Structural analysis of full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from an advanced vaccine candidate

• DOI: 10.1126/science.abe1502
• Publication Date: 2020-10-20T19:10:18Z
• Authors: Sandhya Bangaru; Gabriel Ozorowski; Hannah L. Turner; Aleksandar Antana...; Deli Huang; Xiaoning Wang; Jonathan L. Torres; Jolene K. Diedrich; Jing-Hui Tian; Alyse D. Portnoff; Nita Patel; Michael J. Massare; John R. Yates; David Nemazee; James C. Paulson; Greg Glenn; Gale Smith; Andrew B. Ward
• Keywords: spike protein; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Coronavirus

Vaccine efforts to combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for current disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, are focused on SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, primary target neutralizing antibodies. We performed cryo-election microscopy and site-specific glycan analysis of one leading subunit vaccine candidates from Novavax, based a full-length protein formulated in polysorbate 80 detergent. Our studies reveal stable prefusion conformation immunogen with slight differences S1 compared published ectodomain structures. also observed interactions between trimers, allowing formation higher-order complexes. This study confirms structural integrity provides basis interpreting immune responses this multivalent nanoparticle immunogen.