Protein Structure Determination for Coronavirus Research

Determining the three-dimensional (3D) structure of proteins is critical for understanding the mechanism of coronavirus infection, discovering potential drug targets and structure-based drug design. Rapid advances in methodologies for protein expression and purification have made it easy to obtain enough quantities of proteins for structural studies. In addition, many breakthroughs have been made in X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and electron microscopy (EM) techniques related to protein structure analysis. As a professional structural biology service supplier, Creative Biostructure can offer a range of services for the structure determination of viral structural proteins/non-structural proteins, host proteins, antigen-antibody complexes, etc., using our three established structural biology technology platforms.

Brief Introduction to Coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus (CoV) is an enveloped virus with a positive-strand RNA genome. It belongs to the Nidovirales order of the Coronaviridae family and is divided into four genera (α, β, γ, and δ). And the new coronavirus involved in the recent outbreak belongs to the β genera. To date, no specific therapeutic drug or vaccine has been approved for the treatment of human coronavirus. Coronavirus infection is a sophisticated process that requires the synergistic effects of receptor binding and proteolysis of the spike (S) protein to promote virus-cell fusion. 3D structure information of proteins can show the details of the interface between virus and host and contribute to guiding the design of vaccines and the discovery of drugs against human coronavirus.

Figure 1. Structural studies of human Coronavirus strains binding to host receptors. (Adapted from Tortorici M A.; et al. 2019)

Structural Biology Services at Creative Biostructure

Creative Biostructure has comprehensive structural biology research capabilities. For coronavirus research, we can provide a series of structural biology services for protein structure determination, from molecular cloning to data interpretation. Our services include but not limited to:

1. Protein Expression and Purification for Coronavirus Research
   • A variety of protein expression systems, such as cell free expression, bacterial expression, yeast expression, baculovirus expression and mammalian expression
   • High-quality (membrane) proteins suitable for crystallization, NMR or EM observation
2. X-ray Crystallography Services for Coronavirus Research
   • High-throughput protein crystallization screening and condition optimization
   • X-ray diffraction data collection, processing and interpretation
3. Protein NMR Spectroscopy Services for Coronavirus Research
   • Resolving small protein structures and acquiring dynamic configurations
   • From protein preparation to NMR data collection and analysis
4. Protein Structure Analysis Using Negative Stain Electron Microscopy for Coronavirus Research
   • Qualitative inspection of protein quality
   • Obtaining the initial model of protein 3D structure reconstruction
5. Protein Structure Analysis Using Single Particle Cryo-EM for Coronavirus Research
   • Popular method for large biomolecules and macromolecular complexes
   • From sample preparation to protein 3D structure reconstruction and data analysis
6. Protein Structure Analysis Using Cryo-ET for Coronavirus Research
   • Cryo-ET and sub-tomogram average for visualization of intracellular organization of macromolecules
   • From protein preparation to 3D reconstruction and structure refinement

Why Do You Choose Us?

Creative Biostructure utilizes a variety of strategies to determine the structure of the macromolecules you are interested in coronavirus research, to promote research on the pathogenic mechanisms of coronaviruses and the development of antiviral therapies. We guarantee:

• Advanced platform apparatus and techniques
• Unparalleled precision in protein structure analysis with competitive price
• Tailored services and top-rated customer experience
• Fast response and information security
• Our customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day from Monday to Sunday

Contact us to discuss your project!

Reference

1. Tortorici M A, Veesler D. Structural insights into coronavirus entry. Advances in Virus Research. 2019, 105: 93-116.