Exploring how coronavirus adapts to new situations...

July 27, 2018

Coronavirus spike protein mediates receptor binding and fusion of viral and host cell membranes. Results from this project provide a model for coronavirus adaptation to environmental changes based on the use of three extended loops for receptor binding, with such loop regions being inherently accommodating to mutational changes. Given their wide host range and zoonotic transmission to humans, coronavirus provides an important model for studying RNA viruses and emergence of new viral threats.

PDB ID 6ATK.