9ue7 | pdb_00009ue7
Cryo-EM structure of SARS-CoV-2 KP.2 spike in complex with ACE2
Structural highlights
FunctionACE2_HUMAN Carboxypeptidase which converts angiotensin I to angiotensin 1-9, a peptide of unknown function, and angiotensin II to angiotensin 1-7, a vasodilator. Also able to hydrolyze apelin-13 and dynorphin-13 with high efficiency. May be an important regulator of heart function. In case of human coronaviruses SARS and HCoV-NL63 infections, serve as functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein of both coronaviruses.[1] [2] [3] Publication Abstract from PubMedKP.3.1.1 became a dominant successor to JN.1 by the second half of 2024 but the intrinsic pathogenicity and virological feature of KP.3.1.1 remain incompletely understood. Here, we comprehensively evaluated the pathogenesis and characteristics of KP.3.1.1 in comparison to JN.1 and other JN.1-derived variants including JN.1.7, KP.2, and KP.3. The unique S31del mutation on KP.3.1.1 spike confers further evasion to the clinically authorized mAb Pemivibart and reduces convalescent serum neutralization efficiency. Structural analysis indicates that S31del induces novel glycosylation sites that facilitates evasion of neutralizing antibodies. We further reveal that S31del significantly enhances pseudovirus entry efficiency in all evaluated cell types including the human primary nasal epithelial cells. Nevertheless, the intrinsic pathogenicity of KP.3.1.1 is similar to JN.1 and KP.3, and higher than that of JN.1.7 and KP.2 in a male hamster model. Interestingly, the increased virus infectivity conferred by S31del in KP.3.1.1 spike is counterbalanced by the NSP10 S33C mutation. Overall, our study indicates that a single spike mutation can confer both enhanced immune escape and increased viral infectivity. The opposing effects of spike and non-spike mutations highlight the complex interplay of viral genomic elements in shaping their overall fitness, and reveal the high plasticity of coronavirus evolution. Pathogenicity, virological features, and immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1-derived variants including JN.1.7, KP.2, KP.3, and KP.3.1.1.,Shi J, Zhao X, Jin X, Li J, Liu Y, Liu H, Hu YF, Chen Z, Xiao Y, Wang L, Wang Y, He Y, Chai Y, Hu B, Shuai H, Wang Y, Li X, Jiang S, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Chan WM, Chen LL, Cai JP, Sui B, Zhang H, Yang D, Zhu L, Yuan S, Zhou J, Huang JD, Yuen KY, To KK, Chan JF, Zhang BZ, Wang Q, He M, Sun L, Wang P, Chu H Nat Commun. 2025 Dec 11;16(1):11002. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-66018-x. PMID:41381428[4] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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