Biomimetic Recognition of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain N-Glycans by an Antiviral Synthetic Receptor

Recognition of glycans by simple synthetic receptors is a key issue in supramolecular chemistry, endowed with relevant implications in glycobiology and medicine. In this context, glycoproteins featuring N-glycans represent an important biological target, because they are often exploited by enveloped viruses in adhesion and infection processes. However, a direct evidence for their recognition by a synthetic receptor targeting N-glycans is still missing in the literature. Using a combination of glycoengineering and mass spectrometry techniques, we present here the direct evidence of biomimetic recognition of complex-type N-glycans exposed on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the wild-type spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 by a biologically active, synthetic receptor.