Detecting the helix structure helps prevent nCoV from spreading

The discovery of the 6-HB helical structure of the S protein is crucial for fusion into the cell membrane, helping to find a drug that prevents nCoV infection.

The Chinese team first analyzed the crystal structure in the synthetic membrane core region of nCoV's S protein. Comparing this structure with SARS virus, the scientists discovered some important amino acid variants in nCoV, creating stronger membrane synthesis than SARS virus, in other words, the ability to penetrate and merge into nCoV cells are stronger than SARS.

Thanks to this discovery, the team developed a lipopeptide drug that could effectively prevent the film fusion reaction caused by nCoV. The drug is currently under research and development by the team.

Like SARS, nCoV relies on the S protein to identify and colonize cells. The S protein is divided into two subunits S1 and S2, where the receptor binding domain (RBD) of S1 is responsible for identifying ACE2 on the surface of human cells and completing the viral cell link. Subsequently, subunit S2 is responsible for completing the process of fusion into the human cell membrane, conducting the invasion process.

The process of fusing the cell membrane helps the team develop a drug that prevents the transmission of nCoV. Photo: UB.

In subunit S2, there are two important amino acid sequences called HR1 and HR2, which are connected to form a spiral structure, called 6-HB. This structure has been identified by the team as the key to the integration of the nCoV cell membrane, thereby finding the reason for the high likelihood of nCoV infection.

The team began to explore differences between 6-HB structure of nCoV and SARS. Initially, they approached the ability of nCoV membrane synthesis. Cultured nCoV is used directly to carry out infection of cells. There are many syncytes that appear in cultured virus cells. The synophagus is a phenomenon in which infected cells merge with surrounding cells of the same type and form giant multinucleated cells. The phenomenon of multicellularity occurs after the virus envelope combines with the cell membrane, the synthetic protein on the surface of the virus envelope remains on the cell membrane. In this way, under the guidance of a synthetic protein, fusion occurs between cells, forming a syncytium.

There are many recent research results related to the process and way of linking RBD and ACE2, however, there is little information about the process of integration between nCoV and cell membranes and is being studied.

The study, published in the March 30 issue of Cell Research, was conducted by a team of medical science schools, Fudan University and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, in conjunction with the Institute of Physiology. , Chinese Academy of Sciences.