IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natcom/v16y2025i1d10.1038_s41467-024-55358-9.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Probing SARS-CoV-2 membrane binding peptide via single-molecule AFM-based force spectroscopy

Author

Listed:
  • Qingrong Zhang

    (L7.07.07)

  • Raissa S. L. Rosa

    (Auburn University)

  • Ankita Ray

    (L7.07.07)

  • Kimberley Durlet

    (L7.07.07)

  • Gol Mohammad Dorrazehi

    (L7.07.07)

  • Rafael C. Bernardi

    (Auburn University
    Auburn University)

  • David Alsteens

    (L7.07.07)

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein’s membrane-binding domain bridges the viral and host cell membrane, a critical step in triggering membrane fusion. Here, we investigate how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts with host cell membranes, focusing on a membrane-binding peptide (MBP) located near the TMPRSS2 cleavage site. Through in vitro and computational studies, we examine both primed (TMPRSS2-cleaved) and unprimed versions of the MBP, as well as the influence of its conserved disulfide bridge on membrane binding. Our results show that the MBP preferentially associates with cholesterol-rich membranes, and we find that cholesterol depletion significantly reduces viral infectivity. Furthermore, we observe that the disulfide bridge stabilizes the MBP’s interaction with the membrane, suggesting a structural role in viral entry. Together, these findings highlight the importance of membrane composition and peptide structure in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and suggest that targeting the disulfide bridge could provide a therapeutic strategy against infection.

Suggested Citation

  • Qingrong Zhang & Raissa S. L. Rosa & Ankita Ray & Kimberley Durlet & Gol Mohammad Dorrazehi & Rafael C. Bernardi & David Alsteens, 2025. "Probing SARS-CoV-2 membrane binding peptide via single-molecule AFM-based force spectroscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55358-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55358-9
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-55358-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41467-024-55358-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pawel R. Laskowski & Kristyna Pluhackova & Maximilian Haase & Brian M. Lang & Gisela Nagler & Andreas Kuhn & Daniel J. Müller, 2021. "Monitoring the binding and insertion of a single transmembrane protein by an insertase," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Tyler N. Starr & Nadine Czudnochowski & Zhuoming Liu & Fabrizia Zatta & Young-Jun Park & Amin Addetia & Dora Pinto & Martina Beltramello & Patrick Hernandez & Allison J. Greaney & Roberta Marzi & Will, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibodies that maximize breadth and resistance to escape," Nature, Nature, vol. 597(7874), pages 97-102, September.
    3. Ge Song & Wan-ting He & Sean Callaghan & Fabio Anzanello & Deli Huang & James Ricketts & Jonathan L. Torres & Nathan Beutler & Linghang Peng & Sirena Vargas & Jon Cassell & Mara Parren & Linlin Yang &, 2021. "Cross-reactive serum and memory B-cell responses to spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronavirus infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Wei Shi & Yongfei Cai & Haisun Zhu & Hanqin Peng & Jewel Voyer & Sophia Rits-Volloch & Hong Cao & Megan L. Mayer & Kangkang Song & Chen Xu & Jianming Lu & Jun Zhang & Bing Chen, 2023. "Cryo-EM structure of SARS-CoV-2 postfusion spike in membrane," Nature, Nature, vol. 619(7969), pages 403-409, July.
    5. Dora Pinto & Young-Jun Park & Martina Beltramello & Alexandra C. Walls & M. Alejandra Tortorici & Siro Bianchi & Stefano Jaconi & Katja Culap & Fabrizia Zatta & Anna De Marco & Alessia Peter & Barbara, 2020. "Cross-neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by a human monoclonal SARS-CoV antibody," Nature, Nature, vol. 583(7815), pages 290-295, July.
    6. John Jumper & Richard Evans & Alexander Pritzel & Tim Green & Michael Figurnov & Olaf Ronneberger & Kathryn Tunyasuvunakool & Russ Bates & Augustin Žídek & Anna Potapenko & Alex Bridgland & Clemens Me, 2021. "Highly accurate protein structure prediction with AlphaFold," Nature, Nature, vol. 596(7873), pages 583-589, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Leire Campos-Mata & Benjamin Trinité & Andrea Modrego & Sonia Tejedor Vaquero & Edwards Pradenas & Anna Pons-Grífols & Natalia Rodrigo Melero & Diego Carlero & Silvia Marfil & César Santiago & Dàlia R, 2024. "A monoclonal antibody targeting a large surface of the receptor binding motif shows pan-neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 activity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Yanqun Wang & An Yan & Deyong Song & Maoqin Duan & Chuangchuang Dong & Jiantao Chen & Zihe Jiang & Yuanzhu Gao & Muding Rao & Jianxia Feng & Zhaoyong Zhang & Ruxi Qi & Xiaomin Ma & Hong Liu & Beibei Y, 2024. "Identification of a highly conserved neutralizing epitope within the RBD region of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Marco Mandolesi & Hrishikesh Das & Liset Vries & Yiqiu Yang & Changil Kim & Manojj Dhinakaran & Xaquin Castro Dopico & Julian Fischbach & Sungyong Kim & Mariia V. Guryleva & Monika Àdori & Mark Cherny, 2024. "Multi-compartmental diversification of neutralizing antibody lineages dissected in SARS-CoV-2 spike-immunized macaques," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Andrew C. Hunt & Bastian Vögeli & Ahmed O. Hassan & Laura Guerrero & Weston Kightlinger & Danielle J. Yoesep & Antje Krüger & Madison DeWinter & Michael S. Diamond & Ashty S. Karim & Michael C. Jewett, 2023. "A rapid cell-free expression and screening platform for antibody discovery," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Romain Rouet & Jake Y. Henry & Matt D. Johansen & Meghna Sobti & Harikrishnan Balachandran & David B. Langley & Gregory J. Walker & Helen Lenthall & Jennifer Jackson & Stephanie Ubiparipovic & Ohan Ma, 2023. "Broadly neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies through epitope-based selection from convalescent patients," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    6. Ye Yuan & Lei Chen & Kexu Song & Miaomiao Cheng & Ling Fang & Lingfei Kong & Lanlan Yu & Ruonan Wang & Zhendong Fu & Minmin Sun & Qian Wang & Chengjun Cui & Haojue Wang & Jiuyang He & Xiaonan Wang & Y, 2024. "Stable peptide-assembled nanozyme mimicking dual antifungal actions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Ivica Odorčić & Mohamed Belal Hamed & Sam Lismont & Lucía Chávez-Gutiérrez & Rouslan G. Efremov, 2024. "Apo and Aβ46-bound γ-secretase structures provide insights into amyloid-β processing by the APH-1B isoform," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Léon Faure & Bastien Mollet & Wolfram Liebermeister & Jean-Loup Faulon, 2023. "A neural-mechanistic hybrid approach improving the predictive power of genome-scale metabolic models," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Tian Zhu & Merry H. Ma, 2022. "Deriving the Optimal Strategy for the Two Dice Pig Game via Reinforcement Learning," Stats, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Stella Vitt & Simone Prinz & Martin Eisinger & Ulrich Ermler & Wolfgang Buckel, 2022. "Purification and structural characterization of the Na+-translocating ferredoxin: NAD+ reductase (Rnf) complex of Clostridium tetanomorphum," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    11. Pierre Azoulay & Joshua Krieger & Abhishek Nagaraj, 2024. "Old Moats for New Models: Openness, Control, and Competition in Generative Artificial Intelligence," NBER Chapters, in: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy and the Economy, volume 4, pages 7-46, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    12. Riya Shah & Thomas C. Panagiotou & Gregory B. Cole & Trevor F. Moraes & Brigitte D. Lavoie & Christopher A. McCulloch & Andrew Wilde, 2024. "The DIAPH3 linker specifies a β-actin network that maintains RhoA and Myosin-II at the cytokinetic furrow," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    13. Yashan Yang & Qianqian Shao & Mingcheng Guo & Lin Han & Xinyue Zhao & Aohan Wang & Xiangyun Li & Bo Wang & Ji-An Pan & Zhenguo Chen & Andrei Fokine & Lei Sun & Qianglin Fang, 2024. "Capsid structure of bacteriophage ΦKZ provides insights into assembly and stabilization of jumbo phages," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    14. Anthony C. Bishop & Glorisé Torres-Montalvo & Sravya Kotaru & Kyle Mimun & A. Joshua Wand, 2023. "Robust automated backbone triple resonance NMR assignments of proteins using Bayesian-based simulated annealing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    15. Bret M. Boyd & Ian James & Kevin P. Johnson & Robert B. Weiss & Sarah E. Bush & Dale H. Clayton & Colin Dale, 2024. "Stochasticity, determinism, and contingency shape genome evolution of endosymbiotic bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    16. Jun-Yu Si & Yuan-Mei Chen & Ye-Hui Sun & Meng-Xue Gu & Mei-Ling Huang & Lu-Lu Shi & Xiao Yu & Xiao Yang & Qing Xiong & Cheng-Bao Ma & Peng Liu & Zheng-Li Shi & Huan Yan, 2024. "Sarbecovirus RBD indels and specific residues dictating multi-species ACE2 adaptiveness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    17. Deyun Qiu & Jinxin V. Pei & James E. O. Rosling & Vandana Thathy & Dongdi Li & Yi Xue & John D. Tanner & Jocelyn Sietsma Penington & Yi Tong Vincent Aw & Jessica Yi Han Aw & Guoyue Xu & Abhai K. Tripa, 2022. "A G358S mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum Na+ pump PfATP4 confers clinically-relevant resistance to cipargamin," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    18. Shuo-Shuo Liu & Tian-Xia Jiang & Fan Bu & Ji-Lan Zhao & Guang-Fei Wang & Guo-Heng Yang & Jie-Yan Kong & Yun-Fan Qie & Pei Wen & Li-Bin Fan & Ning-Ning Li & Ning Gao & Xiao-Bo Qiu, 2024. "Molecular mechanisms underlying the BIRC6-mediated regulation of apoptosis and autophagy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    19. Dick Schijven & Sourena Soheili-Nezhad & Simon E. Fisher & Clyde Francks, 2024. "Exome-wide analysis implicates rare protein-altering variants in human handedness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    20. Ahrum Son & Hyunsoo Kim & Jolene K. Diedrich & Casimir Bamberger & Daniel B. McClatchy & Stuart A. Lipton & John R. Yates, 2024. "Using in vivo intact structure for system-wide quantitative analysis of changes in proteins," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55358-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.