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COVID-19: insights into virus-receptor interactions

Azadeh Sepahvandi1, Maryam Ghaffari2, Amir Hossein Bahmanpour2

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, 301 Main St, Columbia, SC 29208 USA.

Molecular Biomedicine
|November 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Investigating the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) S-protein interactions with host ACE2 receptors reveals key factors influencing viral transmissibility. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective COVID-19 treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility.
  • Limited knowledge exists regarding SARS-CoV-2's higher transmissibility compared to other coronaviruses.
  • Protein-protein interactions and their thermodynamic/kinetic properties are vital for viral function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the thermodynamic potentials and kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 S-protein interaction with host ACE2 receptors.
  • To identify crucial factors influencing these interactions, such as conformational changes and hydrophobicity.
  • To provide insights for designing pharmaceutical agents and alternative treatments for COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies on thermodynamic and kinetic properties of biological interactions.
  • Analysis of factors influencing thermodynamic potentials in S-protein adsorption.
  • Focus on the kinetics of S-protein interaction with ACE2 receptors.

Main Results:

  • Identified conformational changes and hydrophobicity as key factors in SARS-CoV-2 S-protein adsorption.
  • Detailed the thermodynamic potentials and kinetics governing the S-protein/ACE2 interaction.
  • Highlighted the significance of these properties in SARS-CoV-2's high transmissibility.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the thermodynamics and kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 S-protein and ACE2 interactions is fundamental.
  • This knowledge can guide the development of novel antiviral strategies and treatments.
  • Further research into these molecular interactions is critical for combating COVID-19.
Keywords:
ACE2COVID-19Conformational changesCoronavirusGlycosylationHydrophobicitySARS-CoV-2ThermodynamicsVirus-cell interactions

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