[PDF][PDF] Neutralizing antibody 5-7 defines a distinct site of vulnerability in SARS-CoV-2 spike N-terminal domain

G Cerutti, Y Guo, P Wang, MS Nair, M Wang, Y Huang… - Cell reports, 2021 - cell.com
G Cerutti, Y Guo, P Wang, MS Nair, M Wang, Y Huang, J Yu, L Liu, PS Katsamba, F Bahna…
Cell reports, 2021cell.com
Antibodies that potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 target mainly the receptor-binding domain
or the N-terminal domain (NTD). Over a dozen potently neutralizing NTD-directed antibodies
have been studied structurally, and all target a single antigenic supersite in NTD (site 1).
Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of a potent NTD-directed neutralizing antibody 5-7,
which recognizes a site distinct from other potently neutralizing antibodies, inserting a
binding loop into an exposed hydrophobic pocket between the two sheets of the NTD β …
Summary
Antibodies that potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 target mainly the receptor-binding domain or the N-terminal domain (NTD). Over a dozen potently neutralizing NTD-directed antibodies have been studied structurally, and all target a single antigenic supersite in NTD (site 1). Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of a potent NTD-directed neutralizing antibody 5-7, which recognizes a site distinct from other potently neutralizing antibodies, inserting a binding loop into an exposed hydrophobic pocket between the two sheets of the NTD β sandwich. Interestingly, this pocket was previously identified as the binding site for hydrophobic molecules, including heme metabolites, but we observe that their presence does not substantially impede 5-7 recognition. Mirroring its distinctive binding, antibody 5-7 retains neutralization potency with many variants of concern (VOCs). Overall, we reveal that a hydrophobic pocket in NTD proposed for immune evasion can be used by the immune system for recognition.
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