This entry represents the receptor binding domain (S1 RBD) of the betacoronavirus spike glycoprotein. The spike glycoprotein is arranged in trimers on the surface of the viral membrane and is essential for viral entry. The spike protein is translated as a large polypeptide that is subsequently cleaved to the distal S1, responsible for receptor binding, and the membrane-anchored S2 responsible for membrane fusion. The coronavirus (SARS-CoV) S1 subunit is composed of two distinct domains: an N-terminal domain (S1 NTD) and a receptor-binding domain (S1 RBD) also referred to as the S1 CTD or domain B. Each of these domains have been implicated in binding to host receptors. However, most coronaviruses are not known to utilize both the S1 NTD and S1 RBD for viral entry. SARS-CoV makes use of its S1 RBD to bind to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as its host receptor.
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