There are many scientific reports on the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus S protein (and its RBD) with the human ACE2 receptor protein. However, there are no reliable data on how this interaction differs from the interaction of the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-1 with ACE2, in terms of binding strength and changes in reaction enthalpy and entropy. Our studies have revealed these differences and the impact of zinc ions on this interaction. Intriguingly, the binding affinity of both RBDs (of SARS-CoV-1 and of SARS-CoV-2) to the ACE2 receptor protein is almost identical; however, there are some differences in the entropic and enthalpic contributions to these interactions.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-1; SARS-CoV-2; binding interactions; human ACE2; isothermal titration alorimetry; receptor-binding domain.
© 2022 The Authors. FEBS Open Bio published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Federation of European Biochemical Societies.