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Dang M, Li T, Song J. ATP and nucleic acids competitively modulate LLPS of the SARS-CoV2 nucleocapsid protein. Commun Biol 2023; 6:80. [PMID: 36681763 PMCID: PMC9862227 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04480-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein with very low mutation rates is the only structural protein which not only functions to package viral genomic RNA, but also manipulates host-cell machineries, thus representing a key target for drug development. Recent discovery of its liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) opens up a new direction for developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies/drugs. However, so far the high-resolution mechanism of its LLPS still remains unknown. Here by DIC and NMR characterization, we have demonstrated: 1) nucleic acids modulate LLPS by dynamic and multivalent interactions over both folded NTD/CTD and Arg/Lys residues within IDRs; 2) ATP with concentrations > mM in all living cells but absent in viruses not only binds NTD/CTD, but also Arg residues within IDRs with a Kd of 2.8 mM; and 3) ATP dissolves nucleic-acid-induced LLPS by competitively displacing nucleic acid from binding the protein. Our study deciphers that the essential binding of N protein with nucleic acid and its LLPS are targetable by small molecules including ATP, which is emerging as a cellular factor controlling the host-SARS-CoV-2 interaction. Fundamentally, our results imply that the mechanisms of LLPS of IDR-containing proteins mediated by ATP and nucleic acids appear to be highly conserved from human to virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Dang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tongyang Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianxing Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore, Singapore.
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Monteiro FP, Tavares VDS, Souza RDSO, Venâncio LPR, Fabres-Klein MH, do Carmo RF, Klein RC, Lima JB, Araújo-Santos T. Coagulopathy and the humoral response against viral proteins in patients at different stages of COVID-19. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 117:e220072. [PMID: 36700578 PMCID: PMC9870257 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often present with coagulopathies and have high titres of circulating antibodies against viral proteins. OBJECTIVES Herein, we evaluated the association between D-dimer and circulating immunoglobulin levels against viral proteins in patients at different clinical stages of COVID-19. METHODS For this, we performed a cross-sectional study involving patients of the first wave of COVID-19 clinically classified as oligosymptomatic (n = 22), severe (n = 30), cured (n = 27) and non-infected (n = 9). Next, we measured in the plasma samples the total and fraction of immunoglobulins against the nucleoprotein (NP) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assays. FINDINGS Patients with severe disease had a coagulation disorder with high levels of D-dimer as well as circulating IgG against the NP but not the RBD compared to other groups of patients. In addition, high levels of D-dimer and IgG against the NP and RBD were associated with disease severity among the patients in this study. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that IgG against NP and RBD participates in the worsening of COVID-19. Although the humoral response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is partially understood, and more efforts are needed to clarify gaps in the knowledge of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Pereira Monteiro
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil
| | - Victor de Souza Tavares
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil
| | - Rayane da Silva Oliveira Souza
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil
| | - Larissa Paola Rodrigues Venâncio
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil
| | - Mary Hellen Fabres-Klein
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Feliciano do Carmo
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Colegiado de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
| | - Raphael Contelli Klein
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil
| | - Jonilson Berlink Lima
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil
| | - Théo Araújo-Santos
- Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Núcleo de Estudos de Agentes Infecciosos e Vetores, Barreiras, BA, Brasil,+ Corresponding author:
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Solo-Gabriele HM, Kumar S, Abelson S, Penso J, Contreras J, Babler KM, Sharkey ME, Mantero AMA, Lamar WE, Tallon JJ, Kobetz E, Solle NS, Shukla BS, Kenney RJ, Mason CE, Schürer SC, Vidovic D, Williams SL, Grills GS, Jayaweera DT, Mirsaeidi M, Kumar N. Predicting COVID-19 cases using SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, surface swab and wastewater samples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159188. [PMID: 36202365 PMCID: PMC9529341 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Genomic footprints of pathogens shed by infected individuals can be traced in environmental samples, which can serve as a noninvasive method of infectious disease surveillance. The research evaluates the efficacy of environmental monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, surface swabs and wastewater to predict COVID-19 cases. Using a prospective experimental design, air, surface swabs, and wastewater samples were collected from a college dormitory housing roughly 500 students from March to May 2021 at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. Students were randomly screened for COVID-19 during the study period. SARS-CoV-2 concentration in environmental samples was quantified using Volcano 2nd Generation-qPCR. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the associations between time-lagged SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples and COVID-19 cases. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in air, surface swab and wastewater samples on 52 (63.4 %), 40 (50.0 %) and 57 (68.6 %) days, respectively. On 19 (24 %) of 78 days SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all three sample types. COVID-19 cases were reported on 11 days during the study period and SARS-CoV-2 was also detected two days before the case diagnosis on all 11 (100 %), 9 (81.8 %) and 8 (72.7 %) days in air, surface swab and wastewater samples, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 detection in environmental samples was an indicator of the presence of local COVID-19 cases and a 3-day lead indicator for a potential outbreak at the dormitory building scale. Proactive environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogens in multiple environmental media has potential to guide targeted measures to contain and/or mitigate infectious disease outbreaks within communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Shelja Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Samantha Abelson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Johnathon Penso
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Julio Contreras
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Kristina M Babler
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Mark E Sharkey
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Alejandro M A Mantero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Walter E Lamar
- Facilities Safety & Compliance, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - John J Tallon
- Facilities and Operations, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Erin Kobetz
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Bhavarth S Shukla
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Richard J Kenney
- Department of Housing & Residential Life, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephan C Schürer
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America; Institute for Data Science & Computing, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States of America; Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Dusica Vidovic
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Sion L Williams
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - George S Grills
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Dushyantha T Jayaweera
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America.
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54
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Jin X, Liu X, Shen C. A systemic review of T-cell epitopes defined from the proteome of SARS-CoV-2. Virus Res 2023; 324:199024. [PMID: 36526016 PMCID: PMC9757803 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.199024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains in a global pandemic, and no eradicative therapy is currently available. Host T cells have been shown to play a crucial role in the antiviral immune protection and pathology in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients; thus, identifying sufficient T-cell epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 proteome can contribute greatly to the development of T-cell epitope vaccines and the precise evaluation of host SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immunity. This review presents a comprehensive map of T-cell epitopes functionally validated from SARS-CoV-2 antigens, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) supertypes to present these epitopes, and the strategies to screen and identify T-cell epitopes. To the best of our knowledge, a total of 1349 CD8+ T-cell epitopes and 790 CD4+ T-cell epitopes have been defined by functional experiments thus far, but most are presented by approximately twenty common HLA supertypes, such as HLA-A0201, A2402, B0702, DR15, DR7 and DR11 molecules, and 74-80% of the T-cell epitopes are derived from S protein and nonstructural protein. These data provide useful insight into the development of vaccines and specific T-cell detection systems. However, the currently defined T-cell epitope repertoire cannot cover the HLA polymorphism of major populations in an indicated geographic region. More research is needed to depict an overall landscape of T-cell epitopes, which covers the overall SARS-CoV-2 proteome and global patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Jin
- Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China 225002; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China 210009
| | - Xiaotao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China 210009
| | - Chuanlai Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China 210009.
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55
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Wu W, Cheng Y, Zhou H, Sun C, Zhang S. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein: its role in the viral life cycle, structure and functions, and use as a potential target in the development of vaccines and diagnostics. Virol J 2023; 20:6. [PMID: 36627683 PMCID: PMC9831023 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to take a heavy toll on personal health, healthcare systems, and economies around the globe. Scientists are expending tremendous effort to develop diagnostic technologies for detecting positive infections within the shortest possible time, and vaccines and drugs specifically for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 disease. At the same time, emerging novel variants have raised serious concerns about vaccine efficacy. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein plays an important role in the coronavirus life cycle, and participates in various vital activities after virus invasion. It has attracted a large amount of attention for vaccine and drug development. Here, we summarize the latest research of the N protein, including its role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, structure and function, and post-translational modifications in addition to its involvement in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and use as a basis for the development of vaccines and diagnostic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Changzhen Sun
- Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China.
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56
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Mahmoudvand S, Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh H, Jalilian FA, Farzanehpour M, Dorostkar R. Design of a multi-epitope-based vaccine consisted of immunodominant epitopes of structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 using immunoinformatics approach. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2023:10.1002/bab.2431. [PMID: 36577011 PMCID: PMC9880719 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has shown rapid global spread and has resulted in a significant death toll worldwide. In this study, we aimed to design a multi-epitope vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 based on structural proteins S, M, N, and E. We identified B- and T-cell epitopes and then the antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and similarity of predicted epitopes were analyzed. T-cell epitopes were docked with corresponding HLA alleles. Consequently, the selected T- and B-cell epitopes were included in the final construct. All selected epitopes were connected with different linkers and flagellin and pan-HLA DR binding epitopes (PADRE) as an adjuvant were used in the vaccine construct. Furthermore, molecular docking was used to evaluate the complex between the final vaccine construct and two alleles, HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-DRB1*01:01. Finally, codons were optimized for in silico cloning into pET28a(+) vector using SnapGene. The final vaccine construct comprised 11 CTL, HTL, and B-cell epitopes corresponding to 394 amino acid residues. In silico evaluation showed that the designed vaccine might potentially promote an immune response. Further in vivo preclinical and clinical testing is required to determine the safety and efficacy of the designed vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahab Mahmoudvand
- Applied Virology Research CenterBaqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Farid Azizi Jalilian
- Department of Medical VirologyFaculty of MedicineHamadan University of Medical SciencesHamadanIran
| | - Mahdieh Farzanehpour
- Applied Virology Research CenterBaqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Ruhollah Dorostkar
- Applied Virology Research CenterBaqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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57
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Kulabhusan PK, Pishva P, Çapkın E, Tambe P, Yüce M. Aptamer-based Emerging Tools for Viral Biomarker Detection: A Focus on SARS-CoV-2. Curr Med Chem 2023; 30:910-934. [PMID: 35156569 DOI: 10.2174/1568009622666220214101059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Viral infections can cause fatal illnesses to humans as well as animals. Early detection of viruses is therefore crucial to provide effective treatment to patients. Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly given an alarming call to develop rapid and sensitive detection platforms. The viral diagnostic tools need to be fast, affordable, and easy to operate with high sensitivity and specificity equivalent or superior to the currently used diagnostic methods. The present detection methods include direct detection of viral antigens or measuring the response of antibodies to viral infections. However, the sensitivity and quantification of the virus are still a significant challenge. Detection tools employing synthetic binding molecules like aptamers may provide several advantages over the conventional methods that use antibodies in the assay format. Aptamers are highly stable and tailorable molecules and are therefore ideal for detection and chemical sensing applications. This review article discusses various advances made in aptamer-based viral detection platforms, including electrochemical, optical, and colorimetric methods to detect viruses, specifically SARS-Cov-2. Considering the several advantages, aptamers could be game-changing in designing high-throughput biosensors for viruses and other biomedical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabir Kumar Kulabhusan
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Parsa Pishva
- Sabanci University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul, 34956, Turkey
| | - Eda Çapkın
- Sabanci University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul, 34956, Turkey
| | - Prajakta Tambe
- Wellcome-- Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Meral Yüce
- Sabanci University, SUNUM Nanotechnology Research, and Application Centre, Istanbul, 34956, Turkey
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58
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Gao Y, Wang W, Yang Y, Zhao Q, Yang C, Jia X, Liu Y, Zhou M, Zeng W, Huang X, Chiu S, Jin T, Wu X. Developing Next-Generation Protein-Based Vaccines Using High-Affinity Glycan Ligand-Decorated Glyconanoparticles. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204598. [PMID: 36398611 PMCID: PMC9839878 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Major diseases, such as cancer and COVID-19, are frightening global health problems, and sustained action is necessary to develop vaccines. Here, for the first time, ethoxy acetalated dextran nanoparticles (Ace-Dex-NPs) are functionalized with 9-N-(4H-thieno[3,2-c]chromene-2-carbamoyl)-Siaα2-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc (TCC Sia-LacNAc) targeting macrophages as a universal vaccine design platform. First, azide-containing oxidized Ace-Dex-NPs are synthesized. After the NPs are conjugated with ovalbumin (OVA) and resiquimod (Rd), they are coupled to TCC Sia-LacNAc-DBCO to produce TCC Sia-Ace-Dex-OVA-Rd, which induce a potent, long-lasting OVA-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response and high anti-OVA IgG, providing mice with superior protection against tumors. Next, this strategy is exploited to develop vaccines against infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is the main target for neutralizing antibodies. The TCC Sia-Ace-Dex platform is preferentially used for designing an RBD-based vaccine. Strikingly, the synthetic TCC Sia-Ace-Dex-RBD-Rd elicited potent RBD-neutralizing antibodies against live SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 cells. To develop a universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, the TCC Sia-Ace-Dex-N-Rd vaccine carrying SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N) is also prepared, which is highly conserved among SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron (BA.1 to BA.5); this vaccine can trigger strong N-specific CTL responses against target cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Gao
- National Glycoengineering Research CenterShandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and GlycobiologyNMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Carbohydrate‐based MedicineShandong UniversityQingdaoShandong266237China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of VirologyCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesWuhan430071China
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yunru Yang
- Department of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Molecular MedicineDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230001China
| | - Qingyu Zhao
- National Glycoengineering Research CenterShandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and GlycobiologyNMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Carbohydrate‐based MedicineShandong UniversityQingdaoShandong266237China
| | - Chendong Yang
- National Glycoengineering Research CenterShandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and GlycobiologyNMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Carbohydrate‐based MedicineShandong UniversityQingdaoShandong266237China
| | - Xiaoying Jia
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of VirologyCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesWuhan430071China
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of VirologyCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesWuhan430071China
| | - Minmin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of VirologyCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesWuhan430071China
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Weihong Zeng
- Department of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Molecular MedicineDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230001China
| | - Xuefei Huang
- Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical EngineeringInstitute for Quantitative Health Science and EngineeringMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichigan48824United States
| | - Sandra Chiu
- Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230001China
| | - Tengchuan Jin
- Department of Basic Medical SciencesDivision of Molecular MedicineDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230001China
| | - Xuanjun Wu
- National Glycoengineering Research CenterShandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and GlycobiologyNMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Carbohydrate‐based MedicineShandong UniversityQingdaoShandong266237China
- Suzhou Research InstituteShandong UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215123China
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59
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Bhattarai K, Holcik M. Diverse roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins in viral life cycle. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.1044652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the host-virus interactions helps to decipher the viral replication strategies and pathogenesis. Viruses have limited genetic content and rely significantly on their host cell to establish a successful infection. Viruses depend on the host for a broad spectrum of cellular RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) throughout their life cycle. One of the major RBP families is the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) family. hnRNPs are typically localized in the nucleus, where they are forming complexes with pre-mRNAs and contribute to many aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. hnRNPs contain RNA binding motifs and frequently function as RNA chaperones involved in pre-mRNA processing, RNA splicing, and export. Many hnRNPs shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and influence cytoplasmic processes such as mRNA stability, localization, and translation. The interactions between the hnRNPs and viral components are well-known. They are critical for processing viral nucleic acids and proteins and, therefore, impact the success of the viral infection. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms by which hnRNPs interact with and regulate each stage of the viral life cycle, such as replication, splicing, translation, and assembly of virus progeny. In addition, we expand on the role of hnRNPs in the antiviral response and as potential targets for antiviral drug research and development.
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60
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Ahmed JQ, Maulud SQ. Complete Genomic Characterisation and Mutation Patterns of Iraqi SARS-CoV-2 Isolates. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 13:8. [PMID: 36611300 PMCID: PMC9818665 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was performed for molecular characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 strains in Iraq and reveal their variants, lineages, clades, and mutation patterns. A total of 912 Iraqi sequences were retrieved from GISAID, which had been submitted from the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to 26 September 2022, along with 12 samples that were collected during the third and fifth waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Next-generation sequencing was performed using an Illumina MiSeq system, and phylogenetic analysis was performed for all the Iraqi sequences retrieved from GISAID. Three established global platforms GISAID, Nextstrain, and PANGO were used for the classification of isolates into distinct clades, variants, and lineages. Analysis of the isolates of this study showed that all the sequences from the third wave were clustered in the GK clades and the 21J (Delta) clade according to the GISAID and Nextclade systems, while the PANGO system revealed that six sequences were B.1.617.2 and four sequences were of the AY.33 lineage. Furthermore, the latest e wave in the summer of 2022 was due to thpredominance of the BA.5.2 lineage of the 22B (Omicron) clade in Iraq. Our study revealed patterns of circulation and dominance of SARS-CoV-2 clades and their lineages in the subsequent pandemic waves in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jivan Qasim Ahmed
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, Iraq
| | - Sazan Qadir Maulud
- Department of Biology, College of Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil 44001, Iraq
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61
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Morse M, Sefcikova J, Rouzina I, Beuning PJ, Williams M. Structural domains of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein coordinate to compact long nucleic acid substrates. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:290-303. [PMID: 36533523 PMCID: PMC9841419 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein performs several functions including binding, compacting, and packaging the ∼30 kb viral genome into the viral particle. N protein consists of two ordered domains, with the N terminal domain (NTD) primarily associated with RNA binding and the C terminal domain (CTD) primarily associated with dimerization/oligomerization, and three intrinsically disordered regions, an N-arm, a C-tail, and a linker that connects the NTD and CTD. We utilize an optical tweezers system to isolate a long single-stranded nucleic acid substrate to measure directly the binding and packaging function of N protein at a single molecule level in real time. We find that N protein binds the nucleic acid substrate with high affinity before oligomerizing and forming a highly compact structure. By comparing the activities of truncated protein variants missing the NTD, CTD, and/or linker, we attribute specific steps in this process to the structural domains of N protein, with the NTD driving initial binding to the substrate and ensuring high localized protein density that triggers interprotein interactions mediated by the CTD, which forms a compact and stable protein-nucleic acid complex suitable for packaging into the virion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Morse
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jana Sefcikova
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ioulia Rouzina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Penny J Beuning
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark C Williams
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 617 373 5705;
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62
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Nerenz RD, Hubbard JA, Cervinski MA. Review of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen and Antibody Testing in Diagnosis and Community Surveillance. Clin Lab Med 2022; 42:687-704. [PMID: 36368790 PMCID: PMC9651919 DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2022.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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63
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Lima K, Fontoura JC, de Souza PO, Fazolo T, Hilario G, Zorzetto R, Rodrigues Junior LC, Coimbra LD, Borin A, Bispo-dos-Santos K, Granja F, Marques RE, Zavaglia GO, Fernandes IR, Varela FH, Polese-Bonatto M, Tonini ML, Ikeda do Carmo GM, de Almeida WAF, Borges TJ, Nakaya HI, Proenca-Modena JL, Callegari-Jacques SM, Scotta MC, Stein RT, Bonorino C. SARS-CoV-2 infected children form early immune memory responses dominated by nucleocapsid-specific CD8+ T cells and antibodies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1033364. [PMID: 36405692 PMCID: PMC9667737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1033364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This is the third year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and yet most children remain unvaccinated. COVID-19 in children manifests as mostly mild or asymptomatic, however high viral titers and strong cellular and humoral responses are observed upon acute infection. It is still unclear how long these responses persist, and if they can protect from re-infection and/or disease severity. Here, we analyzed immune memory responses in a cohort of children and adults with COVID-19. Important differences between children and adults are evident in kinetics and profile of memory responses. Children develop early N-specific cytotoxic T cell responses, that rapidly expand and dominate their immune memory to the virus. Children's anti-N, but not anti-S, antibody titers increase over time. Neutralization titers correlate with N-specific antibodies and CD8+T cells. However, antibodies generated by infection do not efficiently cross-neutralize variants Gamma or Delta. Our results indicate that mechanisms that protect from disease severity are possibly different from those that protect from reinfection, bringing novel insights for pediatric vaccine design. They also underline the importance of vaccination in children, who remain at risk for COVID-19 despite having been previously infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lima
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Julia C. Fontoura
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Priscila Oliveira de Souza
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tiago Fazolo
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Hilario
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Renata Zorzetto
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luiz C Rodrigues Junior
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lais D. Coimbra
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Borin
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Karina Bispo-dos-Santos
- Laboratory of Emerging Viruses (LEVE), Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Granja
- Laboratory of Emerging Viruses (LEVE), Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), Boa Vista, Brazil
| | - Rafael Elias Marques
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Oliveira Zavaglia
- Social Responsibility – Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (PROADI-SUS ), Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Rodrigues Fernandes
- Social Responsibility – Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (PROADI-SUS ), Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Hammes Varela
- Social Responsibility – Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (PROADI-SUS ), Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcia Polese-Bonatto
- Social Responsibility – Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (PROADI-SUS ), Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Maiko Luís Tonini
- Coordenação-Geral de Vigilância das Doenças de Transmissão Respiratória de Condições Crônicas, Departamento de Doenças de Condições Crônicas e IST, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde – Ministério da Saúde (CGDR/DCCI/SVS/MS)., Brasília, Brazil
| | - Greice Madeleine Ikeda do Carmo
- Departamento de Imunizações e doenças transmissíveis, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde - Ministério da Saúde (DEIDT/SVS/MS), Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago J. Borges
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Helder I. Nakaya
- Computational System Biology Laboratory (CSBL), Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Proenca-Modena
- Laboratory of Emerging Viruses (LEVE), Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
- Hub of Global Health (HGH), University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Comerlato Scotta
- Social Responsibility – Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (PROADI-SUS ), Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul – PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Renato T. Stein
- Social Responsibility – Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (PROADI-SUS ), Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul – PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cristina Bonorino
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre – UFCSPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Surgery, University of California at San Diego – UCSD, La Jolla, CA, United States
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64
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Carlson CR, Adly AN, Bi M, Howard CJ, Frost A, Cheng Y, Morgan DO. Reconstitution of the SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleosome provides insights into genomic RNA packaging and regulation by phosphorylation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102560. [PMID: 36202211 PMCID: PMC9529352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is responsible for compaction of the ∼30-kb RNA genome in the ∼90-nm virion. Previous studies suggest that each virion contains 35 to 40 viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes, or ribonucleosomes, arrayed along the genome. There is, however, little mechanistic understanding of the vRNP complex. Here, we show that N protein, when combined in vitro with short fragments of the viral genome, forms 15-nm particles similar to the vRNP structures observed within virions. These vRNPs depend on regions of N protein that promote protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions. Phosphorylation of N protein in its disordered serine/arginine region weakens these interactions to generate less compact vRNPs. We propose that unmodified N protein binds structurally diverse regions in genomic RNA to form compact vRNPs within the nucleocapsid, while phosphorylation alters vRNP structure to support other N protein functions in viral transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Armin N Adly
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Maxine Bi
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Conor J Howard
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Adam Frost
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yifan Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David O Morgan
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
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65
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Iyengar SM, Barnsley KK, Vu HY, Bongalonta IJA, Herrod AS, Scott JA, Ondrechen MJ. Identification and characterization of alternative sites and molecular probes for SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. Front Chem 2022; 10:1017394. [PMID: 36385993 PMCID: PMC9659918 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1017394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Three protein targets from SARS-CoV-2, the viral pathogen that causes COVID-19, are studied: the main protease, the 2'-O-RNA methyltransferase, and the nucleocapsid (N) protein. For the main protease, the nucleophilicity of the catalytic cysteine C145 is enabled by coupling to three histidine residues, H163 and H164 and catalytic dyad partner H41. These electrostatic couplings enable significant population of the deprotonated state of C145. For the RNA methyltransferase, the catalytic lysine K6968 that serves as a Brønsted base has significant population of its deprotonated state via strong coupling with K6844 and Y6845. For the main protease, Partial Order Optimum Likelihood (POOL) predicts two clusters of biochemically active residues; one includes the catalytic H41 and C145 and neighboring residues. The other surrounds a second pocket adjacent to the catalytic site and includes S1 residues F140, L141, H163, E166, and H172 and also S2 residue D187. This secondary recognition site could serve as an alternative target for the design of molecular probes. From in silico screening of library compounds, ligands with predicted affinity for the secondary site are reported. For the NSP16-NSP10 complex that comprises the RNA methyltransferase, three different sites are predicted. One is the catalytic core at the conserved K-D-K-E motif that includes catalytic residues D6928, K6968, and E7001 plus K6844. The second site surrounds the catalytic core and consists of Y6845, C6849, I6866, H6867, F6868, V6894, D6895, D6897, I6926, S6927, Y6930, and K6935. The third is located at the heterodimer interface. Ligands predicted to have high affinity for the first or second sites are reported. Three sites are also predicted for the nucleocapsid protein. This work uncovers key interactions that contribute to the function of the three viral proteins and also suggests alternative sites for ligand design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Jo Ondrechen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
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66
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O’Donnell KL, Gourdine T, Fletcher P, Clancy CS, Marzi A. Protection from COVID-19 with a VSV-based vaccine expressing the spike and nucleocapsid proteins. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1025500. [PMID: 36353642 PMCID: PMC9638159 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1025500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful vaccine efforts countering the COVID-19 pandemic are centralized around the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein as viral antigen and have greatly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. Since the start of this pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved resulting in new variants of concern (VOC) challenging the vaccine-established immunologic memory. We show that vaccination with a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine expressing the SARS-CoV-2 S plus the conserved nucleocapsid (N) protein was protective in a hamster challenge model when a single dose was administered 28 or 10 days prior to challenge, respectively. In this study, only intranasal vaccination resulted in protection against challenge with multiple VOC highlighting that the addition of the N protein indeed improved protective efficacy. This data demonstrates the ability of a VSV-based dual-antigen vaccine to reduce viral shedding and protect from disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 VOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L. O’Donnell
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Tylisha Gourdine
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Paige Fletcher
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Chad S. Clancy
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Andrea Marzi
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
- *Correspondence: Andrea Marzi,
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67
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Laine L, Skön M, Väisänen E, Julkunen I, Österlund P. SARS-CoV-2 variants Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron show a slower host cell interferon response compared to an early pandemic variant. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1016108. [PMID: 36248817 PMCID: PMC9561549 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1016108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the start of the pandemic at the end of 2019, arising mutations in SARS-CoV-2 have improved its transmission and ability to circumvent the immunity induced by vaccination and previous COVID-19 infection. Studies on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 genomic mutations on replication and innate immunity will give us valuable insight into the evolution of the virus which can aid in further development of vaccines and new treatment modalities. Here we systematically analyzed the kinetics of virus replication, innate immune activation, and host cell antiviral response patterns in Alpha, Beta, Delta, Kappa, Omicron and two early pandemic SARS-CoV-2 variant-infected human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells. We observed overall comparable replication patterns for these variants with modest variations. Particularly, the sublineages of Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and a recombinant sublineage, XJ, all showed attenuated replication in Calu-3 cells compared to Alpha and Delta. Furthermore, there was relatively weak activation of primary innate immune signaling pathways, however, all variants produced enough interferons to induce the activation of STAT2 and production of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). While interferon mRNA expression and STAT2 activation correlated with cellular viral RNA levels, ISG production did not. Although clear cut effects of specific SARS-CoV-2 genomic mutations could not be concluded, the variants of concern, including Omicron, showed a lower replication efficiency and a slower interferon response compared to an early pandemic variant in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Laine
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Larissa Laine,
| | - Marika Skön
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Väisänen
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilkka Julkunen
- Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Pamela Österlund
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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68
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Lucas Garrote B, Lopes LC, Pinzón EF, Mendonça-Natividade FC, Martins RB, Santos A, Arruda E, Bueno PR. Reagentless Quantum-Rate-Based Electrochemical Signal of Graphene for Detecting SARS-CoV-2 Infection Using Nasal Swab Specimens. ACS Sens 2022; 7:2645-2653. [PMID: 36049154 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c01016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The quantum-rate model predicts a rate k as a frequency for transporting electrons within molecular structures, which is governed by the ratio between the quantum of conductance G and capacitance Cq, such that k = G/Cq. This frequency, as measured in a single-layer graphene appropriately modified with suitable biological receptors, can be applied as a transducer signal that ranges sensitivities within the attomole for biosensing applications. Here, we applied this label-free and reagentless biosensing transducer signal methodology for the qualitative diagnosis of COVID-19 infections, where this assay methodology was shown to be similar to the gold-standard real-time polymerase chain reaction. The quantum-rate strategy for the diagnosis of COVID-19 was performed by combining the response of the interface for detecting the S and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus as accessed from nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal patient samples with 80% of sensitivity and 77% of specificity. As a label-free and reagentless biosensing platform, the methodology is decidedly useful for point-of-care and internet-of-things biological assaying technologies, not only because of its real-time ability to measure infections but also because of the capability for miniaturization inherent in reagentless electrochemical methods. This approach effectively permits the rapid development of biological assays for surveillance and control of endemics and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Lucas Garrote
- Department of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, São Paulo 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Laís C Lopes
- Department of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, São Paulo 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Edgar F Pinzón
- Department of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, São Paulo 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Flávia C Mendonça-Natividade
- Department of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, São Paulo 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo B Martins
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Adriano Santos
- Department of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, São Paulo 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Eurico Arruda
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Paulo R Bueno
- Department of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, São Paulo 14800-060, Brazil
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69
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Panda M, Kalita E, Singh S, Kumar K, Rao A, Prajapati VK. MiRNA-SARS-CoV-2 dialogue and prospective anti-COVID-19 therapies. Life Sci 2022; 305:120761. [PMID: 35787998 PMCID: PMC9249409 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a highly transmissible disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), affects 226 countries and continents, and has resulted in >6.2 million deaths worldwide. Despite the efforts of all scientific institutions worldwide to identify potential therapeutics, no specific drug has been approved by the FDA to treat the COVID-19 patient. SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns make the potential of publicly known therapeutics to respond to and detect disease onset highly improbable. The quest for universal therapeutics pointed to the ability of RNA-based molecules to shield and detect the adverse effects of the COVID-19 illness. One such candidate, miRNA (microRNA), works on regulating the differential expression of the target gene post-transcriptionally. The prime focus of this review is to report the critical miRNA molecule and their regular expression in patients with COVID-19 infection and associated comorbidities. Viral and host miRNAs control the etiology of COVID-19 infection throughout the life cycle and host inflammatory response, where host miRNAs are identified as a double-edged showing as a proviral and antiviral response. The review also covered the role of viral miRNAs in mediating host cell signaling expression during disease pathology. Studying molecular interactions between the host and the SARS-CoV-2 virus during COVID-19 pathogenesis offers the chance to use miRNA-based therapeutics to reduce the severity of the illness. By utilizing an appropriate delivery vehicle, these small non-coding RNA could be envisioned as a promising biomarker in designing a practical RNAi-based treatment approach of clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamta Panda
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Elora Kalita
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Satyendra Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ketan Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Abhishek Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India.
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70
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Nazarian S, Olad G, Abdolhamidi R, Motamedi MJ, Kazemi R, Kordbacheh E, Felagari A, Olad H, Ahmadi A, Bahiraee A, Farahani P, Haghighi L, Hassani F, Hajhassan V, Nadi M, Sheikhi A, Salimian J, Amani J. Preclinical study of formulated recombinant nucleocapsid protein, the receptor binding domain of the spike protein, and truncated spike (S1) protein as vaccine candidates against COVID-19 in animal models. Mol Immunol 2022; 149:107-118. [PMID: 35802999 PMCID: PMC9222294 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this pre-clinical study, we designed a candidate vaccine based on severe acute respiratory syndrome-related -coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens and evaluated its safety and immunogenicity. METHODS SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein antigens, including truncated spike protein (SS1, lacking the N-terminal domain of S1), receptor-binding domain (RBD), and nucleoprotein (N) were used. Immunization program was performed via injection of RBD, SS1 +RBD, and SS1 +N along with different adjuvants, Alum, AS03, and Montanide at doses of 0, 40, 80, and 120 μg at three-time points in mice, rabbits, and primates. The humoral and cellular immunity were analyzed by ELISA, VNT, splenocyte cytokine assay, and flow cytometry. RESULTS The candidate vaccine produced strong IgG antibody titers at doses of 80 and 120 μg on days 35 and 42. Even though AS03 and Montanide produced high-titer antibodies compared to Alum adjuvant, these sera did not neutralize the virus. Strong virus neutralization was recorded during immunization with SS1 +RBD and RBD with Alum. AS03 and Montanide showed a strong humoral and cellular immunity; however, Alum showed mild to moderate cellular responses. Ultimately, no cytotoxicity and pathologic change were observed. CONCLUSION These findings strongly suggest that RBD with Alum adjuvant is highly immunogenic as a potential vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Nazarian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Olad
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Raziyeh Abdolhamidi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Emad Kordbacheh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Felagari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Olad
- Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmadi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Bahiraee
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Farahani
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Haghighi
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Hassani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mona Nadi
- Molecular Biology Department, Green Gene Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolkarim Sheikhi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
| | - Jafar Salimian
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Agarwal A, Beck KL, Capponi S, Kunitomi M, Nayar G, Seabolt E, Mahadeshwar G, Bianco S, Mukherjee V, Kaufman JH. Predicting Epitope Candidates for SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:1837. [PMID: 36016459 PMCID: PMC9416013 DOI: 10.3390/v14081837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epitopes are short amino acid sequences that define the antigen signature to which an antibody or T cell receptor binds. In light of the current pandemic, epitope analysis and prediction are paramount to improving serological testing and developing vaccines. In this paper, known epitope sequences from SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and other Coronaviridae were leveraged to identify additional antigen regions in 62K SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Additionally, we present epitope distribution across SARS-CoV-2 genomes, locate the most commonly found epitopes, and discuss where epitopes are located on proteins and how epitopes can be grouped into classes. The mutation density of different protein regions is presented using a big data approach. It was observed that there are 112 B cell and 279 T cell conserved epitopes between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, with more diverse sequences found in Nucleoprotein and Spike glycoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Agarwal
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
| | - Kristen L. Beck
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
| | - Sara Capponi
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
- NSF Center for Cellular Construction, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mark Kunitomi
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
| | - Gowri Nayar
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
| | - Edward Seabolt
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
| | - Gandhar Mahadeshwar
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
| | - Simone Bianco
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
- NSF Center for Cellular Construction, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Vandana Mukherjee
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
| | - James H. Kaufman
- AI and Cognitive Software, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA 95120, USA
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72
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Sanz M, Mann BT, Chitrakar A, Soriano-Sarabia N. Defying convention in the time of COVID-19: Insights into the role of γδ T cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:819574. [PMID: 36032159 PMCID: PMC9403327 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.819574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is a complex disease which immune response can be more or less potent. In severe cases, patients might experience a cytokine storm that compromises their vital functions and impedes clearance of the infection. Gamma delta (γδ) T lymphocytes have a critical role initiating innate immunity and shaping adaptive immune responses, and they are recognized for their contribution to tumor surveillance, fighting infectious diseases, and autoimmunity. γδ T cells exist as both circulating T lymphocytes and as resident cells in different mucosal tissues, including the lungs and their critical role in other respiratory viral infections has been demonstrated. In the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection, γδ T cell responses are understudied. This review summarizes the findings on the antiviral role of γδ T cells in COVID-19, providing insight into how they may contribute to the control of infection in the mild/moderate clinical outcome.
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73
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Hu R, Hotta M, Maruyama T, Fujisawa M, Sou K, Takeoka S. Temperature-Responsive Liposome-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Using Immunoliposomes. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:26936-26944. [PMID: 35915635 PMCID: PMC9328125 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has infected more than 340 million people since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019, resulting in approximately 55 million deaths. The rapid and effective diagnosis of COVID-19 patients is vital to prevent the spread of the disease. In a previous study, we reported a novel temperature-responsive liposome-linked immunosorbent assay (TLip-LISA) using biotinylated-TLip that exhibited high detection sensitivity for the prostate-specific antigen. Herein, we used immunoglobulin-TLip (IgG-TLip), in which the antibodies were directly conjugated to the liposomal surface to simplify pretreatment procedures and reduce the detection time for SARS-CoV-2. The results indicated that TLip-LISA could detect the recombinant nucleocapsid protein and the nucleocapsid protein in inactivated virus with 20 min incubation time in total, and the limit of detection was calculated to be 2.2 and 1.0 pg/mL, respectively. Therefore, TLip-LISA has high potential to be used in clinic for rapid diagnosis and disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runkai Hu
- Department
of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced
Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Morihiro Hotta
- Department
of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced
Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Taro Maruyama
- Department
of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced
Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Mizuki Fujisawa
- Department
of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced
Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Keitaro Sou
- Waseda
Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Shinji Takeoka
- Department
of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced
Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
- Institute
for Advanced Research of Biosystem Dynamics, Waseda Research Institute
for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
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74
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Feng X, Zhang X, Jiang S, Tang Y, Cheng C, Krishna PA, Wang X, Dai J, Zhao D, Xia T, Zeng J. A DNA-based non-infectious replicon system to study SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5193-5202. [PMID: 36059866 PMCID: PMC9424123 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has seriously affected public health around the world. In-depth studies on the pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 is urgently necessary for pandemic prevention. However, most laboratory studies on SARS-CoV-2 have to be carried out in bio-safety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories, greatly restricting the progress of relevant experiments. In this study, we used a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) method to assemble a SARS-CoV-2 replication and transcription system in Vero E6 cells without virion envelope formation, thus avoiding the risk of coronavirus exposure. Furthermore, an improved real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) approach was used to distinguish the replication of full-length replicon RNAs and transcription of subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs). Using the SARS-CoV-2 replicon, we demonstrated that the nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 facilitates the transcription of sgRNAs in the discontinuous synthesis process. Moreover, two high-frequency mutants of N protein, R203K and S194L, can obviously enhance the transcription level of the replicon, hinting that these mutations likely allow SARS-CoV-2 to spread and reproduce more quickly. In addition, remdesivir and chloroquine, two well-known drugs demonstrated to be effective against coronavirus in previous studies, also inhibited the transcription of our replicon, indicating the potential applications of this system in antiviral drug discovery. Overall, we developed a bio-safe and valuable replicon system of SARS-CoV-2 that is useful to study the mechanisms of viral RNA synthesis and has potential in novel antiviral drug screening.
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75
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Holanda VN, Lima EMDA, da Silva WV, Maia RT, Medeiros RDL, Ghosh A, Lima VLDM, de Figueiredo RCBQ. Identification of 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives as potential drugs against COVID-19: a virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamic study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:5462-5480. [PMID: 33459182 PMCID: PMC7832388 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1871073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In this work we aimed to perform an in silico predictive screening, docking and molecular dynamic study to identify 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives as drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2. The in silico prediction of pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of hundred one 1,2,3-triazole-phtalimide derivatives, obtained from SciFinder® library, were investigated. Compounds that did not show good gastrointestinal absorption, violated the Lipinski's rules, proved to be positive for the AMES test, and showed to be hepatotoxic or immunotoxic in our ADMET analysis, were filtered out of our study. The hit compounds were further subjected to molecular docking on SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. The ADMET analysis revealed that 43 derivatives violated the Lipinski's rules and 51 other compounds showed to be positive for the toxicity test. Seven 1,2,3-triazole-phthalimide derivatives (A7, A8, B05, E35, E38, E39, and E40) were selected for molecular docking and MFCC-ab initio analysis. The results of molecular docking pointed the derivative E40 as a promising compound interacting with multiple target proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The complex E40-Mpro was found to have minimum binding energy of -10.26 kcal/mol and a general energy balance, calculated by the quantum mechanical analysis, of -8.63 eV. MD simulation and MMGBSA calculations confirmed that the derivatives E38 and E40 have high binding energies of -63.47 ± 3 and -63.31 ± 7 kcal/mol against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In addition, the derivative E40 exhibited excellent interaction values and inhibitory potential against SAR-Cov-2 main protease and viral nucleocapsid proteins, suggesting this derivative as a potent antiviral for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanderlan Nogueira Holanda
- Laboratório de Lipídios e Aplicação de Biomoléculas em Doenças Prevalentes e Negligenciadas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Elton Marlon de Araújo Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Laboratório de Polímeros Não-Convencionais, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Welson Vicente da Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rafael Trindade Maia
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Semiárido, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Sumé, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | - Arabinda Ghosh
- Microbiology Division, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Vera Lúcia de Menezes Lima
- Laboratório de Lipídios e Aplicação de Biomoléculas em Doenças Prevalentes e Negligenciadas, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Regina Celia Bressan Queiroz de Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Patógenos, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães – IAM/FIOCRUZ-PE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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76
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Kleer M, Mulloy RP, Robinson CA, Evseev D, Bui-Marinos MP, Castle EL, Banerjee A, Mubareka S, Mossman K, Corcoran JA. Human coronaviruses disassemble processing bodies. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010724. [PMID: 35998203 PMCID: PMC9439236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A dysregulated proinflammatory cytokine response is characteristic of severe coronavirus infections caused by SARS-CoV-2, yet our understanding of the underlying mechanism responsible for this imbalanced immune response remains incomplete. Processing bodies (PBs) are cytoplasmic membraneless ribonucleoprotein granules that control innate immune responses by mediating the constitutive decay or suppression of mRNA transcripts, including many that encode proinflammatory cytokines. PB formation promotes turnover or suppression of cytokine RNAs, whereas PB disassembly corresponds with the increased stability and/or translation of these cytokine RNAs. Many viruses cause PB disassembly, an event that can be viewed as a switch that rapidly relieves cytokine RNA repression and permits the infected cell to respond to viral infection. Prior to this submission, no information was known about how human coronaviruses (CoVs) impacted PBs. Here, we show SARS-CoV-2 and the common cold CoVs, OC43 and 229E, induced PB loss. We screened a SARS-CoV-2 gene library and identified that expression of the viral nucleocapsid (N) protein from SARS-CoV-2 was sufficient to mediate PB disassembly. RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed that transcripts encoding TNF and IL-6 localized to PBs in control cells. PB loss correlated with the increased cytoplasmic localization of these transcripts in SARS-CoV-2 N protein-expressing cells. Ectopic expression of the N proteins from five other human coronaviruses (OC43, MERS, 229E, NL63 and SARS-CoV) did not cause significant PB disassembly, suggesting that this feature is unique to SARS-CoV-2 N protein. These data suggest that SARS-CoV-2-mediated PB disassembly contributes to the dysregulation of proinflammatory cytokine production observed during severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariel Kleer
- Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rory P. Mulloy
- Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carolyn-Ann Robinson
- Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Danyel Evseev
- Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maxwell P. Bui-Marinos
- Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Elizabeth L. Castle
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arinjay Banerjee
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo; Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samira Mubareka
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen Mossman
- Department of Medicine, Master University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer A. Corcoran
- Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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77
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Rafael Ciges-Tomas J, Franco ML, Vilar M. Identification of a guanine-specific pocket in the protein N of SARS-CoV-2. Commun Biol 2022; 5:711. [PMID: 35842466 PMCID: PMC9288159 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N) is responsible for RNA binding. Here we report the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain (NCTD) in open and closed conformations and in complex with guanine triphosphate, GTP. The crystal structure and biochemical studies reveal a specific interaction between the guanine, a nucleotide enriched in the packaging signals regions of coronaviruses, and a highly conserved tryptophan residue (W330). In addition, EMSA assays with SARS-CoV-2 derived RNA hairpin loops from a putative viral packaging sequence showed the preference interaction of the N-CTD to RNA oligonucleotides containing G and the loss of the specificity in the mutant W330A. Here we propose that this interaction may facilitate the viral assembly process. In summary, we have identified a specific guanine-binding pocket in the N protein that may be used to design viral assembly inhibitors. The molecular basis of GTP binding to the N protein from SARS-CoV-2 is presented, providing a framework for drug design and disruption of the RNA packing function in the N protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rafael Ciges-Tomas
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-CSIC Spanish National Research Council, C/Jaime Roig, 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain. .,Structural Molecular Biology Group, Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3-B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - María Luisa Franco
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-CSIC Spanish National Research Council, C/Jaime Roig, 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-CSIC Spanish National Research Council, C/Jaime Roig, 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
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78
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Rigo MM, Fasoulis R, Conev A, Hall-Swan S, Antunes DA, Kavraki LE. SARS-Arena: Sequence and Structure-Guided Selection of Conserved Peptides from SARS-related Coronaviruses for Novel Vaccine Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:931155. [PMID: 35903104 PMCID: PMC9315150 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.931155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the agent responsible for the COVID-19 disease, has affected millions of people worldwide. There is constant search for new therapies to either prevent or mitigate the disease. Fortunately, we have observed the successful development of multiple vaccines. Most of them are focused on one viral envelope protein, the spike protein. However, such focused approaches may contribute for the rise of new variants, fueled by the constant selection pressure on envelope proteins, and the widespread dispersion of coronaviruses in nature. Therefore, it is important to examine other proteins, preferentially those that are less susceptible to selection pressure, such as the nucleocapsid (N) protein. Even though the N protein is less accessible to humoral response, peptides from its conserved regions can be presented by class I Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules, eliciting an immune response mediated by T-cells. Given the increased number of protein sequences deposited in biological databases daily and the N protein conservation among viral strains, computational methods can be leveraged to discover potential new targets for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-related viruses. Here we developed SARS-Arena, a user-friendly computational pipeline that can be used by practitioners of different levels of expertise for novel vaccine development. SARS-Arena combines sequence-based methods and structure-based analyses to (i) perform multiple sequence alignment (MSA) of SARS-CoV-related N protein sequences, (ii) recover candidate peptides of different lengths from conserved protein regions, and (iii) model the 3D structure of the conserved peptides in the context of different HLAs. We present two main Jupyter Notebook workflows that can help in the identification of new T-cell targets against SARS-CoV viruses. In fact, in a cross-reactive case study, our workflows identified a conserved N protein peptide (SPRWYFYYL) recognized by CD8+ T-cells in the context of HLA-B7+. SARS-Arena is available at https://github.com/KavrakiLab/SARS-Arena.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Romanos Fasoulis
- Kavraki Lab, Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Anja Conev
- Kavraki Lab, Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sarah Hall-Swan
- Kavraki Lab, Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Dinler Amaral Antunes
- Antunes Lab, Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Lydia E. Kavraki, ; Dinler Amaral Antunes,
| | - Lydia E. Kavraki
- Kavraki Lab, Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Lydia E. Kavraki, ; Dinler Amaral Antunes,
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79
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Wang W, Chen J, Yu X, Lan HY. Signaling mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein in viral infection, cell death and inflammation. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:4704-4713. [PMID: 35874957 PMCID: PMC9305276 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.72663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a worldwide pandemic and a major global public health threat. SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) protein plays a critical role in multiple steps of the viral life cycle and participates in viral replication, transcription, and assembly. The primary roles of N protein are to assemble with genomic RNA into the viral RNA-protein (vRNP) complex and to localize to the replication transcription complexes (RTCs) to enhance viral replication and transcription. N protein can also undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with viral genome RNA and inhibit stress granules to facilitate viral replication and assembly. Besides the function in viral life cycle, N protein can bind GSDMD to antagonize pyroptosis but promotes cell death via the Smad3-dependent G1 cell cycle arrest mechanism. In innate immune system, N protein inhibits IFN-β production and RNAi pathway for virus survival. However, it can induce expression of proinflammatory cytokines by activating NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in cytokine storms. In this review article, we are focusing on the signaling mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 N protein in viral replication, cell death and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbiao Wang
- Medical Research Center and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunity and Genetics of Chronic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junzhe Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Affiliated hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xueqing Yu
- Medical Research Center and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunity and Genetics of Chronic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Guangdong Academy of Sciences/Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Joint Research Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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80
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Parvez MSA, Saha MK, Ibrahim M, Araf Y, Islam MT, Ohtsuki G, Hosen MJ. Insights from a computational analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: Host-pathogen interaction, pathogenicity, and possible drug therapeutics. Immun Inflamm Dis 2022; 10:e639. [PMID: 35759231 PMCID: PMC9210926 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prominently accountable for the upsurge of COVID-19 cases as the world attempts to recover from the previous two waves, Omicron has further threatened the conventional therapeutic approaches. The lack of extensive research regarding Omicron has raised the need to establish correlations to understand this variant by structural comparisons. Here, we evaluate, correlate, and compare its genomic sequences through an immunoinformatic approach to understand its epidemiological characteristics and responses to existing drugs. METHODS We reconstructed the phylogenetic tree and compared the mutational spectrum. We analyzed the mutations that occurred in the Omicron variant and correlated how these mutations affect infectivity and pathogenicity. Then, we studied how mutations in the receptor-binding domain affect its interaction with host factors through molecular docking. Finally, we evaluated the drug efficacy against the main protease of the Omicron through molecular docking and validated the docking results with molecular dynamics simulation. RESULTS Phylogenetic and mutational analysis revealed the Omicron variant is similar to the highly infectious B.1.620 variant, while mutations within the prominent proteins are hypothesized to alter its pathogenicity. Moreover, docking evaluations revealed significant differences in binding affinity with human receptors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and NRP1. Surprisingly, most of the tested drugs were proven to be effective. Nirmatrelvir, 13b, and Lopinavir displayed increased effectiveness against Omicron. CONCLUSION Omicron variant may be originated from the highly infectious B.1.620 variant, while it was less pathogenic due to the mutations in the prominent proteins. Nirmatrelvir, 13b, and Lopinavir would be the most effective, compared to other promising drugs that were proven effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Sorwer Alam Parvez
- Department of Drug Discovery MedicineKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Department of Genetic Engineering & BiotechnologyShahjalal University of Science & TechnologySylhetBangladesh
| | - Manash Kumar Saha
- Department of Genetic Engineering & BiotechnologyShahjalal University of Science & TechnologySylhetBangladesh
| | - Md. Ibrahim
- Department of Genetic Engineering & BiotechnologyShahjalal University of Science & TechnologySylhetBangladesh
| | - Yusha Araf
- Department of Genetic Engineering & BiotechnologyShahjalal University of Science & TechnologySylhetBangladesh
| | - Md. Taufiqul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering & BiotechnologyShahjalal University of Science & TechnologySylhetBangladesh
| | - Gen Ohtsuki
- Department of Drug Discovery MedicineKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Mohammad Jakir Hosen
- Department of Genetic Engineering & BiotechnologyShahjalal University of Science & TechnologySylhetBangladesh
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81
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Leventopoulos M, Michou V, Papadimitropoulos M, Vourva E, Manias NG, Kavvadas HP, Nikolopoulos D, Tsilivakos V, Georgoulias G. Evaluation of the Boson Rapid Ag Test vs RT–PCR for use as a self–testing platform. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 104:115786. [PMID: 35998553 PMCID: PMC9335347 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The gold standard test available for detecting COVID–19 patients is Real Time RT–PCR. However, this method is expensive, needing special equipment and skilled laboratory staff. Recently, less expensive antigen tests have become available, that could easily and rapidly identify new COVID–19 cases. Our objective was to evaluate the Boson Rapid Antigen Test Card versus the RT–rtPCR, using samples taken both by laymen (self–testing) and professionals. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates were, 98.18%, 100.00%, and 99.28%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100.00% and 98.82%, respectively. The detection rate for asymptomatic patients was 90.48%, and detection rate for Ct values ≥30 was 91.67%. Our results indicate a high coincidence rate between the Boson and the referencing RT–rtPCR method, meeting the performance standards recommended by the WHO. Therefore, this test could facilitate a fast self–testing screening method, for the detection of infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vassiliki Michou
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Genetics, Locus Medicus S.A., Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evangelia Vourva
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Genetics, Locus Medicus S.A., Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Vassilis Tsilivakos
- Department of Cellular Biology and Immunology, Locus Medicus S.A., Athens, Greece
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82
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FUBP3 Degrades the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Nucleocapsid Protein and Induces the Production of Type I Interferon. J Virol 2022; 96:e0061822. [PMID: 35695513 PMCID: PMC9278154 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00618-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is the globally distributed alphacoronavirus that can cause lethal watery diarrhea in piglets, causing substantial economic damage. However, the current commercial vaccines cannot effectively the existing diseases. Thus, it is of great necessity to identify the host antiviral factors and the mechanism by which the host immune system responds against PEDV infection required to be explored. The current work demonstrated that the host protein, the far upstream element-binding protein 3 (FUBP3), could be controlled by the transcription factor TCFL5, which could suppress PEDV replication through targeting and degrading the nucleocapsid (N) protein of the virus based on selective autophagy. For the ubiquitination of the N protein, FUBP3 was found to recruit the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH8/MARCHF8, which was then identified, transported to, and degraded in autolysosomes via NDP52/CALCOCO2 (cargo receptors), resulting in impaired viral proliferation. Additionally, FUBP3 was found to positively regulate type-I interferon (IFN-I) signaling and activate the IFN-I signaling pathway by interacting and increasing the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3). Collectively, this study showed a novel mechanism of FUBP3-mediated virus restriction, where FUBP3 was found to degrade the viral N protein and induce IFN-I production, aiming to hinder the replication of PEDV. IMPORTANCE PEDV refers to the alphacoronavirus that is found globally and has re-emerged recently, causing severe financial losses. In PEDV infection, the host activates various host restriction factors to maintain innate antiviral responses to suppress virus replication. Here, FUBP3 was detected as a new host restriction factor. FUBP3 was found to suppress PEDV replication via the degradation of the PEDV-encoded nucleocapsid (N) protein via E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH8 as well as the cargo receptor NDP52/CALCOCO2. Additionally, FUBP3 upregulated the IFN-I signaling pathway by interacting with and increasing tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) expression. This study further demonstrated that another layer of complexity could be added to the selective autophagy and innate immune response against PEDV infection are complicated.
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83
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Feng W, Xiang Y, Wu L, Chen Z, Li Q, Chen J, Guo Y, Xia D, Chen N, Zhang L, Zhu S, Zhao K. Nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a potential target for developing new generation of vaccine. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24479. [PMID: 35527696 PMCID: PMC9169192 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide causing more than 400 million people with virus infections since early 2020. Currently, the existing vaccines targeting the spike glycoprotein (S protein) of SARS-CoV-2 are facing great challenge from the infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus and its multiple S protein variants. Thus, we need to develop a new generation of vaccines to prevent infection of the SARS-CoV-2 variants. Compared with the S protein, the nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of SARS-CoV-2 is more conservative and less mutations, which also plays a vital role in viral infection. Therefore, the N protein may have the great potential for developing new vaccines. METHODS The N protein of SARS-CoV-2 was recombinantly expressed and purified in Escherichia coli. Western Blot and ELISA assays were used to demonstrate the immunoreactivity of the recombinant N protein with the serum of 22 COVID-19 patients. We investigated further the response of the specific serum antibodies and cytokine production in BALB/c mice immunized with recombinant N protein by Western Blot and ELISA. RESULTS The N protein had good immunoreactivity and the production of IgG antibody against N protein in COVID-19 patients was tightly correlated with disease severity. Furthermore, the N protein was used to immunize BALB/c mice to have elicited strong immune responses. Not only high levels of IgG antibody, but also cytokine-IFN-γ were produced in the N protein-immunized mice. Importantly, the N protein immunization induced a high level of IgM antibody produced in the mice. CONCLUSION SARS-CoV-2 N protein shows a great big bundle of potentiality for developing a new generation of vaccines in fighting infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixu Feng
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Yunru Xiang
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Lianpeng Wu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe Sixth People Hospital of WenzhouWenzhouChina
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Qingfeng Li
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Jun Chen
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Yanru Guo
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Dandan Xia
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe Sixth People Hospital of WenzhouWenzhouChina
| | - Na Chen
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThe Sixth People Hospital of WenzhouWenzhouChina
| | - Lifang Zhang
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Shanli Zhu
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Kong‐Nan Zhao
- School of Basic Medical ScienceWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuyin Children Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and NanotechnologyThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
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84
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Johnson BA, Zhou Y, Lokugamage KG, Vu MN, Bopp N, Crocquet-Valdes PA, Kalveram B, Schindewolf C, Liu Y, Scharton D, Plante JA, Xie X, Aguilar P, Weaver SC, Shi PY, Walker DH, Routh AL, Plante KS, Menachery VD. Nucleocapsid mutations in SARS-CoV-2 augment replication and pathogenesis. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010627. [PMID: 35728038 PMCID: PMC9275689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
While SARS-CoV-2 continues to adapt for human infection and transmission, genetic variation outside of the spike gene remains largely unexplored. This study investigates a highly variable region at residues 203-205 in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Recreating a mutation found in the alpha and omicron variants in an early pandemic (WA-1) background, we find that the R203K+G204R mutation is sufficient to enhance replication, fitness, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. The R203K+G204R mutant corresponds with increased viral RNA and protein both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, the R203K+G204R mutation increases nucleocapsid phosphorylation and confers resistance to inhibition of the GSK-3 kinase, providing a molecular basis for increased virus replication. Notably, analogous alanine substitutions at positions 203+204 also increase SARS-CoV-2 replication and augment phosphorylation, suggesting that infection is enhanced through ablation of the ancestral 'RG' motif. Overall, these results demonstrate that variant mutations outside spike are key components in SARS-CoV-2's continued adaptation to human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yiyang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kumari G. Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michelle N. Vu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nathen Bopp
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Craig Schindewolf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dionna Scharton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Patricia Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Andrew L. Routh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kenneth S. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vineet D. Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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85
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Carlson CR, Adly AN, Bi M, Cheng Y, Morgan DO. Reconstitution of the SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleosome provides insights into genomic RNA packaging and regulation by phosphorylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.05.23.493138. [PMID: 35664996 PMCID: PMC9164447 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.23.493138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses is responsible for compaction of the ∼30-kb RNA genome in the ∼100-nm virion. Cryo-electron tomography suggests that each virion contains 35-40 viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes, or ribonucleosomes, arrayed along the genome. There is, however, little mechanistic understanding of the vRNP complex. Here, we show that N protein, when combined with viral RNA fragments in vitro, forms cylindrical 15-nm particles similar to the vRNP structures observed within coronavirus virions. These vRNPs form in the presence of stem-loop-containing RNA and depend on regions of N protein that promote protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions. Phosphorylation of N protein in its disordered serine/arginine (SR) region weakens these interactions and disrupts vRNP assembly. We propose that unmodified N binds stem-loop-rich regions in genomic RNA to form compact vRNP complexes within the nucleocapsid, while phosphorylated N maintains uncompacted viral RNA to promote the protein's transcriptional function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Armin N. Adly
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco CA 94143
| | - Maxine Bi
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco CA 94143
| | - Yifan Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco CA 94143
| | - David O. Morgan
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco CA 94143
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86
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Nishikiori M, den Boon JA, Unchwaniwala N, Ahlquist P. Crowning Touches in Positive-Strand RNA Virus Genome Replication Complex Structure and Function. Annu Rev Virol 2022; 9:193-212. [PMID: 35610038 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-092920-021307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Positive-strand RNA viruses, the largest genetic class of eukaryotic viruses, include coronaviruses and many other established and emerging pathogens. A major target for understanding and controlling these viruses is their genome replication, which occurs in virus-induced membrane vesicles that organize replication steps and protect double-stranded RNA intermediates from innate immune recognition. The structure of these complexes has been greatly illuminated by recent cryo-electron microscope tomography studies with several viruses. One key finding in diverse systems is the organization of crucial viral RNA replication factors in multimeric rings or crowns that among other functions serve as exit channels gating release of progeny genomes to the cytosol for translation and encapsidation. Emerging results suggest that these crowns serve additional important purposes in replication complex assembly, function, and interaction with downstream processes such as encapsidation. The findings provide insights into viral function and evolution and new bases for understanding, controlling, and engineering positive-strand RNA viruses. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 9 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Nishikiori
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; .,Institute for Molecular Virology and McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Johan A den Boon
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; .,Institute for Molecular Virology and McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nuruddin Unchwaniwala
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; .,Institute for Molecular Virology and McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Current affiliation: Assembly Biosciences, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Paul Ahlquist
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; .,Institute for Molecular Virology and McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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87
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Wang Z, Hu N, Zhou Y, Shi N, Shen B, Luo L, Feng J. Structure-guided affinity maturation of a novel human antibody targeting the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8469. [PMID: 35589780 PMCID: PMC9118815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12242-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous mutation of SARS-CoV-2 has presented enormous challenges to global pandemic prevention and control. Recent studies have shown evidence that the genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins is relatively conserved, and their biological functions are being confirmed. There is increasing evidence that the N protein will not only provide a specific diagnostic marker but also become an effective treatment target. In this study, 2G4, which specifically recognizes the N protein, was identified by screening a human phage display library. Based on the computer-guided homology modelling and molecular docking method used, the 3-D structures for the 2G4 scFv fragment (VH-linker-VL structure, with (G4S)3 as the linker peptide in the model), SARS-CoV-2 N protein and its complex were modelled and optimized with a suitable force field. The binding mode and key residues of the 2G4 and N protein interaction were predicted, and three mutant antibodies (named 2G4-M1, 2G4-M2 and 2G4-M3) with higher affinity were designed theoretically. Using directed point mutant technology, the three mutant antibodies were prepared, and their affinity was tested. Their affinity constants of approximately 0.19 nM (2G4-M1), 0.019 nM (2G4-M2) and 0.075 nM (2G4-M3) were at least one order of magnitude lower than that of the parent antibody (3 nM; 2G4, parent antibody), as determined using a biolayer interferometry (BLI) assay. It is expected that high-affinity candidates will be used for diagnosis and even as potential therapeutic drugs for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Naijing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yangyihua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Beifen Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Longlong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiannan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.
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88
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Grellet E, L'Hôte I, Goulet A, Imbert I. Replication of the coronavirus genome: A paradox among positive-strand RNA viruses. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101923. [PMID: 35413290 PMCID: PMC8994683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus (CoV) genomes consist of positive-sense single-stranded RNA and are among the largest viral RNAs known to date (∼30 kb). As a result, CoVs deploy sophisticated mechanisms to replicate these extraordinarily large genomes as well as to transcribe subgenomic messenger RNAs. Since 2003, with the emergence of three highly pathogenic CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2), significant progress has been made in the molecular characterization of the viral proteins and key mechanisms involved in CoV RNA genome replication. For example, to allow for the maintenance and integrity of their large RNA genomes, CoVs have acquired RNA proofreading 3'-5' exoribonuclease activity (in nonstructural protein nsp14). In order to replicate the large genome, the viral-RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp; in nsp12) is supplemented by a processivity factor (made of the viral complex nsp7/nsp8), making it the fastest known RdRp. Lastly, a viral structural protein, the nucleocapsid (N) protein, which is primarily involved in genome encapsidation, is required for efficient viral replication and transcription. Therefore, CoVs are a paradox among positive-strand RNA viruses in the sense that they use both a processivity factor and have proofreading activity reminiscent of DNA organisms in addition to structural proteins that mediate efficient RNA synthesis, commonly used by negative-strand RNA viruses. In this review, we present a historical perspective of these unsuspected discoveries and detail the current knowledge on the core replicative machinery deployed by CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Grellet
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France
| | - India L'Hôte
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France
| | - Adeline Goulet
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Imbert
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France.
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89
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Xiang R, Yu Z, Wang Y, Wang L, Huo S, Li Y, Liang R, Hao Q, Ying T, Gao Y, Yu F, Jiang S. Recent advances in developing small-molecule inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1591-1623. [PMID: 34249607 PMCID: PMC8260826 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused havoc across the entire world. Even though several COVID-19 vaccines are currently in distribution worldwide, with others in the pipeline, treatment modalities lag behind. Accordingly, researchers have been working hard to understand the nature of the virus, its mutant strains, and the pathogenesis of the disease in order to uncover possible drug targets and effective therapeutic agents. As the research continues, we now know the genome structure, epidemiological and clinical features, and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarized the potential therapeutic targets involved in the life cycle of the virus. On the basis of these targets, small-molecule prophylactic and therapeutic agents have been or are being developed for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Xiang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Zhengsen Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Yang Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Research Center of Chinese Jujube, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Shanshan Huo
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Yanbai Li
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Ruiying Liang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Qinghong Hao
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Tianlei Ying
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yaning Gao
- Beijing Pharma and Biotech Center, Beijing 100176, China,Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 54237673, fax: +86 21 54237465 (Shibo Jiang); Tel.: +86 312 7528935, fax: +86 312 7521283 (Fei Yu); Tel.: +86 10 62896868; fax: +86 10 62899978, (Yanning Gao).
| | - Fei Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China,Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 54237673, fax: +86 21 54237465 (Shibo Jiang); Tel.: +86 312 7528935, fax: +86 312 7521283 (Fei Yu); Tel.: +86 10 62896868; fax: +86 10 62899978, (Yanning Gao).
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China,Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 54237673, fax: +86 21 54237465 (Shibo Jiang); Tel.: +86 312 7528935, fax: +86 312 7521283 (Fei Yu); Tel.: +86 10 62896868; fax: +86 10 62899978, (Yanning Gao).
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90
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Solo-Gabriele HM, Kumar S, Abelson S, Penso J, Contreras J, Babler KM, Sharkey ME, Mantero AMA, Lamar WE, Tallon JJ, Kobetz E, Solle NS, Shukla BS, Kenney RJ, Mason CE, Schürer SC, Vidovic D, Williams SL, Grills GS, Jayaweera DT, Mirsaeidi M, Kumar N. COVID-19 Prediction using Genomic Footprint of SARS-CoV-2 in Air, Surface Swab and Wastewater Samples. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.03.14.22272314. [PMID: 35313580 PMCID: PMC8936103 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.14.22272314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Importance Genomic footprints of pathogens shed by infected individuals can be traced in environmental samples. Analysis of these samples can be employed for noninvasive surveillance of infectious diseases. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of environmental surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for predicting COVID-19 cases in a college dormitory. Design Using a prospective experimental design, air, surface swabs, and wastewater samples were collected from a college dormitory from March to May 2021. Students were randomly screened for COVID-19 during the study period. SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples was concentrated with electronegative filtration and quantified using Volcano 2 nd Generation-qPCR. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the associations between time-lagged SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples and clinically diagnosed COVID-19 cases. Setting This study was conducted in a residential dormitory at the University of Miami, Coral Gables campus, FL, USA. The dormitory housed about 500 students. Participants Students from the dormitory were randomly screened, for COVID-19 for 2-3 days / week while entering or exiting the dormitory. Main Outcome Clinically diagnosed COVID-19 cases were of our main interest. We hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 detection in environmental samples was an indicator of the presence of local COVID-19 cases in the dormitory, and SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the environmental samples several days prior to the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 cases. Results SARS-CoV-2 genomic footprints were detected in air, surface swab and wastewater samples on 52 (63.4%), 40 (50.0%) and 57 (68.6%) days, respectively, during the study period. On 19 (24%) of 78 days SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all three sample types. Clinically diagnosed COVID-19 cases were reported on 11 days during the study period and SARS-CoV-2 was also detected two days before the case diagnosis on all 11 (100%), 9 (81.8%) and 8 (72.7%) days in air, surface swab and wastewater samples, respectively. Conclusion Proactive environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogens in a community/public setting has potential to guide targeted measures to contain and/or mitigate infectious disease outbreaks. Key Points Question: How effective is environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in public places for early detection of COVID-19 cases in a community?Findings: All clinically confirmed COVID-19 cases were predicted with the aid of 2 day lagged SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples in a college dormitory. However, the prediction efficiency varied by sample type: best prediction by air samples, followed by wastewater and surface swab samples. SARS-CoV-2 was also detected in these samples even on days without any reported cases of COVID-19, suggesting underreporting of COVID-19 cases.Meaning: SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in environmental samples several days prior to clinical reporting of COVID-19 cases. Thus, proactive environmental surveillance of microbiome in public places can serve as a mean for early detection of location-time specific outbreaks of infectious diseases. It can also be used for underreporting of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena M. Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Shelja Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Samantha Abelson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Johnathon Penso
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Julio Contreras
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Kristina M. Babler
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Mark E. Sharkey
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Alejandro M. A. Mantero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
| | - Walter E. Lamar
- Facilities Safety & Compliance, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - John J. Tallon
- Facilities and Operations, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Erin Kobetz
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Bhavarth S. Shukla
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Richard J. Kenney
- Department of Housing & Residential Life, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College; New York City NY
| | - Stephan C. Schürer
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
- Institute for Data Science & Computing, University of Miami; Coral Gables FL
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Dusica Vidovic
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - Sion L. Williams
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | - George S. Grills
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL
| | | | - Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, College of Medicine-Jacksonville University of Florida, Jacksonville FL
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Miami FL 33136
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91
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Johnson BA, Zhou Y, Lokugamage KG, Vu MN, Bopp N, Crocquet-Valdes PA, Kalveram B, Schindewolf C, Liu Y, Scharton D, Plante JA, Xie X, Aguilar P, Weaver SC, Shi PY, Walker DH, Routh AL, Plante KS, Menachery VD. Nucleocapsid mutations in SARS-CoV-2 augment replication and pathogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2021.10.14.464390. [PMID: 34671771 PMCID: PMC8528077 DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.14.464390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
While SARS-CoV-2 continues to adapt for human infection and transmission, genetic variation outside of the spike gene remains largely unexplored. This study investigates a highly variable region at residues 203-205 in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Recreating a mutation found in the alpha and omicron variants in an early pandemic (WA-1) background, we find that the R203K+G204R mutation is sufficient to enhance replication, fitness, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. The R203K+G204R mutant corresponds with increased viral RNA and protein both in vitro and in vivo . Importantly, the R203K+G204R mutation increases nucleocapsid phosphorylation and confers resistance to inhibition of the GSK-3 kinase, providing a molecular basis for increased virus replication. Notably, analogous alanine substitutions at positions 203+204 also increase SARS-CoV-2 replication and augment phosphorylation, suggesting that infection is enhanced through ablation of the ancestral 'RG' motif. Overall, these results demonstrate that variant mutations outside spike are key components in SARS-CoV-2's continued adaptation to human infection. AUTHOR SUMMARY Since its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 has continued to adapt for human infection resulting in the emergence of variants with unique genetic profiles. Most studies of genetic variation have focused on spike, the target of currently available vaccines, leaving the importance of variation elsewhere understudied. Here, we characterize a highly variable motif at residues 203-205 in nucleocapsid. Recreating the prominent nucleocapsid R203K+G204R mutation in an early pandemic background, we show that this mutation is alone sufficient to enhance SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis. We also link augmentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection by the R203K+G204R mutation to its modulation of nucleocapsid phosphorylation. Finally, we characterize an analogous alanine double substitution at positions 203-204. This mutant was found to mimic R203K+G204R, suggesting augmentation of infection occurs by disrupting the ancestral sequence. Together, our findings illustrate that mutations outside of spike are key components of SARS-CoV-2's adaptation to human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yiyang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kumari G. Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michelle N. Vu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nathen Bopp
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Craig Schindewolf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dionna Scharton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Patricia Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Andrew L. Routh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kenneth S. Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- World Reference Center of Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vineet D. Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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92
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Agwa SHA, Elghazaly H, El Meteini MS, Yahia YA, Khaled R, Abd Elsamee AM, Darwish RM, Elsayed SM, Hafez H, Mahmoud BS, Em F, Matboli M. Identifying SARS-CoV-2 Lineage Mutation Hallmarks and Correlating Them With Clinical Outcomes in Egypt: A Pilot Study. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:817735. [PMID: 35350713 PMCID: PMC8958014 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.817735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to over 4.9 million deaths as of October 2021. One of the main challenges of creating vaccines, treatment, or diagnostic tools for the virus is its mutations and emerging variants. A couple of variants were declared as more virulent and infectious than others. Some approaches were used as nomenclature for SARS-CoV-2 variants and lineages. One of the most used is the Pangolin nomenclature. In our study, we enrolled 35 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients and sequenced the viral RNA in their samples. We also aimed to highlight the hallmark mutations in the most frequent lineage. We identified a seven-mutation signature for the SARS-CoV-2 C36 lineage, detected in 56 countries and an emerging lineage in Egypt. In addition, we identified one mutation which was highly negatively correlated with the lineage. On the other hand, we found no significant correlation between our clinical outcomes and the C36 lineage. In conclusion, the C36 lineage is an emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant that needs more investigation regarding its clinical outcomes compared to other strains. Our study paves the way for easier diagnosis of variants of concern using mutation signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara H A Agwa
- Clinical Pathology and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hesham Elghazaly
- Oncology Department, Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Shawky El Meteini
- Department of General Surgery, The School of Medicine, University of Ain Shams, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yahia A Yahia
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Radwa Khaled
- Biotechnology/Biomolecular Chemistry Program, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Modern University for Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aya M Abd Elsamee
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham M Darwish
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa M Elsayed
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genomics Unit of Medical Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI), Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala Hafez
- Clinical Pathology Department, Infection Control Unit, University of Ain Shams, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Basma S Mahmoud
- Clinical Pathology Department, Infection Control Unit, University of Ain Shams, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fouda Em
- Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Matboli
- Medicinal Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ain Shams, Cairo, Egypt
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93
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Phuna ZX, Panda BP, Hawala Shivashekaregowda NK, Madhavan P. Nanoprotection from SARS-COV-2: would nanotechnology help in Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to control the transmission of COVID-19? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022:1-30. [PMID: 35253535 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2046710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a worldwide outbreak. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus can be transmitted human-to-human through droplets and close contact where personal protective equipment (PPE) is imperative to protect the individuals. The advancement of nanotechnology with significant nanosized properties can confer a higher form of protection. Incorporation of nanotechnology into facemasks can exhibit antiviral properties. Nanocoating on surfaces can achieve self-disinfecting purposes and be applied in highly populated places. Moreover, nano-based hand sanitizers can confer better sterilizing efficacies with low skin irritation as compared to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The present review discusses the incorporation of nanotechnology into nano-based materials and coatings in facemasks, self-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers, in the hope to contribute to the current understanding of PPE to combat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xin Phuna
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Bibhu Prasad Panda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Schoolof Pharmacy, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | | | - Priya Madhavan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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94
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Chen WY, Lin H, Barui AK, Gomez AMU, Wendt MK, Stanciu LA. DNA-Functionalized Ti 3C 2T x MXenes for Selective and Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Gene. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS 2022; 5:1902-1910. [PMID: 37556277 PMCID: PMC8751632 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c03520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging human infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2, initially called novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV) virus. Thus, an accurate and specific diagnosis of COVID-19 is urgently needed for effective point-of-care detection and disease management. The reported promise of two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides (Ti3C2Tx MXene) for biosensing owing to a very high surface area, high electrical conductivity, and hydrophilicity informed their selection for inclusion in functional electrodes for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Here, we demonstrate a new and facile functionalization strategy for Ti3C2Tx with probe DNA molecules through noncovalent adsorption, which eliminates expensive labeling steps and achieves sequence-specific recognition. The 2D Ti3C2Tx functionalized with complementary DNA probes shows a sensitive and selective detection of nucleocapsid (N) gene from SARS-CoV-2 through nucleic acid hybridization and chemoresistive transduction. The fabricated sensors are able to detect the SARS-CoV-2 N gene with sensitive and rapid response, a detection limit below 105 copies/mL in saliva, and high specificity when tested against SARS-CoV-1 and MERS. We hypothesize that the MXenes' interlayer spacing can serve as molecular sieving channels for hosting organic molecules and ions, which is a key advantage to their use in biomolecular sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston Yenyu Chen
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United
States
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 United
States
| | - Hang Lin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular
Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
United States
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 United
States
| | - Amit Kumar Barui
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United
States
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 United
States
| | - Ana Maria Ulloa Gomez
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United
States
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 United
States
| | - Michael K. Wendt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular
Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
United States
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 United
States
| | - Lia A. Stanciu
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United
States
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 United
States
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95
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Grootemaat AE, van der Niet S, Scholl ER, Roos E, Schurink B, Bugiani M, Miller SE, Larsen P, Pankras J, Reits EA, van der Wel NN. Lipid and Nucleocapsid N-Protein Accumulation in COVID-19 Patient Lung and Infected Cells. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0127121. [PMID: 35171025 PMCID: PMC8849100 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01271-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global outbreak and prompted an enormous research effort. Still, the subcellular localization of the coronavirus in lungs of COVID-19 patients is not well understood. Here, the localization of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins is studied in postmortem lung material of COVID-19 patients and in SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero cells, processed identically. Correlative light and electron microscopy on semithick cryo-sections demonstrated induction of electron-lucent, lipid-filled compartments after SARS-CoV-2 infection in both lung and cell cultures. In lung tissue, the nonstructural protein 4 and the stable nucleocapsid N-protein were detected on these novel lipid-filled compartments. The induction of such lipid-filled compartments and the localization of the viral proteins in lung of patients with fatal COVID-19 may explain the extensive inflammatory response and provide a new hallmark for SARS-CoV-2 infection at the final, fatal stage of infection. IMPORTANCE Visualization of the subcellular localization of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in lung patient material of COVID-19 patients is important for the understanding of this new virus. We detected viral proteins in the context of the ultrastructure of infected cells and tissues and discovered that some viral proteins accumulate in novel, lipid-filled compartments. These structures are induced in Vero cells but, more importantly, also in lung of patients with COVID-19. We have characterized these lipid-filled compartments and determined that this is a novel, virus-induced structure. Immunogold labeling demonstrated that cellular markers, such as CD63 and lipid droplet marker PLIN-2, are absent. Colocalization of lipid-filled compartments with the stable N-protein and nonstructural protein 4 in lung of the last stages of COVID-19 indicates that these compartments play a key role in the devastating immune response that SARS-CoV-2 infections provoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita E. Grootemaat
- Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne van der Niet
- Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Edwin R. Scholl
- Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eva Roos
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bernadette Schurink
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sara E. Miller
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Per Larsen
- Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeannette Pankras
- Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric A. Reits
- Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole N. van der Wel
- Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam, Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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96
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Zhang GQ, Gao Z, Zhang J, Ou H, Gao H, Kwok RTK, Ding D, Tang BZ. A wearable AIEgen-based lateral flow test strip for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein and N protein. CELL REPORTS. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 2022; 3:100740. [PMID: 35072123 PMCID: PMC8761541 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2022.100740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Accurate and rapid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is significant for early tracing, isolation, and treatment of infected individuals, which will efficiently prevent large-scale transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, two kinds of test strips for receptor binding domain (RBD) and N antigens of SARS-CoV-2 are established with high sensitivity and specificity, in which AIE luminogens (AIEgens) are utilized as reporters. Because of the high brightness and resistance to quenching in aqueous solution, the limit of detection can be as low as 6.9 ng/mL for RBD protein and 7.2 ng/mL for N protein. As an antigen collector, an N95 mask equipped with a test strip with an excellent enrichment effect would efficiently simplify the sampling procedures. Compared with a test strip based on Au nanoparticles or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), the AIEgen-based test strip shows high anti-interference capacity in complex biosamples. Therefore, an AIEgen-based test strip assay could be built as a promising platform for emergency use during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qiang Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhiyuan Gao
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jingtian Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hanlin Ou
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Heqi Gao
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ryan T K Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Institute for Advanced Study, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dan Ding
- Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- Shenzhen Institute of Molecular Aggregate Science and Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 2001 Longxiang Boulevard, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, China
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97
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da Silva Torres MK, Bichara CDA, de Almeida MDNDS, Vallinoto MC, Queiroz MAF, Vallinoto IMVC, dos Santos EJM, de Carvalho CAM, Vallinoto ACR. The Complexity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:789882. [PMID: 35222327 PMCID: PMC8870622 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.789882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to the death of millions of people worldwide and thousands more infected individuals developed sequelae due to the disease of the new coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19). The development of several studies has contributed to the knowledge about the evolution of SARS-CoV2 infection and the disease to more severe forms. Despite this information being debated in the scientific literature, many mechanisms still need to be better understood in order to control the spread of the virus and treat clinical cases of COVID-19. In this article, we carried out an extensive literature review in order to bring together, in a single article, the biological, social, genetic, diagnostic, therapeutic, immunization, and even socioeconomic aspects that impact the SAR-CoV-2 pandemic. This information gathered in this article will enable a broad and consistent reading of the main aspects related to the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Karoliny da Silva Torres
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Carlos David Araújo Bichara
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Maria de Nazaré do Socorro de Almeida
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Laboratory of Complex Diseases, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Mariana Cayres Vallinoto
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- University Center of the State of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo José Melo dos Santos
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Laboratory of Complex Diseases, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Antonio Carlos R. Vallinoto
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
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98
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Gray-Rodriguez S, Jensen MP, Otero-Jimenez M, Hanley B, Swann OC, Ward PA, Salguero FJ, Querido N, Farkas I, Velentza-Almpani E, Weir J, Barclay WS, Carroll MW, Jaunmuktane Z, Brandner S, Pohl U, Allinson K, Thom M, Troakes C, Al-Sarraj S, Sastre M, Gveric D, Gentleman S, Roufosse C, Osborn M, Alegre-Abarrategui J. Multisystem screening reveals SARS-CoV-2 in neurons of the myenteric plexus and in megakaryocytes. J Pathol 2022; 257:198-217. [PMID: 35107828 PMCID: PMC9325073 DOI: 10.1002/path.5878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
SARS‐CoV‐2, the causative agent of COVID‐19, typically manifests as a respiratory illness, although extrapulmonary involvement, such as in the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system, as well as frequent thrombotic events, are increasingly recognised. How this maps onto SARS‐CoV‐2 organ tropism at the histological level, however, remains unclear. Here, we perform a comprehensive validation of a monoclonal antibody against the SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein (NP) followed by systematic multisystem organ immunohistochemistry analysis of the viral cellular tropism in tissue from 36 patients, 16 postmortem cases and 16 biopsies with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 status from the peaks of the pandemic in 2020 and four pre‐COVID postmortem controls. SARS‐CoV‐2 anti‐NP staining in the postmortem cases revealed broad multiorgan involvement of the respiratory, digestive, haematopoietic, genitourinary and nervous systems, with a typical pattern of staining characterised by punctate paranuclear and apical cytoplasmic labelling. The average time from symptom onset to time of death was shorter in positively versus negatively stained postmortem cases (mean = 10.3 days versus mean = 20.3 days, p = 0.0416, with no cases showing definitive staining if the interval exceeded 15 days). One striking finding was the widespread presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 NP in neurons of the myenteric plexus, a site of high ACE2 expression, the entry receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2, and one of the earliest affected cells in Parkinson's disease. In the bone marrow, we observed viral SARS‐CoV‐2 NP within megakaryocytes, key cells in platelet production and thrombus formation. In 15 tracheal biopsies performed in patients requiring ventilation, there was a near complete concordance between immunohistochemistry and PCR swab results. Going forward, our findings have relevance to correlating clinical symptoms with the organ tropism of SARS‐CoV‐2 in contemporary cases as well as providing insights into potential long‐term complications of COVID‐19. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Gray-Rodriguez
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Melanie P Jensen
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Northwest London Pathology, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Maria Otero-Jimenez
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Brian Hanley
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Northwest London Pathology, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, London, UK.,Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Olivia C Swann
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Patrick A Ward
- Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Francisco J Salguero
- National Infection Service, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - Nadira Querido
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ildiko Farkas
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Justin Weir
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Northwest London Pathology, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Wendy S Barclay
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Miles W Carroll
- National Infection Service, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.,Pandemic Sciences Centre, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Zane Jaunmuktane
- Department of Neuropathology, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- Department of Neuropathology, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ute Pohl
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham/University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Kieren Allinson
- Department of Neuropathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Thom
- Department of Neuropathology, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Claire Troakes
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Safa Al-Sarraj
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Magdalena Sastre
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Djordje Gveric
- Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Tissue Bank, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Steve Gentleman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK.,Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Tissue Bank, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Candice Roufosse
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Northwest London Pathology, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, London, UK.,Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Michael Osborn
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Northwest London Pathology, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Javier Alegre-Abarrategui
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK.,Department of Cellular Pathology, Northwest London Pathology, Charing Cross Hospital Campus, London, UK.,Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Tissue Bank, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
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99
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Mim F, Reza MS, Rahman Khan MJ, Karim N, Rahman MA, Hossain MI, Biswas R. Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity of Three Commercial Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Kits for Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh. Cureus 2022; 13:e20627. [PMID: 35103197 PMCID: PMC8783119 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has manifested into an unprecedented public health crisis. The rapid spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has facilitated reagent developers to customize and receive authorization for nucleic acid testing kits in a short period, which would have resulted in some shortcomings in the quality parameters of the kits. Consequently, in-house clinical validations of innovative real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) kits are required. This research aims to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of various RT-qPCR kits available in Bangladesh. Methodology A total of 150 samples were obtained from patients with suspected COVID-19 infection when the delta variant was predominant, followed by RNA extraction performed using a nucleic acid isolation kit. Subsequently, three commercially available PCR kits named Sansure (China), STAT-NATⒷ (Sentinel Diagnostics, Italy), and Roche Biochem (Switzerland) were applied to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results The results showed that the STAT-NATⒷ kit is more sensitive than the other two, as indicated by the cycle threshold (Ct) values of respective genes. STAT-NATⒷ RT-qPCR can detect the ORF1ab gene sensitively (p < 0.001) compared to Sansure. STAT-NATⒷ was also capable of detecting E and RdRp genes more sensitively (p < 0.001) compared to Roche. Regarding specificity, STAT-NATⒷ (95% confidence interval [Cl] = 92.29-99.73%). RT-qPCR showed more accuracy than Sansure (95% Cl = 90.77-99.32%) and Roche (95% Cl = 81.17-94.38%). The area under the curve for E, ORF1ab, and RdRp genes of the STAT NATⒷ PCR kit was 0.952, 0.959, and 0.981, respectively. Conclusions This study concluded that STAT-NATⒷ is a better diagnostic RT-qPCR kit compared to Sansure and Roche for detecting SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Mim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Md Selim Reza
- RT-PCR Lab, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College, Faridpur, BGD
| | | | - Nurul Karim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Mohammad A Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Md Ibrahim Hossain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Rajib Biswas
- Infectious Diseases Unit, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Dhaka, BGD
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100
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Ahmad MA, Olule LJA, Meetani M, Sheikh FA, Blooshi RA, Panicker NG, Mustafa F, Rizvi TA. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Patient Nasal Swab Samples Using Signal Processing. IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN SIGNAL PROCESSING 2022; 16:164-174. [PMID: 35582704 PMCID: PMC9088791 DOI: 10.1109/jstsp.2021.3134073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
This work presents an opto-electrical method that measures the viral nucleocapsid protein and anti-N antibody interactions to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 negative and positive nasal swab samples. Upon light exposure of the patient nasal swab sample mixed with the anti-N antibody, charge transfer (CT) transitions within the altered protein folds are initiated between the charged amino acids side chain moieties and the peptide backbone that play the role of donor and acceptor groups. A Figure of Merit (FOM) was introduced to correlate the relative variations of the samples with and without antibody at two different voltages. Empirically, SARS-CoV-2 in patient nasal swab samples was detected within two minutes, if an extracted FOM threshold of >1 was achieved; otherwise, the sample wasconsidered negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Al Ahmad
- Department of Electrical EngineeringUAE UniversityAl Ain15551UAE
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS)UAE UniversityAl Ain15551UAE
| | | | | | | | | | - Neena G. Panicker
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyCMHS UAE UniversityAl Ain17666UAE
| | - Farah Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCMHS UAE UniversityAl Ain17666UAE
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS)UAE UniversityAl Ain15551UAE
| | - Tahir A. Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyCMHS UAE UniversityAl Ain17666UAE
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS)UAE UniversityAl Ain15551UAE
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