Material Detail

This tutorial explains the structure of the spike protein, accompanied by interactive animations of structures determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The furin cleavage site and receptor binding sites are marked. Animations ready for Powerpoint slides are provided. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. In the electron microscope, it looks like a crown because it has protein "spikes" sticking out. The virus enters and infects cells after its spike protein binds to the ACE2 receptor on cells in the lung or elsewhere. The first step in this binding is "priming", when a protein-cutting enzyme such as furin clips the spike protein. This causes it to stick out its receptor-binding domain, making binding to ACE2 more efficient. Relevant research journal publications are cited. 

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