TY  - JOUR
A1  - Sikora, Mateusz
A1  - Bülow, Sören von
A1  - Blanc, Florian E. C.
A1  - Gecht, Michael
A1  - Covino, Roberto
A1  - Hummer, Gerhard
T1  - Computational epitope map of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
T2  - PLOS Computational Biology
N2  - Abstract
The primary immunological target of COVID-19 vaccines is the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. S is exposed on the viral surface and mediates viral entry into the host cell. To identify possible antibody binding sites, we performed multi-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of a 4.1 million atom system containing a patch of viral membrane with four full-length, fully glycosylated and palmitoylated S proteins. By mapping steric accessibility, structural rigidity, sequence conservation, and generic antibody binding signatures, we recover known epitopes on S and reveal promising epitope candidates for structure-based vaccine design. We find that the extensive and inherently flexible glycan coat shields a surface area larger than expected from static structures, highlighting the importance of structural dynamics. The protective glycan shield and the high flexibility of its hinges give the stalk overall low epitope scores. Our computational epitope-mapping procedure is general and should thus prove useful for other viral envelope proteins whose structures have been characterized.

Author summary
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a global health crisis. The spike protein exposed at its surface is key for infection and the primary antibody target. However, spike is covered by highly mobile glycan molecules that could impair antibody binding. To identify accessible epitopes, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of an atomistic model of glycosylated spike embedded in a membrane. By combining extensive simulations with bioinformatics analyses, we recovered known antibody binding sites and identified several epitope candidates as targets for further vaccine development.
Y1  - 2021
UR  - http://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/73280
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-732800
SN  - 1553-7358
VL  - 17
IS  - 4
SP  - 1
EP  - 16
PB  - Public Library of Science
CY  - San Francisco, Calif.
ER  -