IIT Mandi researchers unravels the molecular structure of functional protein region of COVID-19 virus

Using advanced computational algorithms and laboratory techniques, the researchers have deciphered the structural flexibilities of the C-terminal region

Researchers from IIT Mandi, using spectroscopy and simulation methods, unraveled the molecular structure of a functional protein region of the COVID-19 virus.  The team has established the structure of one section of an important spike protein responsible for the virus’s infectivity.

The observations have been recently published in the journal Virology. The research was led by Dr Rajanish Giri, Associate Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, and co-authored by his Ph.D. scholars, Prateek Kumar, Taniya Bhardwaj, and Dr Neha Garg, Assistant Professor at Banaras Hindu University.

The SARS Coronavirus 2, the cause of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is so-called because of the spikes on its surface that give it the appearance of a crown (or corona). The proteins that make up the spikes are responsible for the penetration of these viruses into the host cells of the infected lifeform.

Speaking about his recent work, Dr Giri said, “Our team has deciphered the shape of the endodomain of spike protein, in isolation, as a reductionist approach. We found that there is no order or structure, and this is an intrinsically disordered region. The endodomain is an important part of spike protein as it contains transporting signals that help in movement of protein inside host cells and thus play a crucial role in infection.”

Further, Dr Giri, mentioned, “Due to absence of specific order or structure, this is the part of Dark Proteome of the virus. It also suggests that endodomain can adopt a fully disordered or partially disordered structure under different conditions. For studying the SARS-CoV-2 spike endodomain, we have used advanced computational algorithms and laboratory techniques. We have also proved, what have only remained speculations so far, the structural flexibilities of the C-terminal region or endodomain.”

Given the importance of the spike protein in the virus’ infectivity, considerable research work is being carried out all over the world on characterising their molecular structure. It is now known that the spike protein comprises a section that is outside the main virus body (the extravirion) known as ectodomain; a section that crosses the viral membrane (transmembrane); and a section that is inside the viral structure (the intravirion), known as endodomain.

Most studies only focus on the extravirion, and there is much less information available on the transmembrane and intravirion parts of the spike protein. Dr Giri’s research team has used CD spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the shape or conformation of the spike glycoprotein’s intravirion region, also known as the C-terminal region or endodomain.

“Our findings provide direction to the scientific community for the exploration of drugs that can target this region of the spike protein, keeping in mind, its structural flexibility,” added Kumar. He further posits that the structural malleability of this region can help identify many new targets inside the host cell, which, in turn, could help in understanding the basic science of COVID-19 and other coronavirus infections.

The researchers have validated the simulation results with experimental studies and have shown that the structure of the intravirion region of the spike protein i.e. endodomain is an intrinsically disordered region in isolation. Also, solvent dependent studies suggest the conformational or shape-changing capabilities of this endodomain.