ACE2 glycans preferentially interact with SARS-CoV-2 over SARS-CoV

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Jun 15;57(48):5949-5952. doi: 10.1039/d1cc02305e.

Abstract

We report a distinct difference in the interactions of the glycans of the host-cell receptor, ACE2, with SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV S-protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs). Our analysis demonstrates that the ACE2 glycan at N322 enhances interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 RBD while the ACE2 glycan at N90 may offer protection against infections of both coronaviruses depending on its composition. The interactions of the ACE2 glycan at N322 with SARS-CoV RBD are blocked by the presence of the RBD glycan at N357 of the SARS-CoV RBD. The absence of this glycosylation site on SARS-CoV-2 RBD may enhance its binding with ACE2.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / chemistry
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • SARS-CoV-2 / chemistry*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / chemistry*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Polysaccharides
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike glycoprotein, SARS-CoV
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2