An animation of human cell membrane receptor ACE2 (golden) being recognised by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein (red).

The Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the Spike protein transitions from a retracted state to an erect state in order to determine the suitability of a potential target cell for infection.

Mutations that destabilise the retracted conformation of the RBD may render new viral strains more infectious.

CAST

Cryo-Electron Microscopy map EMD-11684.

Human ACE2 1R42.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein 6XLU.

SOFTWARE

Several components of the Situs package (collage, colores, ddforge, pdb2vol, map2map).

PDBFixer, MODELLER, UCSF Chimera, Manjaro Linux.