Recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain by neutralizing antibodies

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 538; pp. 192 - 203
• Main Authors: Yuan, Meng, Liu, Hejun, Wu, Nicholas C., Wilson, Ian A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 29.01.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 - chemistry; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 - immunology; Antibodies, Neutralizing - immunology; Antibodies, Viral - immunology; Antibody avidity; antibody formation; Binding Sites - immunology; COVID-19 infection; Cross-neutralization; Epitopes; Germline-encoded motifs; Humans; Neutralizing antibodies; pandemic; Protein Binding - immunology; Protein Domains - immunology; RBD natural mutations; Receptor binding domain (RBD); Receptors, Virus - chemistry; Receptors, Virus - immunology; SARS-CoV; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2 - immunology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus - immunology; therapeutics; vaccines; viruses; Receptor binding domain (RBD); SARS-CoV-2; Germline-encoded motifs; Cross-neutralization; Antibody avidity; Neutralizing antibodies; SARS-CoV; RBD natural mutations; Epitopes
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.012

Immediately from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers from diverse biomedical and biological disciplines have united to study the novel pandemic virus, SARS-CoV-2. The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 has been a major focus of COVID-19 research due to its clinical relevance and importance in vaccine and therapeutic development. Isolation and characterization of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 have been accumulating at an unprecedented pace. Most of the SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies to date target the spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD), which engages the host receptor ACE2 for viral entry. Here we review the binding sites and molecular features of monoclonal antibodies that target the SARS-CoV-2 RBD, including a few that also cross-neutralize SARS-CoV. •The receptor binding domain is a major target of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.•Neutralizing antibodies target various epitopes on the receptor binding domain.•Convergent antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 are observed.•Cross-neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV maps to two RBD epitopes.•Antibody avidity can be crucial for neutralization potency against SARS-CoV-2.