Fig. 1: HexaPro-SS-Δstalk S2-only trimer and context within the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
From: Simulation-driven design of stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike S2 immunogens
The model of the HexaPro-SS-Δstalk S2-only trimer in the closed prefusion conformation is depicted with a cartoon representation where the protomers are highlighted with different shades of purple. We note that the spike’s S1 subunit, here shown with a gray transparent surface only to provide context, is not present in this construct. N-glycans linked to S2 are shown as dark gray sticks. Glycans linked to S1 are omitted for clarity. HexaPro-SS-Δstalk is an S2-only construct derived from the prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 HexaPro spike32. The distinctive substitutions (i.e., S704C, K790C, Q957E) incorporated in the HexaPro-SS-Δstalk32 are highlighted in the panels on the right. They stabilize S2 in a prefusion trimer assembly, preventing protomer dissociation via the formation of interprotomer salt bridges and disulfide bonds.
