Download MendeleyDevelopment of an ultrahigh affinity, trimeric ACE2 biologic as a universal SARS-CoV-2 antagonist.
Gonzales, J., Young, T., Choi, H., Park, M., Jewel, Y., Fan, C., Purohit, R., Bjorkman, P.J., Williams, J.C.(2025) Commun Biol 8: 1428-1428
- PubMed: 41053501
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08819-w
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9BNB, 9BNC, 9BND, 9BNE, 9BNF, 9BNG - PubMed Abstract:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizes membrane-bound, angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) for internalization and infection. We describe the development of a biologic that takes advantage of the proximity of the N-terminus of bound ACE2 to the three-fold symmetry axis of the spike protein to create an ultrapotent, trivalent ACE2 entry antagonist. Distinct disulfide bonds were added to enhance serum stability and a single point mutation was introduced to eliminate enzymatic activity. Through surface plasmon resonance, pseudovirus neutralization assays, and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, we show this antagonist binds to and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 variants. We further show the antagonist binds to and inhibits a 2003 SARS-CoV-1 strain. Collectively, structural insight has allowed us to design a universal trivalent antagonist against all variants of SARS-CoV-2 tested, suggesting it will be active against the emergence of future mutants.
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
Organizational Affiliation:
