Topography, Spike Dynamics, and Nanomechanics of Individual Native SARS-CoV-2 Virions.
Nano Lett
; 21(6): 2675-2680, 2021 03 24.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1039625
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic, displays a corona-shaped layer of spikes which play a fundamental role in the infection process. Recent structural data suggest that the spikes possess orientational freedom and the ribonucleoproteins segregate into basketlike structures. How these structural features regulate the dynamic and mechanical behavior of the native virion are yet unknown. By imaging and mechanically manipulating individual, native SARS-CoV-2 virions with atomic force microscopy, here, we show that their surface displays a dynamic brush owing to the flexibility and rapid motion of the spikes. The virions are highly compliant and able to recover from drastic mechanical perturbations. Their global structure is remarkably temperature resistant, but the virion surface becomes progressively denuded of spikes upon thermal exposure. The dynamics and the mechanics of SARS-CoV-2 are likely to affect its stability and interactions.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Virion
/
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Nano Lett
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Acs.nanolett.0c04465
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