Key result
Cryo-EM structure of an engineered SARS-CoV-2 S2-only antigen reveals a more open conformation with stabilizing intermolecular interactions at the trimer base relative to intact spike.
Why the study?
SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence requires immunogens promoting broad, durable immunity, but the conserved pre-fusion S2 subunit irreversibly collapses into a post-fusion conformation without S1.
Population
Convalescent and vaccinated individuals
Comparison
Engineered S2-only antigen vs intact spike
Design
Structural and biophysical study using cryo-EM
Authors
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Guides S2-based immunogen engineering; leaves open whether this conformation improves vaccine efficacy in humans.
The high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the pre-fusion S2 subunit reveals an open conformation that could inform the design of next-generation broad coronavirus booster immunogens.
Olmedillas et al. (2025) studied SARS-CoV-2. Engineered S2-only antigen vs. Intact spike was evaluated on High-resolution cryo-EM structure of pre-fusion S2. Cryo-EM structure of an engineered SARS-CoV-2 S2-only antigen reveals a more open conformation with stabilizing intermolecular interactions at the trimer base relative to intact spike.
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