The bright and dark sides of protein conformational switches and the unifying forces of infections

Commun Biol. 2020 Jul 15;3(1):382. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-1115-x.

Abstract

It is now established that a protein can switch between multiple conformations to enable altered functions. Several pathogens including SARS COV2 utilize context-dependent conformational switches of particular proteins to invade host membrane to establish infections. In this perspective, we first discuss the understanding of the conformational switch of a protein towards the productive infections as a dark side of nature. Next, the unexplored binary combination of the sequences of SARS COV2 spike protein and the similarity with diverse pathogen derived proteins have been discussed to obtain novel molecular insights into the process of infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / virology*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / virology
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Infections
  • Protein Conformation
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Viral Proteins