Insights from computational analysis: how does the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant hijack ACE2 more effectively?

• DOI: 10.1039/d2cp00843b
• Publication Date: 2022-03-21T11:21:33Z
• Authors: Danyang Xiong; Xiaoyu Zhao; Song Luo; Lili Duan
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; SARS-CoV-2; Mutation; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; COVID-19; Humans; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Protein Binding; 3. Good health

The Delta variant could enhance the electrostatic interaction with ACE2 by introducing two positively charged residues. And under the dominance of T478K mutation, RBM’s loops have a tighter conformation to enhance the grasp effect on the ACE2.