The emergence of rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 variants threatens to prolong the COVID-19 pandemic. We have combined structural, antigenic, and computational analyses to study the spike proteins of variants of concern (VOC) that have originated in the UK (B.1.1.7), Brazil (B.1.1.28/P.1), South Africa (B.1.351), California (B.1.427/B.1.429), New York (B.1.526), India (B.1.617) and Denmark (mink-associated). Our results parse the effects of individual mutations in the VOCs, reveal spike allosteric networks by which they modulate spike conformation, and elucidate mechanistic differences that drive either inter-species transmission or escape from antibody neutralization. We describe the structural basis for transmission and antigenic properties of the VOCs, and identify spike regions that remain unaffected by the emerging mutations suggesting their utility for the development of broad CoV therapeutics and vaccines.

Structural and antigenic impact of natural mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 spike

ACS Fall 2021

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