May 24, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 Spike Variants Bind Human ACE2 with Increased Affinity

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

Keywords (Tags): variant

• SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants were found to have 2- and 4.6-times higher binding affinity, respectively, for the human ACE2 receptor than the wildtype virus. The authors suggest that this may explain some of the observed increased transmissibility of these variants.  

Ramanathan et al. (May 2021). SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 Spike Variants Bind Human ACE2 with Increased Affinity. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00262-0