The metallopeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the SARS-CoV-2 receptor required for viral entry based on its specific recognition of the spike protein receptor binding domain (S_RBD) on SARS-CoV-2. We constructed a human ACE2 (hACE2)-based peptide pair by ligating discontinuous key residues involved in the hACE2-S_RBD interaction. We firstly performed in silico simulations to identify a 12-mer and 15-mer peptide pair with capability to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 S_RBD via different binding sites. Then, the bio-layer interferometry validated the specific interactions between the peptides and S_RBD, with affinities at the nanomolar level. Lastly, we developed a colorimetric sandwich-type bioassay based on S_RBD-specific peptide-modified gold nanoparticles and found the colorimetric bioassay offered fast (<30 min), simple, and sensitive detection of S_RBD protein at levels as low as 0.01 nM (0.26 ng mL-1) in SARS-CoV-2. The linear signals ranging from 105 to 107 virus copies mL-1 were achieved in typical types of environmental waters spiked with lysed SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. The technology can serve as a beneficial supplement to the routine virus nucleic acid detection in environment media and wastewater treatment.
Keywords: Affinity peptide pair; Colorimetric biosensing; Environmental samples; Molecular dynamics simulation; SARS-CoV-2.
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