X-ray Crystallography Services for Coronavirus Research
A new highly pathogenic coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, provisionally named 2019-nCoV)
has swept the world since December 2019. The key to responding to this
outbreak is to understand the pathogenic mechanism of the virus. Our understanding
of the viral infection process at the molecular and atomic levels depends
on the ability to map the structural details of individual biological macromolecules
and their interactions with each other and with small molecules. The determination
of the three-dimensional (3D) structures of proteins is essential for understanding
these interactions and their structure-function relationships, which is
beneficial for scientists to develop more effective preventive or therapeutic
drugs more quickly. With advanced facilities and years of experience in
crystallization and structure determination, Creative Biostructure provides flexible X-ray crystallography services covering all technical
stages from gene synthesis to structural analysis to support coronavirus-related
research.
Brief Introduction to Coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2
The crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain
(RBD) bound to the cell receptor ACE2 has been identified by X-ray crystallography
technology, which helps us better understand the initial steps of novel
coronavirus infection at the atomic level. The overall binding pattern
of SARS-CoV-2 RBD and ACE2 is almost the same as that of SARS-CoV RBD,
which also uses ACE2 as a cell receptor. In addition, the scientists used
a high-intensity X-ray source to make an in-depth analysis of the main
protease (Mpro, also known as 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, 3CLpro) of
SARS-CoV-2. The results of these crystallographic studies are important
for the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines.
Figure 1. 3D structure of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in two different views. (Zhang
L.; et al . 2020)
Why Do You Need This Service?
The technology is not limited by the molecular weight of the sample. In
addition, the algorithm for protein structural analysis using this technology
is well developed, and the reconstructed model has high confidence. With
this technique, you can obtain a 3D structure of individual protein/protein-small
molecule complex/protein-protein complex with high atomic resolution. This
structural information improves to understand protein function and will
facilitate the development of coronavirus antiviral drugs.
What We Can Do?
Creative Biostructure 's X-ray crystallography services for coronavirus research are very
flexible, including experimental drug screening of validated antiviral
drug target structures, as well as customized gene-to-structure service.
Our services not only involve the determination of individual protein crystal
structure, but also include co-crystallization and structure determination
of protein-protein complexes/protein-ligand complexes. We developed a high-throughput
X-ray crystallography pipeline that includes cloning, expression, and purification
of proteins, followed by protein crystallization and high-resolution crystal
structure determination. The gene-to-structure services for coronavirus
research are performed on a fee-for-service basis and include:
Why Do You Choose Us?
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Professional team of scientists and more than ten years of experience
in crystallography services
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Customized service to customer satisfaction
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Strictly keep confidential the client's project information and experimental
data
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Well-known contract research organization in the field of structural biology
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Our customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day from
Monday to Sunday
Contact us to discuss your project!
References
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Lan J.; et al . Structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain bound to the
ACE2 receptor. Nature . 2020: 1-9.
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Shang J.; et al . Structural basis of receptor recognition by SARS-CoV-2. Nature . 2020: 1-8.
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Zhang L.; et al . Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease provides a basis for design
of improved α-ketoamide inhibitors. Science . 2020.
