The structure, size, and main physicochemical characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 virion with the spike transmembrane protein corona were discussed. Using these data, diffusion coefficients of the virion in aqueous media and in air were calculated. The structure and dimensions of the spike protein derived from molecular dynamic modeling and thorough cryo-electron microscopy measurements were also analyzed. The charge distribution over the molecule was calculated and shown to be largely heterogeneous. Although the stalk part is negatively charged, the top part of the spike molecule, especially the receptor binding domain, remains positively charged for a broad range of pH. It is underlined that such a charge distribution promotes the spike corona stability and enhances the virion attachment to receptors and surfaces, mostly negatively charged. The review is completed by the analysis of experimental data pertinent to the spike protein adsorption at abiotic surfaces comprising nanoparticle carrier particles. It is argued that these theoretical and experimental data can be used for developing quantitative models of virus attachment to surfaces, facilitating adequate analysis of future experimental results.

讨论了具有刺突跨膜蛋白冠的 SARS-CoV-2 病毒粒子的结构、大小和主要理化特性。使用这些数据，计算了病毒粒子在水性介质和空气中的扩散系数。还分析了源自分子动力学模型和彻底的低温电子显微镜测量的刺突蛋白的结构和尺寸。计算了分子上的电荷分布并显示其在很大程度上是不均匀的。尽管茎部带负电，但刺突分子的顶部，尤其是受体结合域，在较宽的 pH 范围内仍带正电。需要强调的是，这种电荷分布促进了尖峰电晕的稳定性，并增强了病毒粒子对受体和表面的附着，主要是带负电。通过分析与包含纳米颗粒载体颗粒的非生物表面上的刺突蛋白吸附相关的实验数据，完成了审查。有人认为，这些理论和实验数据可用于开发病毒附着在表面的定量模型，促进对未来实验结果的充分分析。