RCSB Protein Data Bank resources for structure-facilitated design of mRNA vaccines for existing and emerging viral pathogens

Structural biologists provide direct insights into the molecular bases of human health and disease. The open access Protein Data Bank (PDB) stores and delivers three-dimensional (3D) biostructure data that facilitate discovery and development of therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools. We are in the midst of a revolution in vaccinology. Non-infectious mRNA vaccines have been proven during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This new technology underpins nimble discovery and clinical development platforms that use knowledge of 3D viral protein structures for societal benefit. The RCSB PDB supports vaccine designers through expert biocuration and rigorous validation of 3D structures; open-access dissemination of structure information; and search, visualization, and analysis tools for structure-guided design efforts. This resource article examines the structural biology underpinning the success of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines and enumerates some of the many protein structures in the PDB archive that could guide design of new countermeasures against existing and emerging viral pathogens.

Automated summary

Structural biologists play a crucial role in understanding human health and disease at the molecular level. The open access Protein Data Bank (PDB) stores and provides three-dimensional biostructure data to aid in the discovery and development of therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools. The success of non-infectious mRNA vaccines, such as those developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is based on the knowledge of 3D viral protein structures. The RCSB PDB supports vaccine designers through rigorous validation and dissemination of structure information, as well as providing tools for structure-guided design efforts.