Model of Membrane Fusion by SARS CoV-2 Spike Protein

A dynamic simulation and visual model of how the SARS CoV-2 Spike protein drives fusion of viral and cell membranes. Binding of the S1 spike trimer 'cap' to an ACE2 receptor triggers release of S1 and unveils the S2 trimer below. Extension of S2 leads to embedding of hydrophobic fusion regions into the host cell membrane. Once tethered to both viral and cell membranes, refolding of S2 on itself drives membrane fusion and release of the viral genome into the host cell cytoplasm.

Created by Jonathan Khao, Ph.D. and Gaël McGill, Ph.D.

Modeled and simulated with Molecular Maya (Modeling & Rigging kits)

We wish to thank Bing Chen, Ph.D., and Stephen Harrison, Ph.D. for their guidance and sharing data prior to publication.

A more detailed visualization is currently in production - one that references and documents the primary literature (structural, dynamic and other data) used to create this visual model.

[clarknielson]

I seriously could not visualize this until now, , , and have to write a paper on it. Good job!

[RetroSpectrum]

WHOA Awesome 3d model of the process!!! Thank you for sharing! This is super cool!

[vblaas]

Great animation once again. Mmaya toolkit is great too. I wish autodesk dropped their prices a little for non-student licenses.

[EgonWillighagen]

Can you please explain what experiments have been done to elucidate this mechanism? The extension of the S2 part is fascinating!

[minjeongkim-yh]

Which renderer did you use? I am curious about the 2d cartoon renderer

[유민상-is]

How can i see a Chap18 of dsDNA kit, Cleaving dsDNA?

[Abdel-Karim-]

Is Life random
God is in the creation of everything