The COVID-19 Demogorgon (aka spike) in action
Partial opening of the mouth of the COVID-19 Demogorgon (aka spike) captured by our simulations. The three colors are the three proteins that come together to form the spike. Each is made of a linear chain of chemicals called amino acids. The ribbons trace out each chain. The transparent surface is the surface of the COVID-19 Demogorgon. The three proteins that make up the Demogorgon must spread apart to reveal the ACE2 binding site, which initiates infection by attaching to a protein called ACE2 on the surface of human cells. This movie captures part of that opening motion.