Structure of SARS coronavirus spike receptor-binding domain complexed with receptor.
Li, F., Li, W., Farzan, M., Harrison, S.C.(2005) Science 309: 1864-1868
- PubMed: 16166518 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1116480
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2AJF - PubMed Abstract: 
The spike protein (S) of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) attaches the virus to its cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). A defined receptor-binding domain (RBD) on S mediates this interaction. The crystal structure at 2.9 angstrom resolution of the RBD bound with the peptidase domain of human ACE2 shows that the RBD presents a gently concave surface, which cradles the N-terminal lobe of the peptidase. The atomic details at the interface between the two proteins clarify the importance of residue changes that facilitate efficient cross-species infection and human-to-human transmission. The structure of the RBD suggests ways to make truncated disulfide-stabilized RBD variants for use in the design of coronavirus vaccines.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, 320 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.