Richard Feynman famously stated, “Everything that living things do can be understood in terms of the jigglings and wigglings of atoms.” This week, Nature Nanotechnology features a study that sheds new light on the evolution of the coronavirus and its variants of concern by analyzing the behavior of atoms in the proteins at the interface between the virus and humans.
The study introduces significant insights into the mechanical stability of the coronavirus, a key factor in its evolution into a global pandemic. The research team employed advanced computational simulations and magnetic tweezers technology to explore the biomechanical properties of biochemical bonds in the virus. Their findings reveal critical distinctions in the mechanical stability of various virus strains, highlighting how these differences contribute to the virus’s aggressiveness and spread.
As the World Health Organization reports nearly 7 million deaths worldwide from COVID-19, with more than 1 million in the United States alone, understanding these mechanics becomes crucial for developing effective interventions and treatments. The group emphasizes that comprehending the molecular intricacies of this pandemic is key to shaping our response to future viral outbreaks.
Delving deeper into the study, the Auburn University team, led by Prof. Rafael C. Bernardi, Assistant Professor of Biophysics, along with Dr. Marcelo Melo and Dr. Priscila Gomes, played a pivotal role in the research by leveraging powerful computational analysis. Utilizing NVIDIA HGX-A100 nodes for GPU computing, their work was essential in unraveling complex aspects of the virus’s behavior.
Prof. Bernardi, an NSF Career Award recipient, collaborated closely with Prof. Gaub from LMU, Germany, and Prof. Lipfert from Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Their collective expertise spanned various fields, culminating in a comprehensive understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virulence factor. Their research demonstrates that the equilibrium binding affinity and mechanical stability of the virus–human interface are not always correlated, a finding crucial for comprehending the dynamics of viral spread and evolution.
Additionally, the team’s use of magnetic tweezers to study the force-stability and bond kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2:ACE2 interface in various virus strains provides new perspectives on predicting mutations and adjusting therapeutic strategies. The methodology is unique because it measures how strongly the virus binds to the ACE2 receptor, a key entry point into human cells, under conditions that mimic the human respiratory tract.
The group found that while all the major COVID-19 variants (like alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and omicron) bind more strongly to human cells than the original virus, the alpha variant is particularly stable in its binding. This might explain why it spread so quickly in populations without prior immunity to COVID-19. The results also suggest that other variants, like beta and gamma, evolved in a way that helps them evade some immune responses, which might give them an advantage in areas where people have some immunity, either from previous infections or vaccinations.
Interestingly, the delta and omicron variants, which became dominant worldwide, show traits that help them escape immune defenses and possibly spread more easily. However, they don’t necessarily bind more strongly than other variants. Prof. Bernardi says, “This research is important because it helps us understand why some COVID-19 variants spread more quickly than others. By studying the virus‘s binding mechanism, we can predict which variants might become more prevalent and prepare better responses to them.”
This research emphasizes the importance of biomechanics in understanding viral pathogenesis and opens new avenues for scientific investigation into viral evolution and therapeutic development. It stands as a testament to the collaborative nature of scientific research in addressing significant health challenges.
More information: Magnus S. Bauer et al, Single-molecule force stability of the SARS-CoV-2–ACE2 interface in variants-of-concern, Nature Nanotechnology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01536-7. www.nature.com/articles/s41565-023-01536-7
Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology
News
Small antibodies provide broad protection against SARS coronaviruses
Scientists have discovered a unique class of small antibodies that are strongly protective against a wide range of SARS coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1 and numerous early and recent SARS-CoV-2 variants. The unique antibodies target an [...]
Controlling This One Molecule Could Halt Alzheimer’s in Its Tracks
New research identifies the immune molecule STING as a driver of brain damage in Alzheimer’s. A new approach to Alzheimer’s disease has led to an exciting discovery that could help stop the devastating cognitive decline [...]
Cyborg tadpoles are helping us learn how brain development starts
How does our brain, which is capable of generating complex thoughts, actions and even self-reflection, grow out of essentially nothing? An experiment in tadpoles, in which an electronic implant was incorporated into a precursor [...]
Prime Editing: The Next Frontier in Genetic Medicine
By Dr. Chinta SidharthanReviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. Discover how prime editing is redefining the future of medicine by offering highly precise, safe, and versatile DNA corrections, bringing hope for more effective treatments for genetic diseases [...]
Can scientists predict life longevity from a drop of blood?
Discover how a new epigenetic clock measures how fast you are really aging from just a drop of blood or saliva. A recent study published in the journal Nature Aging constructed an intrinsic capacity (IC) clock [...]
What is different about the NB.1.8.1 Covid variant?
For many of us, Covid-19 feels like a chapter we’ve closed – along with the days of PCR tests, mask mandates and daily case updates. But while life may feel back to normal, the [...]
Scientists discover single cell creatures can learn new behaviours
It was previously thought that learning behaviours only applied to animals with complex brain and nervous systems, but a new study has proven that this may also occur in individual cells. As a result, this new evidence may change how [...]
Virus which ’causes multiple organ failure’ found at popular Spanish holiday destination
British tourists planning trips to Spain have been warned after a deadly virus that can cause multiple organ failure has been detected in the country. The Foreign Office issued the alert on its dedicated website Travel [...]
Urgent health warning as dangerous new Covid virus from China triggers US outbreak
A dangerous new Covid variant from China is surging in California, health officials warn. The California Department of Public Health warned this week the highly contagious NB.1.8.1 strain has been detected in the state, making it the [...]
How the evolution of a single gene allowed the plague to adapt, prolonging the pandemics
Scientists have documented the way a single gene in the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, Yersinia pestis, allowed it to survive hundreds of years by adjusting its virulence and the length of time it [...]
Inhalable Nanovaccines: The Future of Needle-Free Immunization
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for adaptable and scalable vaccine technologies. While mRNA vaccines have improved disease prevention, most are delivered by intramuscular injection, which may not effectively prevent infections that begin at [...]
‘Stealthy’ lipid nanoparticles give mRNA vaccines a makeover
A new material developed at Cornell University could significantly improve the delivery and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines by replacing a commonly used ingredient that may trigger unwanted immune responses in some people. Thanks to [...]
You could be inhaling nearly 70,000 plastic particles annually, what it means for your health
Invisible plastics in the air are infiltrating our bodies and cities. Scientists reveal the urgent health dangers and outline bold solutions for a cleaner, safer future. In a recent review article published in the [...]
Experts explain how H5 avian influenza adapts to infect more animals
A new global review reveals how rapidly evolving H5 bird flu viruses are reaching new species, including dairy cattle, and stresses the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent the next pandemic. Since its [...]
3D-printed device enables precise modeling of complex human tissues in the lab
A new, easily adopted, 3D-printed device will enable scientists to create models of human tissue with even greater control and complexity. An interdisciplinary group of researchers at the University of Washington and UW Medicine [...]
Ancient DNA sheds light on evolution of relapsing fever bacteria
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and UCL have analyzed ancient DNA from Borrelia recurrentis, a type of bacteria that causes relapsing fever, pinpointing when it evolved to spread through lice rather than ticks, and [...]
