SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic, displays a corona-shaped layer of spikes which play a fundamental role in the infection process. Recent structural data suggest that the spikes possess orientational freedom and the ribonucleoproteins segregate into basketlike structures. How these structural features regulate the dynamic and mechanical behavior of the native virion are yet unknown. By imaging and mechanically manipulating individual, native SARS-CoV-2 virions with atomic force microscopy, here, we show that their surface displays a dynamic brush owing to the flexibility and rapid motion of the spikes. The virions are highly compliant and able to recover from drastic mechanical perturbations. Their global structure is remarkably temperature resistant, but the virion surface becomes progressively denuded of spikes upon thermal exposure. The dynamics and the mechanics of SARS-CoV-2 are likely to affect its stability and interactions.

中文翻译：

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单个天然SARS-CoV-2病毒粒子的形貌，峰值动态和纳米力学

SARS-CoV-2是导致当前COVID-19大流行的病毒，其冠状的日冕状层在感染过程中起着至关重要的作用。最近的结构数据表明，刺突具有取向自由性，核糖核蛋白分离成篮状结构。这些结构特征如何调节天然病毒体的动态和机械行为仍是未知的。通过使用原子力显微镜对单个的天然SARS-CoV-2病毒体进行成像和机械操作，在这里，我们显示由于尖峰的灵活性和快速运动，它们的表面显示出动态的刷子。病毒体高度顺从，能够从剧烈的机械扰动中恢复。它们的整体结构非常耐高温，但是病毒粒子表面在热暴露后会逐渐剥夺尖峰。SARS-CoV-2的动力学和力学机制可能会影响其稳定性和相互作用。