Abstract
Understanding the workings of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is
crucial to develop counter therapeutic measures. SARS-CoV-2 gains entry
into human cell by binding its receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of Spike
protein (S1) to ACE2 receptors. In order to study the effect of
mechanical stress on the RBD of SARS-CoV-2, it is modelled as
viscoelastic material using Burgers Model. Strain response of RBD under
constant stress is analyzed, which gives useful insights into the
conformational transitions of RBD at 0K and physiological temperatures.
The theoretical underpinning has shown that with increase in the number
of stress cycles, the binding affinities of RBD conformational states to
ACE2 receptor decrease, decreasing the binding reaction rate between
ACE2 receptor and SARS-CoV-2. This analysis gives theoretical evidence
that ultrasonic therapy and photo therapy (UV) can be potential
candidates to reduce binding reaction rates between ACE2 and SARS-COV-2.