SARS-CoV-2 spike binding to ACE2 is stronger and longer ranged due to glycan interaction

Highly detailed steered molecular dynamics simulations are performed on differently glycosylated receptor binding domains of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 spike protein. The binding strength and the binding range increase with glycosylation. The interaction energy rises very quickly when pulling the proteins apart and only slowly drops at larger distances. We see a catch-slip-type behavior whereby interactions during pulling break and are taken over by new interactions forming. The dominant interaction mode is hydrogen bonds, but Lennard-Jones and electrostatic interactions are relevant as well.

Automated summary

Highly detailed steered molecular dynamics simulations were conducted on differently glycosylated receptor binding domains of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Glycosylation increased the binding strength and range, and a catch-slip behavior was observed during protein pulling, where new interactions replaced broken interactions. Hydrogen bonds were the dominant interaction mode, while Lennard-Jones and electrostatic interactions were also relevant.