Comparative analysis of S1 domains across different coronaviruses.
  • Examination of evolutionary relationships with other viral and host cell functions.

Main Results:

  • The S1 subunit possesses two domains that recognize various host cell receptors, enabling viral attachment.
  • Spike proteins exist in distinct prefusion and postfusion conformations, with triggered transitions essential for membrane fusion.
  • Regulation mechanisms control the conformational changes necessary for viral entry.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding coronavirus spike protein structure-function relationships is key to comprehending viral pathogenesis.
  • The evolution of receptor recognition and membrane fusion highlights conserved and divergent strategies among viruses.
  • This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying coronavirus host cell entry.