ジャーナル: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A / 年: 2021 タイトル: Nanometer-resolution in situ structure of the SARS-CoV-2 postfusion spike protein. 著者: Linhua Tai / Guoliang Zhu / Minnan Yang / Lei Cao / Xiaorui Xing / Guoliang Yin / Chun Chan / Chengfeng Qin / Zihe Rao / Xiangxi Wang / Fei Sun / Yun Zhu / 要旨: The spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mediates membrane fusion to allow entry of the viral genome into host cells. To understand its detailed entry ...The spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mediates membrane fusion to allow entry of the viral genome into host cells. To understand its detailed entry mechanism and develop a specific entry inhibitor, in situ structural information on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in different states is urgent. Here, by using cryo-electron tomography, we observed both prefusion and postfusion spikes in β-propiolactone-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virions and solved the in situ structure of the postfusion spike at nanometer resolution. Compared to previous reports, the six-helix bundle fusion core, the glycosylation sites, and the location of the transmembrane domain were clearly resolved. We observed oligomerization patterns of the spikes on the viral membrane, likely suggesting a mechanism of fusion pore formation.