Modular basis for potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralization by a prevalent VH1-2-derived antibody class.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Source:

Cell Rep, p.108950 (2021)

Abstract:

<p>Antibodies with heavy chains that derive from the VH1-2 gene constitute some of the most potent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-neutralizing antibodies yet identified. To provide insight into whether these genetic similarities inform common modes of recognition, we determine the structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike in complex with three VH1-2-derived antibodies: 2-15, 2-43, and H4. All three use VH1-2-encoded motifs to recognize the receptor-binding domain (RBD), with heavy-chain N53I-enhancing binding and light-chain tyrosines recognizing F486. Despite these similarities, class members bind both RBD-up and -down conformations of the spike, with a subset of antibodies using elongated CDRH3s to recognize glycan N343 on a neighboring RBD-a quaternary interaction accommodated by an increase in RBD separation of up to 12&nbsp;Å. The VH1-2 antibody class, thus, uses modular recognition encoded by modular genetic elements to effect potent neutralization, with the VH-gene component specifying recognition of RBD and the CDRH3 component specifying quaternary interactions.</p>

PDB: 
7L2C, 7L5B
Detector: 
EIGER2
Beamline: 
24-ID-C
Crystallographic structure of neutralizing antibody 2-15 in complex with SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding Domain (RBD)