Mycroft-West, Courtney, Su, Dunhao, Li, Yong 
ORCID: 0000-0002-5594-4434, Guimond, Scott ORCID: 0000-0002-5903-418X, Rudd, Timothy ORCID: 0000-0003-4434-0333, Elli, Stefano ORCID: 0000-0003-0686-2480, Miller, Gavin ORCID: 0000-0001-6533-3306, Nunes, Quentin ORCID: 0000-0002-7513-8595, Procter, Patricia, Bisio, Antonella ORCID: 0000-0002-6686-5504 et al (show 7 more authors)
(2020)
SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Receptor Binding Domain undergoes Conformational Change upon Interaction with Low Molecular Weight Heparins
2020.04.29.068486-.
ISSN 2692-8205
Abstract
The dependence of the host on the interaction of hundreds of extracellular proteins with the cell surface glycosaminoglycan heparan sulphate (HS) for the regulation of homeostasis is exploited by many microbial pathogens as a means of adherence and invasion. The closely related polysaccharide heparin, the widely used anticoagulant drug, which is structurally similar to HS and is a common experimental proxy, can be expected to mimic the properties of HS. Heparin prevents infection by a range of viruses when added exogenously, including S-associated coronavirus strain HSR1 and inhibits cellular invasion by SARS-CoV-2. We have previously demonstrated that unfractionated heparin binds to the Spike (S1) protein receptor binding domain, induces a conformational change and have reported the structural features of heparin on which this interaction depends. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that enoxaparin, a low molecular weight clinical anticoagulant, also binds the S1 RBD protein and induces conformational change. Here we expand upon these studies, to a wide range of low molecular weight heparins and demonstrate that they induce a variety of conformational changes in the SARS-CoV-2 RBD. These findings may have further implications for the rapid development of a first-line therapeutic by repurposing low molecular weight heparins, as well as for next-generation, tailor-made, GAG-based antiviral agents, against SARS-CoV-2 and other members of the Coronaviridae .
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 3101 Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 31 Biological Sciences, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Coronaviruses, Infectious Diseases, Coronaviruses Therapeutics and Interventions, Biodefense, 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors, Infection |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Systems, Molec & Integrative Biology > Inst. Systems, Molec & Integrative Biology |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Aug 2022 10:30 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Jan 2026 18:01 |
| DOI: | 10.1101/2020.04.29.068486 |
| Open Access URL: | https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.29... |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3160425 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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