1Cademy - Receptor-binding domain differences between RmYN02 and SARS-CoV-2

Receptor-binding domain differences between RmYN02 and SARS-CoV-2

The two loops in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the RmYN02 are shorter than those of SARS-CoV-2 due to amino acid deletions. Additionally, the RmYN02 does not have a conserved disulfide bond present in SARS-CoV-2 and RaTG13. These variations can prevent binding between RmYN02 RBD and ACE2 receptor due to conformation differences.
There are six amino acid residues in the RBD that are significant in facilitating binding between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2. RmYN02 and RaTG13 were found to only share one of the residues with SARS-CoV-2. This demonstrates a complex selection and recombination taking place leading to SARS-CoV-2.