Study of Specific Receptor Binding Mode Suggests a Possible Enzymatic Disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2

Langmuir. 2021 Feb 9;37(5):1707-1713. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02911. Epub 2021 Jan 29.

Abstract

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has spread globally. SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells by utilizing the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of an envelope homotrimeric spike (S) glycoprotein to interact with the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). We thoroughly studied the differences between the two RBDs of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 when they bind with ACE2 through molecular dynamics simulations. The peculiarities of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD are obvious in several aspects such as fluctuation of the binding interface, distribution of binding free energy on residues of the receptor-binding motifs, and the dissociation process. Based on these peculiarities of SARS-CoV-2 revealed by simulations, we proposed a strategy of destroying the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 by employing enzymatic digestion. This unique strategy is promising for developing a skin-friendly, nontoxic, and convenient disinfectant to protect people from infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / chemistry
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2