Local topology and bifurcation hot-spots in proteins with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as an example

Novel topological methods are introduced to protein research. The aim is to identify hot-spot sites where a bifurcation can alter the local topology of the protein backbone. Since the shape of a protein is intimately related to its biological function, a substitution that causes a bifurcation should have an enhanced capacity to change the protein's function. The methodology applies to any protein but it is developed with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as a timely example. First, topological criteria are introduced to identify and classify potential bifurcation hot-spot sites along the protein backbone. Then, the expected outcome of asubstitution, if it occurs, is estimated for a general class of hot-spots, using a comparative analysis of the surrounding backbone segments. The analysis combines the statistics of structurally commensurate amino acid fragments in the Protein Data Bank with general stereochemical considerations. It is observed that the notorious D614G substitution of the spike protein is a good example of a bifurcation hot-spot. A number of topologically similar examples are then analyzed in detail, some of them are even better candidates for a bifurcation hot-spot than D614G. The local topology of the more recently observed N501Y substitution is also inspected, and it is found that this site is proximal to a different kind of local topology changing bifurcation.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:16

Enthalten in:

PloS one - 16(2021), 9 vom: 01., Seite e0257886

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Peng, Xubiao [VerfasserIn]
Niemi, Antti J [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
Spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 12.10.2021

Date Revised 12.10.2021

published: Electronic-eCollection

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1371/journal.pone.0257886

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM331333775