Charge Matters: Mutations in Omicron Variant Favor Binding to Cells

Abstract: Evidence is strengthening to suggest that the novel SARS‐CoV‐2 mutant Omicron, with its more than 60 mutations, will spread and dominate worldwide. Although the mutations in the spike protein are known, the molecular basis for why the additional mutations in the spike protein that have not previously occurred account for Omicron's higher infection potential, is not understood. We propose, based on chemical rational and molecular dynamics simulations, that the elevated occurrence of positively charged amino acids in certain domains of the spike protein (Delta: +4; Omicron: +5 vs. wild type) increases binding to cellular polyanionic receptors, such as heparan sulfate due to multivalent charge‐charge interactions. This observation is a starting point for targeted drug development.

Location
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
Extent
Online-Ressource
Language
Englisch

Bibliographic citation
Charge Matters: Mutations in Omicron Variant Favor Binding to Cells ; day:02 ; month:02 ; year:2022 ; extent:1
ChemBioChem ; (02.02.2022) (gesamt 1)

Creator
Nie, Chuanxiong
Sahoo, Anil Kumar
Netz, Roland R.
Herrmann, Andreas
Ballauff, Matthias
Haag, Rainer

DOI
10.1002/cbic.202100681
URN
urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022020214195310272675
Rights
Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
Last update
15.08.2025, 7:31 AM CEST

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