1
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Ding M, Xu W, Pei G, Li P. Long way up: rethink diseases in light of phase separation and phase transition. Protein Cell 2024; 15:475-492. [PMID: 38069453 PMCID: PMC11214837 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensation, driven by multivalency, serves as a fundamental mechanism within cells, facilitating the formation of distinct compartments, including membraneless organelles that play essential roles in various cellular processes. Perturbations in the delicate equilibrium of condensation, whether resulting in gain or loss of phase separation, have robustly been associated with cellular dysfunction and physiological disorders. As ongoing research endeavors wholeheartedly embrace this newly acknowledged principle, a transformative shift is occurring in our comprehension of disease. Consequently, significant strides have been made in unraveling the profound relevance and potential causal connections between abnormal phase separation and various diseases. This comprehensive review presents compelling recent evidence that highlight the intricate associations between aberrant phase separation and neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and infectious diseases. Additionally, we provide a succinct summary of current efforts and propose innovative solutions for the development of potential therapeutics to combat the pathological consequences attributed to aberrant phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
- NuPhase Therapeutics, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Weifan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
- NuPhase Therapeutics, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Gaofeng Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Pilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
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2
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Stuwe H, Reardon PN, Yu Z, Shah S, Hughes K, Barbar EJ. Phosphorylation in the Ser/Arg-rich region of the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 regulates phase separation by inhibiting self-association of a distant helix. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107354. [PMID: 38718862 PMCID: PMC11180338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid protein (N) of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for virus replication, genome packaging, evading host immunity, and virus maturation. N is a multidomain protein composed of an independently folded monomeric N-terminal domain that is the primary site for RNA binding and a dimeric C-terminal domain that is essential for efficient phase separation and condensate formation with RNA. The domains are separated by a disordered Ser/Arg-rich region preceding a self-associating Leu-rich helix. Phosphorylation in the Ser/Arg region in infected cells decreases the viscosity of N:RNA condensates promoting viral replication and host immune evasion. The molecular level effect of phosphorylation, however, is missing from our current understanding. Using NMR spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation, we show that phosphorylation destabilizes the self-associating Leu-rich helix 30 amino-acids distant from the phosphorylation site. NMR and gel shift assays demonstrate that RNA binding by the linker is dampened by phosphorylation, whereas RNA binding to the full-length protein is not significantly affected presumably due to retained strong interactions with the primary RNA-binding domain. Introducing a switchable self-associating domain to replace the Leu-rich helix confirms the importance of linker self-association to droplet formation and suggests that phosphorylation not only increases solubility of the positively charged elongated Ser/Arg region as observed in other RNA-binding proteins but can also inhibit self-association of the Leu-rich helix. These data highlight the effect of phosphorylation both at local sites and at a distant self-associating hydrophobic helix in regulating liquid-liquid phase separation of the entire protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stuwe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Sahana Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Elisar J Barbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
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3
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Shang Z, Zhang S, Wang J, Zhou L, Zhang X, Billadeau DD, Yang P, Zhang L, Zhou F, Bai P, Jia D. TRIM25 predominately associates with anti-viral stress granules. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4127. [PMID: 38750080 PMCID: PMC11096359 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48596-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are induced by various environmental stressors, resulting in their compositional and functional heterogeneity. SGs play a crucial role in the antiviral process, owing to their potent translational repressive effects and ability to trigger signal transduction; however, it is poorly understood how these antiviral SGs differ from SGs induced by other environmental stressors. Here we identify that TRIM25, a known driver of the ubiquitination-dependent antiviral innate immune response, is a potent and critical marker of the antiviral SGs. TRIM25 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and co-condenses with the SG core protein G3BP1 in a dsRNA-dependent manner. The co-condensation of TRIM25 and G3BP1 results in a significant enhancement of TRIM25's ubiquitination activity towards multiple antiviral proteins, which are mainly located in SGs. This co-condensation is critical in activating the RIG-I signaling pathway, thus restraining RNA virus infection. Our studies provide a conceptual framework for better understanding the heterogeneity of stress granule components and their response to distinct environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Shang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Sitao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jinrui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lili Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Daniel D Billadeau
- Division of Oncology Research and Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Peiguo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, 310030, China
| | - Lingqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, 100850, Beijing, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Peng Bai
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Da Jia
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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4
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Li J, Zhang Y, Gu J, Zhou Y, Liu J, Cui H, Zhao T, Jin Z. Stress Granule Core Protein-Derived Peptides Inhibit Assembly of Stress Granules and Improve Sorafenib Sensitivity in Cancer Cells. Molecules 2024; 29:2134. [PMID: 38731625 PMCID: PMC11085366 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Upon a variety of environmental stresses, eukaryotic cells usually recruit translational stalled mRNAs and RNA-binding proteins to form cytoplasmic condensates known as stress granules (SGs), which minimize stress-induced damage and promote stress adaptation and cell survival. SGs are hijacked by cancer cells to promote cell survival and are consequently involved in the development of anticancer drug resistance. However, the design and application of chemical compounds targeting SGs to improve anticancer drug efficacy have rarely been studied. Here, we developed two types of SG inhibitory peptides (SIPs) derived from SG core proteins Caprin1 and USP10 and fused with cell-penetrating peptides to generate TAT-SIP-C1/2 and SIP-U1-Antp, respectively. We obtained 11 SG-inducing anticancer compounds from cell-based screens and explored the potential application of SIPs in overcoming resistance to the SG-inducing anticancer drug sorafenib. We found that SIPs increased the sensitivity of HeLa cells to sorafenib via the disruption of SGs. Therefore, anticancer drugs which are competent to induce SGs could be combined with SIPs to sensitize cancer cells, which might provide a novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate anticancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Yaobin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Jinxuan Gu
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Yulin Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Jie Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Haiyan Cui
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Tiejun Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - Zhigang Jin
- College of Life Sciences, Office of Student Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua 321004, China
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5
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Fang M, Liu Y, Huang C, Fan S. Targeting stress granules in neurodegenerative diseases: A focus on biological function and dynamics disorders. Biofactors 2024; 50:422-438. [PMID: 37966813 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are membraneless organelles formed by eukaryotic cells in response to stress to promote cell survival through their pleiotropic cytoprotective effects. SGs recruit a variety of components to enhance their physiological function, and play a critical role in the propagation of pathological proteins, a key factor in neurodegeneration. Recent advances indicate that SG dynamic disorders exacerbate neuronal susceptibility to stress in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Huntington's disease (HD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we outline the biological functions of SGs, highlight SG dynamic disorders in NDs, and emphasize therapeutic approaches for enhancing SG dynamics to provide new insights into ND intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglv Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengjie Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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6
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Laughlin PM, Young K, Gonzalez-Gutierrez G, Wang JC, Zlotnick A. A narrow ratio of nucleic acid to SARS-CoV-2 N-protein enables phase separation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.10.588883. [PMID: 38645044 PMCID: PMC11030382 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein (N) is a viral structural protein that packages the 30kb genomic RNA inside virions and forms condensates within infected cells through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). N, in both soluble and condensed forms, has accessory roles in the viral life cycle including genome replication and immunosuppression. The ability to perform these tasks depends on phase separation and its reversibility. The conditions that stabilize and destabilize N condensates and the role of N-N interactions are poorly understood. We have investigated LLPS formation and dissolution in a minimalist system comprised of N protein and an ssDNA oligomer just long enough to support assembly. The short oligo allows us to focus on the role of N-N interaction. We have developed a sensitive FRET assay to interrogate LLPS assembly reactions from the perspective of the oligonucleotide. We find that N alone can form oligomers but that oligonucleotide enables their assembly into a three-dimensional phase. At a ~1:1 ratio of N to oligonucleotide LLPS formation is maximal. We find that a modest excess of N or of nucleic acid causes the LLPS to break down catastrophically. Under the conditions examined here assembly has a critical concentration of about 1 μM. The responsiveness of N condensates to their environment may have biological consequences. A better understanding of how nucleic acid modulates N-N association will shed light on condensate activity and could inform antiviral strategies targeting LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Young
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University
| | | | - Joseph C.Y. Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University
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7
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Steiner S, Kratzel A, Barut GT, Lang RM, Aguiar Moreira E, Thomann L, Kelly JN, Thiel V. SARS-CoV-2 biology and host interactions. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:206-225. [PMID: 38225365 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-01003-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The zoonotic emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the ensuing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have profoundly affected our society. The rapid spread and continuous evolution of new SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to threaten global public health. Recent scientific advances have dissected many of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in coronavirus infections, and large-scale screens have uncovered novel host-cell factors that are vitally important for the virus life cycle. In this Review, we provide an updated summary of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, gene function and virus-host interactions, including recent landmark findings on general aspects of coronavirus biology and newly discovered host factors necessary for virus replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Steiner
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annika Kratzel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - G Tuba Barut
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Reto M Lang
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Etori Aguiar Moreira
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Thomann
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jenna N Kelly
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Bern and Mittelhäusern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany.
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8
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Yang Z, Johnson BA, Meliopoulos VA, Ju X, Zhang P, Hughes MP, Wu J, Koreski KP, Clary JE, Chang TC, Wu G, Hixon J, Duffner J, Wong K, Lemieux R, Lokugamage KG, Alvarado RE, Crocquet-Valdes PA, Walker DH, Plante KS, Plante JA, Weaver SC, Kim HJ, Meyers R, Schultz-Cherry S, Ding Q, Menachery VD, Taylor JP. Interaction between host G3BP and viral nucleocapsid protein regulates SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenicity. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113965. [PMID: 38492217 PMCID: PMC11044841 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
G3BP1/2 are paralogous proteins that promote stress granule formation in response to cellular stresses, including viral infection. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) inhibits stress granule assembly and interacts with G3BP1/2 via an ITFG motif, including residue F17, in the N protein. Prior studies examining the impact of the G3PB1-N interaction on SARS-CoV-2 replication have produced inconsistent findings, and the role of this interaction in pathogenesis is unknown. Here, we use structural and biochemical analyses to define the residues required for G3BP1-N interaction and structure-guided mutagenesis to selectively disrupt this interaction. We find that N-F17A mutation causes highly specific loss of interaction with G3BP1/2. SARS-CoV-2 N-F17A fails to inhibit stress granule assembly in cells, has decreased viral replication, and causes decreased pathology in vivo. Further mechanistic studies indicate that the N-F17-mediated G3BP1-N interaction promotes infection by limiting sequestration of viral genomic RNA (gRNA) into stress granules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zemin Yang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bryan A Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Victoria A Meliopoulos
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiaohui Ju
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael P Hughes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jinjun Wu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kaitlin P Koreski
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jemma E Clary
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ti-Cheng Chang
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kumari G Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - R Elias Alvarado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - David H Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth S Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Plante
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hong Joo Kim
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Stacey Schultz-Cherry
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Qiang Ding
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - J Paul Taylor
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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9
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Eltayeb A, Al-Sarraj F, Alharbi M, Albiheyri R, Mattar EH, Abu Zeid IM, Bouback TA, Bamagoos A, Uversky VN, Rubio-Casillas A, Redwan EM. Intrinsic factors behind long COVID: IV. Hypothetical roles of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and its liquid-liquid phase separation. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30530. [PMID: 38349116 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
When the SARS-CoV-2 virus infects humans, it leads to a condition called COVID-19 that has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, from no symptoms to acute respiratory distress syndrome. The virus initiates damage by attaching to the ACE-2 protein on the surface of endothelial cells that line the blood vessels and using these cells as hosts for replication. Reactive oxygen species levels are increased during viral replication, which leads to oxidative stress. About three-fifths (~60%) of the people who get infected with the virus eradicate it from their body after 28 days and recover their normal activity. However, a large fraction (~40%) of the people who are infected with the virus suffer from various symptoms (anosmia and/or ageusia, fatigue, cough, myalgia, cognitive impairment, insomnia, dyspnea, and tachycardia) beyond 12 weeks and are diagnosed with a syndrome called long COVID. Long-term clinical studies in a group of people who contracted SARS-CoV-2 have been contrasted with a noninfected matched group of people. A subset of infected people can be distinguished by a set of cytokine markers to have persistent, low-grade inflammation and often self-report two or more bothersome symptoms. No medication can alleviate their symptoms efficiently. Coronavirus nucleocapsid proteins have been investigated extensively as potential drug targets due to their key roles in virus replication, among which is their ability to bind their respective genomic RNAs for incorporation into emerging virions. This review highlights basic studies of the nucleocapsid protein and its ability to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation. We hypothesize that this ability of the nucleocapsid protein for phase separation may contribute to long COVID. This hypothesis unlocks new investigation angles and could potentially open novel avenues for a better understanding of long COVID and treating this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Eltayeb
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Al-Sarraj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Alharbi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raed Albiheyri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab H Mattar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Isam M Abu Zeid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamer A Bouback
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Atif Bamagoos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Alberto Rubio-Casillas
- Autlan Regional Hospital, Health Secretariat, Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico
- Biology Laboratory, Autlan Regional Preparatory School, University of Guadalajara, Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Edalat F, Khakpour N, Heli H, Letafati A, Ramezani A, Hosseini SY, Moattari A. Immunological mechanisms of the nucleocapsid protein in COVID-19. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3711. [PMID: 38355695 PMCID: PMC10867304 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53906-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting from Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has left an indelible mark on a global scale, causing countless infections and fatalities. This investigation delves into the role of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein within the HEK293 cells, shedding light on its influence over apoptosis, interferon signaling, and cytokines production. The N gene was amplified, inserted into the pAdTrack-CMV vector, and then transfected to the HEK293 cells. Changes in the expression of IRF3, IRF7, IFN-β, BAK, BAX, and BCL-2 genes were evaluated. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines of IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, and TNF-α were also determined. The N protein exhibited an anti-apoptotic effect by modulating critical genes associated with apoptosis, including BAK, BAX, and BCL-2. This effect potentially prolonged the survival of infected cells. The N protein also played a role in immune evasion by suppressing the interferon pathway, evidenced by the downregulation of essential interferon regulatory factors of IRF3 and IRF7, and IFN-β expression. The N protein expression led to a substantial increase in the production of proinflammatory cytokines of IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, and TNF-α. The N protein emerged as a versatile factor and was exerted over apoptosis, interferon signaling, and cytokine production. These findings carry potential implications for the development of targeted therapies to combat COVID-19 and mitigate its global health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahime Edalat
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Niloofar Khakpour
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hossein Heli
- Nanomedicine and Nanobiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Arash Letafati
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Ramezani
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Younes Hosseini
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Afagh Moattari
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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11
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Burke JM, Ratnayake OC, Watkins JM, Perera R, Parker R. G3BP1-dependent condensation of translationally inactive viral RNAs antagonizes infection. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk8152. [PMID: 38295168 PMCID: PMC10830107 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk8152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
G3BP1 is an RNA binding protein that condenses untranslating messenger RNAs into stress granules (SGs). G3BP1 is inactivated by multiple viruses and is thought to antagonize viral replication by SG-enhanced antiviral signaling. Here, we show that neither G3BP1 nor SGs generally alter the activation of innate immune pathways. Instead, we show that the RNAs encoded by West Nile virus, Zika virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are prone to G3BP1-dependent RNA condensation, which is enhanced by limiting translation initiation and correlates with the disruption of viral replication organelles and viral RNA replication. We show that these viruses counteract condensation of their RNA genomes by inhibiting the RNA condensing function of G3BP proteins, hijacking the RNA decondensing activity of eIF4A, and/or maintaining efficient translation. These findings argue that RNA condensation can function as an intrinsic antiviral mechanism, which explains why many viruses inactivate G3BP proteins and suggests that SGs may have arisen as a vestige of this antiviral mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Burke
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Oshani C. Ratnayake
- Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - J. Monty Watkins
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33438, USA
| | - Rushika Perera
- Center for Vector-Borne and Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Center for Metabolism of Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Roy Parker
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
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12
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Murigneux E, Softic L, Aubé C, Grandi C, Judith D, Bruce J, Le Gall M, Guillonneau F, Schmitt A, Parissi V, Berlioz-Torrent C, Meertens L, Hansen MMK, Gallois-Montbrun S. Proteomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 particles unveils a key role of G3BP proteins in viral assembly. Nat Commun 2024; 15:640. [PMID: 38245532 PMCID: PMC10799903 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44958-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in understanding the molecular host-virus battlefield during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nevertheless, the assembly and egress of newly formed virions are less understood. To identify host proteins involved in viral morphogenesis, we characterize the proteome of SARS-CoV-2 virions produced from A549-ACE2 and Calu-3 cells, isolated via ultracentrifugation on sucrose cushion or by ACE-2 affinity capture. Bioinformatic analysis unveils 92 SARS-CoV-2 virion-associated host factors, providing a valuable resource to better understand the molecular environment of virion production. We reveal that G3BP1 and G3BP2 (G3BP1/2), two major stress granule nucleators, are embedded within virions and unexpectedly favor virion production. Furthermore, we show that G3BP1/2 participate in the formation of cytoplasmic membrane vesicles, that are likely virion assembly sites, consistent with a proviral role of G3BP1/2 in SARS-CoV-2 dissemination. Altogether, these findings provide new insights into host factors required for SARS-CoV-2 assembly with potential implications for future therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Murigneux
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Softic
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Corentin Aubé
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Carmen Grandi
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525, AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Delphine Judith
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Johanna Bruce
- Proteom'IC facility, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Morgane Le Gall
- Proteom'IC facility, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - François Guillonneau
- Proteom'IC facility, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest (ICO), CRCi2NA-Inserm UMR 1307, CNRS UMR 6075, Nantes Université, Angers, France
| | - Alain Schmitt
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Cochin, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Parissi
- Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité Laboratory (MFP), UMR 5234, « Mobility of pathogenic genomes and chromatin dynamics » team (MobilVIR), CNRS-University of Bordeaux, DyNAVIR network, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Laurent Meertens
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm U944, CNRS 7212, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Maike M K Hansen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, 6525, AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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13
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Whitworth I, Knoener RA, Puray-Chavez M, Halfmann P, Romero S, Baddouh M, Scalf M, Kawaoka Y, Kutluay SB, Smith LM, Sherer NM. Defining Distinct RNA-Protein Interactomes of SARS-CoV-2 Genomic and Subgenomic RNAs. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:149-160. [PMID: 38043095 PMCID: PMC10804885 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Host RNA binding proteins recognize viral RNA and play key roles in virus replication and antiviral mechanisms. SARS-CoV-2 generates a series of tiered subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs), each encoding distinct viral protein(s) that regulate different aspects of viral replication. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate the successful isolation of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA and three distinct sgRNAs (N, S, and ORF8) from a single population of infected cells and characterize their protein interactomes. Over 500 protein interactors (including 260 previously unknown) were identified as associated with one or more target RNA. These included protein interactors unique to a single RNA pool and others present in multiple pools, highlighting our ability to discriminate between distinct viral RNA interactomes despite high sequence similarity. Individual interactomes indicated viral associations with cell response pathways, including regulation of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules and posttranscriptional gene silencing. We tested the significance of three protein interactors in these pathways (APOBEC3F, PPP1CC, and MSI2) using siRNA knockdowns, with several knockdowns affecting viral gene expression, most consistently PPP1CC. This study describes a new technology for high-resolution studies of SARS-CoV-2 RNA regulation and reveals a wealth of new viral RNA-associated host factors of potential functional significance to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella
T. Whitworth
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Rachel A. Knoener
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- McArdle
Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine
and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
- Institute
for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University
School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Peter Halfmann
- Influenza
Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Sofia Romero
- McArdle
Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine
and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
- Institute
for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - M’bark Baddouh
- McArdle
Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine
and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
- Institute
for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Mark Scalf
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Influenza
Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
- Division
of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- The
Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
- Pandemic
Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center (UTOPIA), University of Tokyo, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University
School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Lloyd M. Smith
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison
College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Nathan M. Sherer
- McArdle
Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine
and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
- Institute
for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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14
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Christ W, Klingström J, Tynell J. SARS-CoV-2 variant-specific differences in inhibiting the effects of the PKR-activated integrated stress response. Virus Res 2024; 339:199271. [PMID: 37979658 PMCID: PMC10716588 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) is a eukaryotic cell pathway that triggers translational arrest and the formation of stress granules (SGs) in response to various stress signals, including those caused by viral infections. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein has been shown to disrupt SGs, but SARS-CoV-2 interactions with other components of the pathway remains poorly characterized. Here, we show that SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the ISR through activation of the eIF2α-kinase PKR while inhibiting a variety of downstream effects. In line with previous studies, SG formation was efficiently inhibited and the induced eIF2α phosphorylation only minimally contributed to the translational arrest observed in infected cells. Despite ISR activation and translational arrest, expression of the stress-responsive transcription factors ATF4 and CHOP was not induced in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Finally, we found variant-specific differences in the activation of the ISR between ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and the Delta and Omicron BA.1 variants in that Delta infection induced weaker PKR activation while Omicron infection induced higher levels of p-eIF2α, and greatly increased SG formation compared to the other variants. Our results suggest that different SARS-CoV-2 variants can affect normal cell functions differently, which can have an impact on pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Christ
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet. Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Klingström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet. Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Janne Tynell
- Zoonosis Unit, Department of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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15
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He S, Gou H, Zhou Y, Wu C, Ren X, Wu X, Guan G, Jin B, Huang J, Jin Z, Zhao T. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein suppresses innate immunity by remodeling stress granules to atypical foci. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23269. [PMID: 37889852 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201973rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Viruses deploy multiple strategies to suppress the host innate immune response to facilitate viral replication and pathogenesis. Typical G3BP1+ stress granules (SGs) are usually formed in host cells after virus infection to restrain viral translation and to stimulate innate immunity. Thus, viruses have evolved various mechanisms to inhibit SGs or to repurpose SG components such as G3BP1. Previous studies showed that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection inhibited host immunity during the early stage of COVID-19. However, the precise mechanism is not yet well understood. Here we showed that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (SARS2-N) protein suppressed the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-induced innate immune response, concomitant with inhibition of SGs and the induction of atypical SARS2-N+ /G3BP1+ foci (N+ foci). The SARS2-N protein-induced formation of N+ foci was dependent on the ability of its ITFG motif to hijack G3BP1, which contributed to suppress the innate immune response. Importantly, SARS2-N protein facilitated viral replication by inducing the formation of N+ foci. Viral mutations within SARS2-N protein that impair the formation of N+ foci are associated with the inability of the SARS2-N protein to suppress the immune response. Taken together, our study has revealed a novel mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 suppresses the innate immune response via induction of atypical N+ foci. We think that this is a critical strategy for viral pathogenesis and has potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su He
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongwei Gou
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yulin Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunxiu Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinxin Ren
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiajunpeng Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guanwen Guan
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Boxing Jin
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinhua Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhigang Jin
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tiejun Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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16
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Dong H, Zhang H, Jalin J, He Z, Wang R, Huang L, Liu Z, Zhang S, Dai B, Li D. Nucleocapsid proteins from human coronaviruses possess phase separation capabilities and promote FUS pathological aggregation. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4826. [PMID: 37906538 PMCID: PMC10659942 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein is an essential structural component necessary for genomic packaging and replication in various human coronaviruses (HCoVs), such as SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. Recent studies have revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 N protein exhibits a high capacity for liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which plays multiple roles in viral infection and replication. In this study, we systematically investigate the LLPS capabilities of seven homologous N proteins from different HCoVs using a high-throughput protein phase separation assay. We found that LLPS is a shared intrinsic property among these N proteins. However, the phase separation profiles of the various N protein homologs differ, and they undergo phase separation under distinct in vitro conditions. Moreover, we demonstrate that N protein homologs can co-phase separate with FUS, a SG-containing protein, and accelerate its liquid-to-solid phase transition and amyloid aggregation, which is closely related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Further study shows that N protein homologs can directly bind to the low complexity domain of FUS. Together, our work demonstrates that N proteins of different HCoVs possess phase separation capabilities, which may contribute to promoting pathological aggregation of host proteins and disrupting SG homeostasis during the infection and replication of various HCoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Dong
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Present address:
Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Julie Jalin
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ziqi He
- College of StomatologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Runhan Wang
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Leqi Huang
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zibo Liu
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shenqing Zhang
- Bio‐X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of EducationShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced StudyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Bin Dai
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dan Li
- Bio‐X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of EducationShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced StudyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
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17
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Estelle AB, Forsythe HM, Yu Z, Hughes K, Lasher B, Allen P, Reardon PN, Hendrix DA, Barbar EJ. RNA structure and multiple weak interactions balance the interplay between RNA binding and phase separation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad333. [PMID: 37901441 PMCID: PMC10605006 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds viral RNA, condensing it inside the virion, and phase separating with RNA to form liquid-liquid condensates. There is little consensus on what differentiates sequence-independent N-RNA interactions in the virion or in liquid droplets from those with specific genomic RNA (gRNA) motifs necessary for viral function inside infected cells. To identify the RNA structures and the N domains responsible for specific interactions and phase separation, we use the first 1,000 nt of viral RNA and short RNA segments designed as models for single-stranded and paired RNA. Binding affinities estimated from fluorescence anisotropy of these RNAs to the two-folded domains of N (the NTD and CTD) and comparison to full-length N demonstrate that the NTD binds preferentially to single-stranded RNA, and while it is the primary RNA-binding site, it is not essential to phase separation. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identifies two RNA-binding sites on the NTD: a previously characterized site and an additional although weaker RNA-binding face that becomes prominent when binding to the primary site is weak, such as with dsRNA or a binding-impaired mutant. Phase separation assays of nucleocapsid domains with double-stranded and single-stranded RNA structures support a model where multiple weak interactions, such as with the CTD or the NTD's secondary face promote phase separation, while strong, specific interactions do not. These studies indicate that both strong and multivalent weak N-RNA interactions underlie the multifunctional abilities of N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan B Estelle
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Heather M Forsythe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Brittany Lasher
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Patrick Allen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Patrick N Reardon
- Oregon State University NMR Facility, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - David A Hendrix
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Elisar J Barbar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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18
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Jiang L, Xiao M, Liao QQ, Zheng L, Li C, Liu Y, Yang B, Ren A, Jiang C, Feng XH. High-sensitivity profiling of SARS-CoV-2 noncoding region-host protein interactome reveals the potential regulatory role of negative-sense viral RNA. mSystems 2023; 8:e0013523. [PMID: 37314180 PMCID: PMC10469612 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00135-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A deep understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-host interactions is crucial to developing effective therapeutics and addressing the threat of emerging coronaviruses. The role of noncoding regions of viral RNA (ncrRNAs) has yet to be systematically scrutinized. We developed a method using MS2 affinity purification coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and designed a diverse set of bait ncrRNAs to systematically map the interactome of SARS-CoV-2 ncrRNA in Calu-3, Huh7, and HEK293T cells. Integration of the results defined the core ncrRNA-host protein interactomes among cell lines. The 5' UTR interactome is enriched with proteins in the small nuclear ribonucleoproteins family and is a target for the regulation of viral replication and transcription. The 3' UTR interactome is enriched with proteins involved in the stress granules and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins family. Intriguingly, compared with the positive-sense ncrRNAs, the negative-sense ncrRNAs, especially the negative-sense of 3' UTR, interacted with a large array of host proteins across all cell lines. These proteins are involved in the regulation of the viral production process, host cell apoptosis, and immune response. Taken together, our study depicts the comprehensive landscape of the SARS-CoV-2 ncrRNA-host protein interactome and unveils the potential regulatory role of the negative-sense ncrRNAs, providing a new perspective on virus-host interactions and the design of future therapeutics. Given the highly conserved nature of UTRs in positive-strand viruses, the regulatory role of negative-sense ncrRNAs should not be exclusive to SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a pandemic affecting millions of lives. During replication and transcription, noncoding regions of the viral RNA (ncrRNAs) may play an important role in the virus-host interactions. Understanding which and how these ncrRNAs interact with host proteins is crucial for understanding the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. We developed the MS2 affinity purification coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method and designed a diverse set of ncrRNAs to identify the SARS-CoV-2 ncrRNA interactome comprehensively in different cell lines and found that the 5' UTR binds to proteins involved in U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein, while the 3' UTR interacts with proteins involved in stress granules and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family. Interestingly, negative-sense ncrRNAs showed interactions with a large number of diverse host proteins, indicating a crucial role in infection. The results demonstrate that ncrRNAs could serve diverse regulatory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyiqi Jiang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mu Xiao
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing-Qing Liao
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luqian Zheng
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunyan Li
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuemei Liu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bing Yang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Aiming Ren
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin-Hua Feng
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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19
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Zhang X, Zheng R, Li Z, Ma J. Liquid-liquid Phase Separation in Viral Function. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167955. [PMID: 36642156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.167955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
An emerging set of results suggests that liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is the basis for the formation of membrane-less compartments in cells. Evidence is now mounting that various types of virus-induced membrane-less compartments and organelles are also assembled via LLPS. Specifically, viruses appear to use intracellular phase transitions to form subcellular microenvironments known as viral factories, inclusion bodies, or viroplasms. These compartments - collectively referred to as viral biomolecular condensates - can be used to concentrate replicase proteins, viral genomes, and host proteins that are required for virus replication. They can also be used to subvert or avoid the intracellular immune response. This review examines how certain DNA or RNA viruses drive the formation of viral condensates, the possible biological functions of those condensates, and the biophysical and biochemical basis for their assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Run Zheng
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Zhengshuo Li
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Changsha, China.
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20
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Zhan Y, Zha D, Lin H, Mao X, Yang L, Huang H, He Z, Zhou S, Xu F, Qian Y, Liu Y. Protective Role of Vitamin K3 on SARS-CoV-2 Structural Protein-Induced Inflammation and Cell Death. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1101. [PMID: 37631016 PMCID: PMC10457795 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), such as nucleocapsid protein (N protein) and envelop protein (E protein), are considered to be the critical pro-inflammatory factors in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vitamin K3 has been reported to exert an anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of vitamin K3 on SARS-CoV-2 N protein induced-endothelial activation and SARS-CoV-2 E protein induced-cell death in THP-1 cells. The results showed that vitamin K3 reduced N protein-induced monocyte adhesion, suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules, and decreased the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in HLMECs. We confirmed that the effects of vitamin K3 on endothelial activation may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB signal pathway. In addition, vitamin K3 reversed E protein-induced pyroptosis, inhibited NLRP3/GSDMD signal pathway and reduced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells. Our results also showed the protective effects of vitamin K3 on the SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-induced THP-1 cells pyroptosis and endothelial activation via NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggested that vitamin K3 potently suppressed the inflammatory response to prevent endothelial activation and monocyte pyroptosis induced by SARS-CoV-2 proteins. This may provide a new strategy for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiong Zhan
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; (Y.Z.); (F.X.)
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Nanchang University, Chongqing 402660, China
| | - Duoduo Zha
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Hongru Lin
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Xianxian Mao
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Lingyi Yang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Houda Huang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Zongnan He
- Department of Pediatrics, Pingxiang Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Pingxiang 337055, China;
| | - Sheng Zhou
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
| | - Fei Xu
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; (Y.Z.); (F.X.)
| | - Yisong Qian
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (D.Z.); (H.L.); (X.M.); (L.Y.); (H.H.); (S.Z.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Nanchang University, Chongqing 402660, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; (Y.Z.); (F.X.)
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21
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Aloise C, Schipper JG, van Vliet A, Oymans J, Donselaar T, Hurdiss DL, de Groot RJ, van Kuppeveld FJM. SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein inhibits the PKR-mediated integrated stress response through RNA-binding domain N2b. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011582. [PMID: 37607209 PMCID: PMC10473545 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid protein N of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enwraps and condenses the viral genome for packaging but is also an antagonist of the innate antiviral defense. It suppresses the integrated stress response (ISR), purportedly by interacting with stress granule (SG) assembly factors G3BP1 and 2, and inhibits type I interferon responses. To elucidate its mode of action, we systematically deleted and over-expressed distinct regions and domains. We show that N via domain N2b blocks PKR-mediated ISR activation, as measured by suppression of ISR-induced translational arrest and SG formation. N2b mutations that prevent dsRNA binding abrogate these activities also when introduced in the intact N protein. Substitutions reported to block post-translation modifications of N or its interaction with G3BP1/2 did not have a detectable additive effect. In an encephalomyocarditis virus-based infection model, N2b - but not a derivative defective in RNA binding-prevented PKR activation, inhibited β-interferon expression and promoted virus replication. Apparently, SARS-CoV-2 N inhibits innate immunity by sequestering dsRNA to prevent activation of PKR and RIG-I-like receptors. Similar observations were made for the N protein of human coronavirus 229E, suggesting that this may be a general trait conserved among members of other orthocoronavirus (sub)genera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Aloise
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jelle G. Schipper
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arno van Vliet
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Judith Oymans
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Donselaar
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel L. Hurdiss
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Raoul J. de Groot
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank J. M. van Kuppeveld
- Virology Section, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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22
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Yilmazer A, Alagarsamy KN, Gokce C, Summak GY, Rafieerad A, Bayrakdar F, Ozturk BI, Aktuna S, Delogu LG, Unal MA, Dhingra S. Low Dose of Ti 3 C 2 MXene Quantum Dots Mitigate SARS-CoV-2 Infection. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300044. [PMID: 37075731 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
MXene QDs (MQDs) have been effectively used in several fields of biomedical research. Considering the role of hyperactivation of immune system in infectious diseases, especially in COVID-19, MQDs stand as a potential candidate as a nanotherapeutic against viral infections. However, the efficacy of MQDs against SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been tested yet. In this study, Ti3 C2 MQDs are synthesized and their potential in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 infection is investigated. Physicochemical characterization suggests that MQDs are enriched with abundance of bioactive functional groups such as oxygen, hydrogen, fluorine, and chlorine groups as well as surface titanium oxides. The efficacy of MQDs is tested in VeroE6 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. These data demonstrate that the treatment with MQDs is able to mitigate multiplication of virus particles, only at very low doses such as 0,15 µg mL-1 . Furthermore, to understand the mechanisms of MQD-mediated anti-COVID properties, global proteomics analysis are performed and determined differentially expressed proteins between MQD-treated and untreated cells. Data reveal that MQDs interfere with the viral life cycle through different mechanisms including the Ca2 + signaling pathway, IFN-α response, virus internalization, replication, and translation. These findings suggest that MQDs can be employed to develop future immunoengineering-based nanotherapeutics strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Açelya Yilmazer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ankara University, Golbasi, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
- Stem Cell Institute, Ankara University, Balgat, Ankara, 06520, Turkey
| | - Keshav Narayan Alagarsamy
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Cemile Gokce
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ankara University, Golbasi, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
| | | | - Alireza Rafieerad
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Fatma Bayrakdar
- Microbiology References Laboratory, Ministry of Health General Directorate of Public Health, Ankara, 06100, Turkey
| | - Berfin Ilayda Ozturk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ankara University, Golbasi, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Aktuna
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Yuksek Ihtisas University, Ankara, 06530, Turkey
| | - Lucia Gemma Delogu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, 35122, Italy
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mehmet Altay Unal
- Stem Cell Institute, Ankara University, Balgat, Ankara, 06520, Turkey
| | - Sanjiv Dhingra
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada
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23
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Zhang S, Pei G, Li B, Li P, Lin Y. Abnormal phase separation of biomacromolecules in human diseases. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1133-1152. [PMID: 37475546 PMCID: PMC10423695 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane-less organelles (MLOs) formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are associated with numerous important biological functions, but the abnormal phase separation will also dysregulate the physiological processes. Emerging evidence points to the importance of LLPS in human health and diseases. Nevertheless, despite recent advancements, our knowledge of the molecular relationship between LLPS and diseases is frequently incomplete. In this review, we outline our current understanding about how aberrant LLPS affects developmental disorders, tandem repeat disorders, cancers and viral infection. We also examine disease mechanisms driven by aberrant condensates, and highlight potential treatment approaches. This study seeks to expand our understanding of LLPS by providing a valuable new paradigm for understanding phase separation and human disorders, as well as to further translate our current knowledge regarding LLPS into therapeutic discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Gaofeng Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Boya Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Pilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- Frontier Research Center for Biological StructureTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Yi Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane BiologyTsinghua University-Peking University Joint Centre for Life SciencesSchool of Life SciencesTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
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24
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Luchsinger C, Lee K, Mardones GA, KewalRamani VN, Diaz-Griffero F. Formation of nuclear CPSF6/CPSF5 biomolecular condensates upon HIV-1 entry into the nucleus is important for productive infection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10974. [PMID: 37414787 PMCID: PMC10325960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The early events of HIV-1 infection involve the transport of the viral core into the nucleus. This event triggers the translocation of CPSF6 from paraspeckles into nuclear speckles forming puncta-like structures. Our investigations revealed that neither HIV-1 integration nor reverse transcription is required for the formation of puncta-like structures. Moreover, HIV-1 viruses without viral genome are competent for the induction of CPSF6 puncta-like structures. In agreement with the notion that HIV-1 induced CPSF6 puncta-like structures are biomolecular condensates, we showed that osmotic stress and 1,6-hexanediol induced the disassembly of CPSF6 condensates. Interestingly, replacing the osmotic stress by isotonic media re-assemble CPSF6 condensates in the cytoplasm of the cell. To test whether CPSF6 condensates were important for infection we utilized hypertonic stress, which prevents formation of CPSF6 condensates, during infection. Remarkably, preventing the formation of CPSF6 condensates inhibits the infection of wild type HIV-1 but not of HIV-1 viruses bearing the capsid changes N74D and A77V, which do not form CPSF6 condensates during infection1,2. We also investigated whether the functional partners of CPSF6 are recruited to the condensates upon infection. Our experiments revealed that CPSF5, but not CPSF7, co-localized with CPSF6 upon HIV-1 infection. We found condensates containing CPSF6/CPSF5 in human T cells and human primary macrophages upon HIV-1 infection. Additionally, we observed that the integration cofactor LEDGF/p75 changes distribution upon HIV-1 infection and surrounds the CPSF6/CPSF5 condensates. Overall, our work demonstrated that CPSF6 and CPSF5 are forming biomolecular condensates that are important for infection of wild type HIV-1 viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Luchsinger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1301 Morris Park - Price Center 501, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - KyeongEun Lee
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Gonzalo A Mardones
- Facultad de Medicina Y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastian, Arturo Prat 154, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Vineet N KewalRamani
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Felipe Diaz-Griffero
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1301 Morris Park - Price Center 501, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
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25
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Yang Z, Johnson BA, Meliopoulos VA, Ju X, Zhang P, Hughes MP, Wu J, Koreski KP, Chang TC, Wu G, Hixon J, Duffner J, Wong K, Lemieux R, Lokugamage KG, Alvardo RE, Crocquet-Valdes PA, Walker DH, Plante KS, Plante JA, Weaver SC, Kim HJ, Meyers R, Schultz-Cherry S, Ding Q, Menachery VD, Taylor JP. Interaction between host G3BP and viral nucleocapsid protein regulates SARS-CoV-2 replication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.29.546885. [PMID: 37425880 PMCID: PMC10327126 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.29.546885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
G3BP1/2 are paralogous proteins that promote stress granule formation in response to cellular stresses, including viral infection. G3BP1/2 are prominent interactors of the nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the functional consequences of the G3BP1-N interaction in the context of viral infection remain unclear. Here we used structural and biochemical analyses to define the residues required for G3BP1-N interaction, followed by structure-guided mutagenesis of G3BP1 and N to selectively and reciprocally disrupt their interaction. We found that mutation of F17 within the N protein led to selective loss of interaction with G3BP1 and consequent failure of the N protein to disrupt stress granule assembly. Introduction of SARS-CoV-2 bearing an F17A mutation resulted in a significant decrease in viral replication and pathogenesis in vivo, indicating that the G3BP1-N interaction promotes infection by suppressing the ability of G3BP1 to form stress granules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zemin Yang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bryan A Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Victoria A Meliopoulos
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiaohui Ju
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael P Hughes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jinjun Wu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kaitlin P Koreski
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ti-Cheng Chang
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kumari G Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rojelio E Alvardo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - David H Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth S Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Plante
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Scott C Weaver
- World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Hong Joo Kim
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Stacey Schultz-Cherry
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Qiang Ding
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - J Paul Taylor
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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26
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LeBlanc K, Lynch J, Layne C, Vendramelli R, Sloan A, Tailor N, Deschambault Y, Zhang F, Kobasa D, Safronetz D, Xiang Y, Cao J. The Nucleocapsid Proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and Its Close Relative Bat Coronavirus RaTG13 Are Capable of Inhibiting PKR- and RNase L-Mediated Antiviral Pathways. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0099423. [PMID: 37154717 PMCID: PMC10269842 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00994-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs), including severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2, produce double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that activates antiviral pathways such as PKR and OAS/RNase L. To successfully replicate in hosts, viruses must evade such antiviral pathways. Currently, the mechanism of how SARS-CoV-2 antagonizes dsRNA-activated antiviral pathways is unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein, the most abundant viral structural protein, is capable of binding to dsRNA and phosphorylated PKR, inhibiting both the PKR and OAS/RNase L pathways. The N protein of the bat coronavirus (bat-CoV) RaTG13, the closest relative of SARS-CoV-2, has a similar ability to inhibit the human PKR and RNase L antiviral pathways. Via mutagenic analysis, we found that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the N protein is sufficient for binding dsRNA and inhibiting RNase L activity. Interestingly, while the CTD is also sufficient for binding phosphorylated PKR, the inhibition of PKR antiviral activity requires not only the CTD but also the central linker region (LKR). Thus, our findings demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 N protein is capable of antagonizing the two critical antiviral pathways activated by viral dsRNA and that its inhibition of PKR activities requires more than dsRNA binding mediated by the CTD. IMPORTANCE The high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 is an important viral factor defining the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To transmit efficiently, SARS-CoV-2 must be capable of disarming the innate immune response of its host efficiently. Here, we describe that the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 is capable of inhibiting two critical innate antiviral pathways, PKR and OAS/RNase L. Moreover, the counterpart of the closest animal coronavirus relative of SARS-CoV-2, bat-CoV RaTG13, can also inhibit human PKR and OAS/RNase L antiviral activities. Thus, the importance of our discovery for understanding the COVID-19 pandemic is 2-fold. First, the ability of SARS-CoV-2 N to inhibit innate antiviral activity is likely a factor contributing to the transmissibility and pathogenicity of the virus. Second, the bat relative of SARS-CoV-2 has the capacity to inhibit human innate immunity, which thus likely contributed to the establishment of infection in humans. The findings described in this study are valuable for developing novel antivirals and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle LeBlanc
- Poxviruses and Vaccine Design, Division of Viral Diseases, Directorate of Science Reference and Surveillance, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jessie Lynch
- Poxviruses and Vaccine Design, Division of Viral Diseases, Directorate of Science Reference and Surveillance, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Christine Layne
- Poxviruses and Vaccine Design, Division of Viral Diseases, Directorate of Science Reference and Surveillance, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Robert Vendramelli
- Special Pathogens, Division of Health Security and Response, Directorate of Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Angela Sloan
- Special Pathogens, Division of Health Security and Response, Directorate of Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Nikesh Tailor
- Special Pathogens, Division of Health Security and Response, Directorate of Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Yvon Deschambault
- Special Pathogens, Division of Health Security and Response, Directorate of Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Fushun Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Darwyn Kobasa
- Special Pathogens, Division of Health Security and Response, Directorate of Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - David Safronetz
- Special Pathogens, Division of Health Security and Response, Directorate of Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jingxin Cao
- Poxviruses and Vaccine Design, Division of Viral Diseases, Directorate of Science Reference and Surveillance, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Wang Y, Ling X, Zhang C, Zou J, Luo B, Luo Y, Jia X, Jia G, Zhang M, Hu J, Liu T, Wang Y, Lu K, Li D, Ma J, Liu C, Su Z. Modular characterization of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein domain functions in nucleocapsid-like assembly. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:16. [PMID: 37211575 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00129-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, with the Omicron subvariant XBB currently prevailing the global infections, continue to pose threats on public health worldwide. This non-segmented positive-stranded RNA virus encodes the multi-functional nucleocapsid protein (N) that plays key roles in viral infection, replication, genome packaging and budding. N protein consists of two structural domains, NTD and CTD, and three intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) including the NIDR, the serine/arginine rich motif (SRIDR), and the CIDR. Previous studies revealed functions of N protein in RNA binding, oligomerization, and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), however, characterizations of individual domains and their dissected contributions to N protein functions remain incomplete. In particular, little is known about N protein assembly that may play essential roles in viral replication and genome packing. Here, we present a modular approach to dissect functional roles of individual domains in SARS-CoV-2 N protein that reveals inhibitory or augmented modulations of protein assembly and LLPS in the presence of viral RNAs. Intriguingly, full-length N protein (NFL) assembles into ring-like architecture whereas the truncated SRIDR-CTD-CIDR (N182-419) promotes filamentous assembly. Moreover, LLPS droplets of NFL and N182-419 are significantly enlarged in the presence of viral RNAs, and we observed filamentous structures in the N182-419 droplets using correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), suggesting that the formation of LLPS droplets may promote higher-order assembly of N protein for transcription, replication and packaging. Together this study expands our understanding of the multiple functions of N protein in SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaobin Ling
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Zou
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Bingnan Luo
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongbo Luo
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinyu Jia
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Guowen Jia
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Minghua Zhang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Junchao Hu
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuanfeiyi Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Kefeng Lu
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jinbiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center On Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhaoming Su
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Frontiers Medical Center of Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610044, Sichuan, China.
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Whitworth IT, Knoener RA, Puray-Chavez M, Halfmann P, Romero S, Baddouh M, Scalf M, Kawaoka Y, Kutluay SB, Smith LM, Sherer NM. Defining distinct RNA-protein interactomes of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNAs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.15.540806. [PMID: 37293069 PMCID: PMC10245570 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.15.540806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Host RNA binding proteins recognize viral RNA and play key roles in virus replication and antiviral defense mechanisms. SARS-CoV-2 generates a series of tiered subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs), each encoding distinct viral protein(s) that regulate different aspects of viral replication. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate the successful isolation of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA and three distinct sgRNAs (N, S, and ORF8) from a single population of infected cells and characterize their protein interactomes. Over 500 protein interactors (including 260 previously unknown) were identified as associated with one or more target RNA at either of two time points. These included protein interactors unique to a single RNA pool and others present in multiple pools, highlighting our ability to discriminate between distinct viral RNA interactomes despite high sequence similarity. The interactomes indicated viral associations with cell response pathways including regulation of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules and posttranscriptional gene silencing. We validated the significance of five protein interactors predicted to exhibit antiviral activity (APOBEC3F, TRIM71, PPP1CC, LIN28B, and MSI2) using siRNA knockdowns, with each knockdown yielding increases in viral production. This study describes new technology for studying SARS-CoV-2 and reveals a wealth of new viral RNA-associated host factors of potential functional significance to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella T. Whitworth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Rachel A. Knoener
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
| | - Peter Halfmann
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
| | - Sofia Romero
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - M’bark Baddouh
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Mark Scalf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- The Research Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
- Pandemic Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center (UTOPIA), University of Tokyo, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
| | - Lloyd M. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters and Sciences, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
| | - Nathan M. Sherer
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
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29
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Yang S, Shen W, Hu J, Cai S, Zhang C, Jin S, Guan X, Wu J, Wu Y, Cui J. Molecular mechanisms and cellular functions of liquid-liquid phase separation during antiviral immune responses. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1162211. [PMID: 37251408 PMCID: PMC10210139 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1162211] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatiotemporal separation of cellular components is vital to ensure biochemical processes. Membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and nuclei play a major role in isolating intracellular components, while membraneless organelles (MLOs) are accumulatively uncovered via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to mediate cellular spatiotemporal organization. MLOs orchestrate various key cellular processes, including protein localization, supramolecular assembly, gene expression, and signal transduction. During viral infection, LLPS not only participates in viral replication but also contributes to host antiviral immune responses. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of the roles of LLPS in virus infection may open up new avenues for treating viral infectious diseases. In this review, we focus on the antiviral defense mechanisms of LLPS in innate immunity and discuss the involvement of LLPS during viral replication and immune evasion escape, as well as the strategy of targeting LLPS to treat viral infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weishan Shen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiajia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihui Cai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenqiu Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shouheng Jin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangdong Guan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaoxing Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Cui
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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30
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Pan P, Ge W, Lei Z, Luo W, Liu Y, Guan Z, Chen L, Yu Z, Shen M, Hu D, Xiang Q, Wang W, Wan P, Tian M, Yu Y, Luo Z, Chen X, Xiao H, Zhang Q, Liang X, Chen X, Li Y, Wu J. SARS-CoV-2 N protein enhances the anti-apoptotic activity of MCL-1 to promote viral replication. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:194. [PMID: 37160897 PMCID: PMC10169150 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01459-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infection in respiratory tract usually leads to cell death, impairing respiratory function to cause severe disease. However, the diversity of clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection increases the complexity and difficulty of viral infection prevention, and especially the high-frequency asymptomatic infection increases the risk of virus transmission. Studying how SARS-CoV-2 affects apoptotic pathway may help to understand the pathological process of its infection. Here, we uncovered SARS-CoV-2 imployed a distinct anti-apoptotic mechanism via its N protein. We found SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (trVLP) suppressed cell apoptosis, but the trVLP lacking N protein didn't. Further study verified that N protein repressed cell apoptosis in cultured cells, human lung organoids and mice. Mechanistically, N protein specifically interacted with anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1, and recruited a deubiquitinating enzyme USP15 to remove the K63-linked ubiquitination of MCL-1, which stabilized this protein and promoted it to hijack Bak in mitochondria. Importantly, N protein promoted the replications of IAV, DENV and ZIKV, and exacerbated death of IAV-infected mice, all of which could be blocked by a MCL-1 specific inhibitor, S63845. Altogether, we identifed a distinct anti-apoptotic function of the N protein, through which it promoted viral replication. These may explain how SARS-CoV-2 effectively replicates in asymptomatic individuals without cuasing respiratory dysfunction, and indicate a risk of enhanced coinfection with other viruses. We anticipate that abrogating the N/MCL-1-dominated apoptosis repression is conducive to the treatments of SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as coinfections with other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Pan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China.
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, 528315, Foshan, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Weiwei Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiwei Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Luo
- The First People's Hospital of Foshan, 528315, Foshan, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhanwen Guan
- The First People's Hospital of Foshan, 528315, Foshan, China
| | - Lumiao Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
| | - Miaomiao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
| | - Dingwen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenbiao Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pin Wan
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, 528315, Foshan, China
| | - Mingfu Tian
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xulin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heng Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiwei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xujing Liang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yongkui Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jianguo Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, 528315, Foshan, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
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Cai S, Zhang C, Zhuang Z, Zhang S, Ma L, Yang S, Zhou T, Wang Z, Xie W, Jin S, Zhao J, Guan X, Wu J, Cui J, Wu Y. Phase-separated nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 suppresses cGAS-DNA recognition by disrupting cGAS-G3BP1 complex. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:170. [PMID: 37100798 PMCID: PMC10131525 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01420-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, the incidence and fatality rate of SARS-CoV-2 remain continually high worldwide. COVID-19 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibited decreased type I interferon (IFN-I) signal, along with limited activation of antiviral immune responses as well as enhanced viral infectivity. Dramatic progresses have been made in revealing the multiple strategies employed by SARS-CoV-2 in impairing canonical RNA sensing pathways. However, it remains to be determined about the SARS-CoV-2 antagonism of cGAS-mediated activation of IFN responses during infection. In the current study, we figure out that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to the accumulation of released mitochondria DNA (mtDNA), which in turn triggers cGAS to activate IFN-I signaling. As countermeasures, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein restricts the DNA recognition capacity of cGAS to impair cGAS-induced IFN-I signaling. Mechanically, N protein disrupts the assembly of cGAS with its co-factor G3BP1 by undergoing DNA-induced liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), subsequently impairs the double-strand DNA (dsDNA) detection ability of cGAS. Taken together, our findings unravel a novel antagonistic strategy by which SARS-CoV-2 reduces DNA-triggered IFN-I pathway through interfering with cGAS-DNA phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihui Cai
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chenqiu Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuai Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheyu Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weihong Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shouheng Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiangdong Guan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jun Cui
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yaoxing Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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32
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Li M, Thorne RF, Wang R, Cao L, Cheng F, Sun X, Wu M, Ma J, Liu L. Sestrin2-mediated disassembly of stress granules dampens aerobic glycolysis to overcome glucose starvation. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:127. [PMID: 37059726 PMCID: PMC10103035 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01411-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sestrins are a small gene family of pleiotropic factors whose actions promote cell adaptation to a range of stress conditions. In this report we disclose the selective role of Sestrin2 (SESN2) in dampening aerobic glycolysis to adapt to limiting glucose conditions. Removal of glucose from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells inhibits glycolysis associated with the downregulation of the rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme hexokinase 2 (HK2). Moreover, the accompanying upregulation of SESN2 through an NRF2/ATF4-dependent mechanism plays a direct role in HK2 regulation by destabilizing HK2 mRNA. We show SESN2 competes with insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) for binding with the 3'-UTR region of HK2 mRNA. Interactions between IGF2BP3 and HK2 mRNA result in their coalescence into stress granules via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process which serves to stabilize HK2 mRNA. Conversely, the enhanced expression and cytoplasmic localization of SESN2 under glucose deprivation conditions favors the downregulation of HK2 levels via decreases in the half-life of HK2 mRNA. The resulting dampening of glucose uptake and glycolytic flux inhibits cell proliferation and protect cells from glucose starvation-induced apoptotic cell death. Collectively, our findings reveal an intrinsic survival mechanism allowing cancer cells to overcome chronic glucose shortages, also providing new mechanistic insights into SESN2 as an RNA-binding protein with a role in reprogramming of cancer cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rick Francis Thorne
- Translational Research Institute of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450053, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- Translational Research Institute of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450053, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Leixi Cao
- Translational Research Institute of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450053, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Fangyuan Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xuedan Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mian Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Translational Research Institute of People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450053, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Jianli Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150081, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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Zhang J, Jiang Y, Wu C, Zhou D, Gong J, Zhao T, Jin Z. Development of FRET and Stress Granule Dual-Based System to Screen for Viral 3C Protease Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073020. [PMID: 37049786 PMCID: PMC10096049 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
3C proteases (3Cpros) of picornaviruses and 3C-like proteases (3CLpros) of coronaviruses and caliciviruses represent a group of structurally and functionally related viral proteases that play pleiotropic roles in supporting the viral life cycle and subverting host antiviral responses. The design and screening for 3C/3CLpro inhibitors may contribute to the development broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics against viral diseases related to these three families. However, current screening strategies cannot simultaneously assess a compound’s cytotoxicity and its impact on enzymatic activity and protease-mediated physiological processes. The viral induction of stress granules (SGs) in host cells acts as an important antiviral stress response by blocking viral translation and stimulating the host immune response. Most of these viruses have evolved 3C/3CLpro-mediated cleavage of SG core protein G3BP1 to counteract SG formation and disrupt the host defense. Yet, there are no SG-based strategies screening for 3C/3CLpro inhibitors. Here, we developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and SG dual-based system to screen for 3C/3CLpro inhibitors in living cells. We took advantage of FRET to evaluate the protease activity of poliovirus (PV) 3Cpro and live-monitor cellular SG dynamics to cross-verify its effect on the host antiviral response. Our drug screen uncovered a novel role of Telaprevir and Trifluridine as inhibitors of PV 3Cpro. Moreover, Telaprevir and Trifluridine also modulated 3Cpro-mediated physiological processes, including the cleavage of host proteins, inhibition of the innate immune response, and consequent facilitation of viral replication. Taken together, the FRET and SG dual-based system exhibits a promising potential in the screening for inhibitors of viral proteases that cleave G3BP1.
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Zhang L, Bisht P, Flamier A, Barrasa MI, Friesen M, Richards A, Hughes SH, Jaenisch R. LINE1-Mediated Reverse Transcription and Genomic Integration of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Detected in Virus-Infected but Not in Viral mRNA-Transfected Cells. Viruses 2023; 15:629. [PMID: 36992338 PMCID: PMC10057545 DOI: 10.3390/v15030629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 sequences can be reverse-transcribed and integrated into the genomes of virus-infected cells by a LINE1-mediated retrotransposition mechanism. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) methods detected retrotransposed SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic sequences in virus-infected cells overexpressing LINE1, while an enrichment method (TagMap) identified retrotranspositions in cells that did not overexpress LINE1. LINE1 overexpression increased retrotranspositions about 1000-fold as compared to non-overexpressing cells. Nanopore WGS can directly recover retrotransposed viral and flanking host sequences, but its sensitivity depends on the depth of sequencing (a typical 20-fold sequencing depth would only examine 10 diploid cell equivalents). In contrast, TagMap enriches the host-virus junctions and can interrogate up to 20,000 cells and is able to detect rare viral retrotranspositions in LINE1 non-overexpressing cells. Although Nanopore WGS is 10-20-fold more sensitive per tested cell, TagMap can interrogate 1000-2000-fold more cells and, therefore, can identify infrequent retrotranspositions. When comparing SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral nucleocapsid mRNA transfection by TagMap, retrotransposed SARS-CoV-2 sequences were only detected in infected but not in transfected cells. Retrotransposition in virus-infected cells, in contrast to transfected cells, may be facilitated because virus infection, in contrast to viral RNA transfection, results in significantly higher viral RNA levels and stimulates LINE1 expression by causing cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Zhang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Punam Bisht
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Anthony Flamier
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Max Friesen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alexsia Richards
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Stephen H. Hughes
- HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Rudolf Jaenisch
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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Maghsood F, Ghorbani A, Yadegari H, Golsaz-Shirazi F, Amiri MM, Shokri F. SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid: Biological functions and implication for disease diagnosis and vaccine design. Rev Med Virol 2023; 33:e2431. [PMID: 36790816 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2431] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is transmitted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has affected millions of people all around the world, leading to more than 6.5 million deaths. The nucleocapsid (N) phosphoprotein plays important roles in modulating viral replication and transcription, virus-infected cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and regulation of host innate immunity. As an immunodominant protein, N protein induces strong humoral and cellular immune responses in COVID-19 patients, making it a key marker for studying N-specific B cell and T cell responses and the development of diagnostic serological assays and efficient vaccines. In this review, we focus on the structural and functional features and the kinetic and epitope mapping of B cell and T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 N protein to extend our understanding on the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic immunological tests and effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Maghsood
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ghorbani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Yadegari
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Golsaz-Shirazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Amiri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Shokri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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36
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Zhang L, Bisht P, Flamier A, Barrasa MI, Richards A, Hughes SH, Jaenisch R. LINE1-mediated reverse transcription and genomic integration of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA detected in virus-infected but not in viral mRNA-transfected cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.10.527906. [PMID: 37293025 PMCID: PMC10245962 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.10.527906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 sequences can be reverse-transcribed and integrated into the genomes of virus-infected cells by a LINE1-mediated retrotransposition mechanism. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) methods detected retrotransposed SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic sequences in virus-infected cells overexpressing LINE1, while an enrichment method (TagMap) identified retrotranspositions in cells that did not overexpress LINE1. LINE1 overexpression increased retrotranspositions about 1,000-fold as compared to non-overexpressing cells. Nanopore WGS can directly recover retrotransposed viral and flanking host sequences but its sensitivity depends on the depth of sequencing (a typical 20-fold sequencing depth would only examine 10 diploid cell equivalents). In contrast, TagMap enriches for the host-virus junctions and can interrogate up to 20,000 cells and is able to detect rare viral retrotranspositions in LINE1 non-overexpressing cells. Although Nanopore WGS is 10 - 20-fold more sensitive per tested cell, TagMap can interrogate 1,000 - 2,000-fold more cells and therefore can identify infrequent retrotranspositions. When comparing SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral nucleocapsid mRNA transfection by TagMap, retrotransposed SARS-CoV-2 sequences were only detected in infected but not in transfected cells. Retrotransposition in virus-infected in contrast to transfected cells may be facilitated because virus infection in contrast to viral RNA transfection results in significantly higher viral RNA levels and stimulates LINE1-expression which causes cellular stress.
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37
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Pro-Viral and Anti-Viral Roles of the RNA-Binding Protein G3BP1. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020449. [PMID: 36851663 PMCID: PMC9959972 DOI: 10.3390/v15020449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses depend on host cellular resources to replicate. Interaction between viral and host proteins is essential for the pathogens to ward off immune responses as well as for virus propagation within the infected cells. While different viruses employ unique strategies to interact with diverse sets of host proteins, the multifunctional RNA-binding protein G3BP1 is one of the common targets for many viruses. G3BP1 controls several key cellular processes, including mRNA stability, translation, and immune responses. G3BP1 also serves as the central hub for the protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions within a class of biomolecular condensates called stress granules (SGs) during stress conditions, including viral infection. Increasing evidence suggests that viruses utilize distinct strategies to modulate G3BP1 function-either by degradation, sequestration, or redistribution-and control the viral life cycle positively and negatively. In this review, we summarize the pro-viral and anti-viral roles of G3BP1 during infection among different viral families.
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38
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Zheng Y, Gao C. Phase Separation: The Robust Modulator of Innate Antiviral Signaling and SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020243. [PMID: 36839515 PMCID: PMC9962166 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has been a pandemic threat to human health and the worldwide economy, but efficient treatments are still lacking. Type I and III interferons are essential for controlling viral infection, indicating that antiviral innate immune signaling is critical for defense against viral infection. Phase separation, one of the basic molecular processes, governs multiple cellular activities, such as cancer progression, microbial infection, and signaling transduction. Notably, recent studies suggest that phase separation regulates antiviral signaling such as the RLR and cGAS-STING pathways. Moreover, proper phase separation of viral proteins is essential for viral replication and pathogenesis. These observations indicate that phase separation is a critical checkpoint for virus and host interaction. In this study, we summarize the recent advances concerning the regulation of antiviral innate immune signaling and SARS-CoV-2 infection by phase separation. Our review highlights the emerging notion that phase separation is the robust modulator of innate antiviral signaling and viral infection.
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SARS-CoV-2 N protein mediates intercellular nucleic acid dispersion, a feature reduced in Omicron. iScience 2023; 26:105995. [PMID: 36687314 PMCID: PMC9841735 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.105995] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is known to bind to nucleic acids and facilitate viral genome encapsulation. Here we report that the N protein can mediate RNA or DNA entering neighboring cells through ACE2-independent, receptor (STEAP2)-mediated endocytosis, and achieve gene expression. The effect is more pronounced for the N protein of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 than that of the Omicron variant and other human coronaviruses. This effect is enhanced by RANTES (CCL5), a chemokine induced by N protein, and lactate, a metabolite produced in hypoxia, to cause more damage. These findings might explain the clinical observations in SARS-CoV-2-infected cases. Moreover, the N protein-mediated function can be inhibited by N protein-specific monoclonal antibodies or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. Since the N-protein-mediated nucleic acid endocytosis involves a receptor commonly expressed in many types of cells, our findings suggest that N protein may have an additional role in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
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40
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Brownsword MJ, Locker N. A little less aggregation a little more replication: Viral manipulation of stress granules. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1741. [PMID: 35709333 PMCID: PMC10078398 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent exciting studies have uncovered how membrane-less organelles, also known as biocondensates, are providing cells with rapid response pathways, allowing them to re-organize their cellular contents and adapt to stressful conditions. Their assembly is driven by the phase separation of their RNAs and intrinsically disordered protein components into condensed foci. Among these, stress granules (SGs) are dynamic cytoplasmic biocondensates that form in response to many stresses, including activation of the integrated stress response or viral infections. SGs sit at the crossroads between antiviral signaling and translation because they concentrate signaling proteins and components of the innate immune response, in addition to translation machinery and stalled mRNAs. Consequently, they have been proposed to contribute to antiviral activities, and therefore are targeted by viral countermeasures. Equally, SGs components can be commandeered by viruses for their own efficient replication. Phase separation processes are an important component of the viral life cycle, for example, driving the assembly of replication factories or inclusion bodies. Therefore, in this review, we will outline the recent understanding of this complex interplay and tug of war between viruses, SGs, and their components. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease Translation > Regulation RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Brownsword
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and MedicineUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Nicolas Locker
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and MedicineUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
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41
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Huai Y, Mao W, Wang X, Lin X, Li Y, Chen Z, Qian A. How do RNA binding proteins trigger liquid-liquid phase separation in human health and diseases? Biosci Trends 2022; 16:389-404. [PMID: 36464283 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2022.01449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) lie at the center of post-transcriptional regulation and protein synthesis, adding complexity to RNA life cycle. RBPs also participate in the formation of membrane-less organelles (MLOs) via undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which underlies the formation of MLOs in eukaryotic cells. RBPs-triggered LLPS mainly relies on the interaction between their RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and capped mRNA transcripts and the heterotypic multivalent interactions between their intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) or prion-like domains (PLDs). In turn, the aggregations of RBPs are also dependent on the process of LLPS. RBPs-driven LLPS is involved in many intracellular processes (regulation of translation, mRNA storage and stabilization and cell signaling) and serves as the heart of cellular physiology and pathology. Thus, it is essential to comprehend the potential roles and investigate the internal mechanism of RPBs-triggered LLPS. In this review, we primarily expound on our current understanding of RBPs and they-triggered LLPS and summarize their physiological and pathological functions. Furthermore, we also summarize the potential roles of RBPs-triggered LLPS as novel therapeutic mechanism for human diseases. This review will help understand the mechanisms underlying LLPS and downstream regulation of RBPs and provide insights into the pathogenesis and therapy of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Huai
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenjing Mao
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuehao Wang
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Li
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Airong Qian
- Lab for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Lab for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Abavisani M, Rahimian K, Mahdavi B, Tokhanbigli S, Mollapour Siasakht M, Farhadi A, Kodori M, Mahmanzar M, Meshkat Z. Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins: a global analysis. Virol J 2022; 19:220. [PMID: 36528612 PMCID: PMC9759450 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01951-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergence of new variants mainly variants of concerns (VOC) is caused by mutations in main structural proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mutations among structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 globally. METHODS We analyzed samples of amino-acid sequences (AASs) for envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N), and spike (S) proteins from the declaration of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as pandemic to January 2022. The presence and location of mutations were then investigated by aligning the sequences to the reference sequence and categorizing them based on frequency and continent. Finally, the related human genes with the viral structural genes were discovered, and their interactions were reported. RESULTS The results indicated that the most relative mutations among the E, M, N, and S AASs occurred in the regions of 7 to 14, 66 to 88, 164 to 205, and 508 to 635 AAs, respectively. The most frequent mutations in E, M, N, and S proteins were T9I, I82T, R203M/R203K, and D614G. D614G was the most frequent mutation in all six geographical areas. Following D614G, L18F, A222V, E484K, and N501Y, respectively, were ranked as the most frequent mutations in S protein globally. Besides, A-kinase Anchoring Protein 8 Like (AKAP8L) was shown as the linkage unit between M, E, and E cluster genes. CONCLUSION Screening the structural protein mutations can help scientists introduce better drug and vaccine development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Abavisani
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Karim Rahimian
- grid.46072.370000 0004 0612 7950Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahar Mahdavi
- grid.417689.5Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Samaneh Tokhanbigli
- grid.411463.50000 0001 0706 2472Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mollapour Siasakht
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amin Farhadi
- grid.412462.70000 0000 8810 3346Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoor Kodori
- grid.510756.00000 0004 4649 5379Non Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Mohammadamin Mahmanzar
- grid.46072.370000 0004 0612 7950Department of Bioinformatics, Kish International Campus University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
| | - Zahra Meshkat
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Biological soft matter: intrinsically disordered proteins in liquid-liquid phase separation and biomolecular condensates. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:831-847. [PMID: 36350034 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The facts that many proteins with crucial biological functions do not have unique structures and that many biological processes are compartmentalized into the liquid-like biomolecular condensates, which are formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and are not surrounded by the membrane, are revolutionizing the modern biology. These phenomena are interlinked, as the presence of intrinsic disorder represents an important requirement for a protein to undergo LLPS that drives biogenesis of numerous membrane-less organelles (MLOs). Therefore, one can consider these phenomena as crucial constituents of a new IDP-LLPS-MLO field. Furthermore, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), LLPS, and MLOs represent a clear link between molecular and cellular biology and soft matter and condensed soft matter physics. Both IDP and LLPS/MLO fields are undergoing explosive development and generate the ever-increasing mountain of crucial data. These new data provide answers to so many long-standing questions that it is difficult to imagine that in the very recent past, protein scientists and cellular biologists operated without taking these revolutionary concepts into account. The goal of this essay is not to deliver a comprehensive review of the IDP-LLPS-MLO field but to provide a brief and rather subjective outline of some of the recent developments in these exciting fields.
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44
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Sadasivan J, Vlok M, Wang X, Nayak A, Andino R, Jan E. Targeting Nup358/RanBP2 by a viral protein disrupts stress granule formation. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010598. [PMID: 36455064 PMCID: PMC9746944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses have evolved mechanisms to modulate cellular pathways to facilitate infection. One such pathway is the formation of stress granules (SG), which are ribonucleoprotein complexes that assemble during translation inhibition following cellular stress. Inhibition of SG assembly has been observed under numerous virus infections across species, suggesting a conserved fundamental viral strategy. However, the significance of SG modulation during virus infection is not fully understood. The 1A protein encoded by the model dicistrovirus, Cricket paralysis virus (CrPV), is a multifunctional protein that can bind to and degrade Ago-2 in an E3 ubiquitin ligase-dependent manner to block the antiviral RNA interference pathway and inhibit SG formation. Moreover, the R146 residue of 1A is necessary for SG inhibition and CrPV infection in both Drosophila S2 cells and adult flies. Here, we uncoupled CrPV-1A's functions and provide insight into its underlying mechanism for SG inhibition. CrPV-1A mediated inhibition of SGs requires the E3 ubiquitin-ligase binding domain and the R146 residue, but not the Ago-2 binding domain. Wild-type but not mutant CrPV-1A R146A localizes to the nuclear membrane which correlates with nuclear enrichment of poly(A)+ RNA. Transcriptome changes in CrPV-infected cells are dependent on the R146 residue. Finally, Nup358/RanBP2 is targeted and degraded in CrPV-infected cells in an R146-dependent manner and the depletion of Nup358 blocks SG formation. We propose that CrPV utilizes a multiprong strategy whereby the CrPV-1A protein interferes with a nuclear event that contributes to SG inhibition in order to promote infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibin Sadasivan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marli Vlok
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Xinying Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arabinda Nayak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Jan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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45
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Aloise C, Schipper JG, de Groot RJ, van Kuppeveld FJM. Move and countermove: the integrated stress response in picorna- and coronavirus-infected cells. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 79:102254. [PMID: 36274340 PMCID: PMC9515345 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Viruses, when entering their host cells, are met by a fierce intracellular immune defense. One prominent antiviral pathway is the integrated stress response (ISR). Upon activation of the ISR - typically though not exclusively upon detection of dsRNA - translation-initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) becomes phosphorylated to act as an inhibitor of guanine nucleotide-exchange factor eIF2B. Thus, with the production of ternary complex blocked, a global translational arrest ensues. Successful virus replication hinges on effective countermeasures. Here, we review ISR antagonists and antagonistic mechanisms employed by picorna- and coronaviruses. Special attention will be given to a recently discovered class of viral antagonists that inhibit the ISR by targeting eIF2B, thereby allowing unabated translation initiation even at exceedingly high levels of phosphorylated eIF2.
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46
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Sheehan CT, Hampton TH, Madden DR. Tryptophan mutations in G3BP1 tune the stability of a cellular signaling hub by weakening transient interactions with Caprin1 and USP10. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102552. [PMID: 36183834 PMCID: PMC9723946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102552] [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: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) often coordinate transient interactions with multiple proteins to mediate complex signals within large protein networks. Among these, the IDP hub protein G3BP1 can form complexes with cytoplasmic phosphoprotein Caprin1 and ubiquitin peptidase USP10; the resulting control of USP10 activity contributes to a pathogenic virulence system that targets endocytic recycling of the ion channel CFTR. However, while the identities of protein interactors are known for many IDP hub proteins, the relationship between pairwise affinities and the extent of protein recruitment and activity is not well understood. Here, we describe in vitro analysis of these G3BP1 affinities and show tryptophan substitutions of specific G3BP1 residues reduce its affinity for both USP10 and Caprin1. We show that these same mutations reduce the stability of complexes between the full-length proteins, suggesting that copurification can serve as a surrogate measure of interaction strength. The crystal structure of G3BP1 TripleW (F15W/F33W/F124W) mutant reveals a clear reorientation of the side chain of W33, creating a steric clash with USP10 and Caprin1. Furthermore, an amino-acid scan of USP10 and Caprin1 peptides reveals similarities and differences in the ability to substitute residues in the core motifs as well as specific substitutions with the potential to create higher affinity peptides. Taken together, these data show that small changes in component binding affinities can have significant effects on the composition of cellular interaction hubs. These specific protein mutations can be harnessed to manipulate complex protein networks, informing future investigations into roles of these networks in cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin T Sheehan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Thomas H Hampton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Dean R Madden
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.
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47
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Luan X, Li X, Li Y, Su G, Yin W, Jiang Y, Xu N, Wang F, Cheng W, Jin Y, Zhang L, Eric Xu H, Xue Y, Zhang S. Antiviral drug design based on structural insights into the N-terminal domain and C-terminal domain of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2022; 67:2327-2335. [PMID: 36317101 PMCID: PMC9605790 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2022.10.021] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Nucleocapsid (N) protein plays crucial roles in the life cycle of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including the formation of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex with the viral RNA. Here we reported the crystal structures of the N-terminal domain (NTD) and C-terminal domain (CTD) of the N protein and an NTD-RNA complex. Our structures reveal a unique tetramer organization of NTD and identify a distinct RNA binding mode in the NTD-RNA complex, which could contribute to the formation of the RNP complex. We also screened small molecule inhibitors of N-NTD and N-CTD and discovered that ceftriaxone sodium, an antibiotic, can block the binding of RNA to NTD and inhibit the formation of the RNP complex. These results together could facilitate the further research of antiviral drug design targeting N protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Luan
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xinming Li
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yufan Li
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Gengchen Su
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Wanchao Yin
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ning Xu
- School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Feng Wang
- WuxiBiortus Biosciences Co. Ltd, Jiangyin 214437, China
| | - Wang Cheng
- WuxiBiortus Biosciences Co. Ltd, Jiangyin 214437, China
| | - Ye Jin
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Leike Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - H. Eric Xu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,Corresponding authors
| | - Yi Xue
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing 100084, China,Corresponding authors
| | - Shuyang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China,Corresponding authors
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48
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Zachrdla M, Savastano A, Ibáñez de Opakua A, Cima‐Omori M, Zweckstetter M. Contributions of the N‐terminal intrinsically disordered region of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleocapsid protein to RNA‐induced phase separation. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4409. [PMID: 36040256 PMCID: PMC9387207 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4409] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) nucleocapsid protein is an essential structural component of mature virions, encapsulating the genomic RNA and modulating RNA transcription and replication. Several of its activities might be associated with the protein's ability to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation. NSARS‐CoV‐2 contains an intrinsically disordered region at its N‐terminus (NTE) that can be phosphorylated and is affected by mutations found in human COVID‐19 infections, including in the Omicron variant of concern. Here, we show that NTE deletion decreases the range of RNA concentrations that can induce phase separation of NSARS‐CoV‐2. In addition, deletion of the prion‐like NTE allows NSARS‐CoV‐2 droplets to retain their liquid‐like nature during incubation. We further demonstrate that RNA‐binding engages multiple parts of the NTE and changes NTE's structural properties. The results form the foundation to characterize the impact of N‐terminal mutations and post‐translational modifications on the molecular properties of the SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Zachrdla
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Adriana Savastano
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Alain Ibáñez de Opakua
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Maria‐Sol Cima‐Omori
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- Research group Translational Structural Biology German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen Germany
- NMR‐based Structural Biology Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Göttingen Germany
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49
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Li Y, Lu S, Gu J, Xia W, Zhang S, Zhang S, Wang Y, Zhang C, Sun Y, Lei J, Liu C, Su Z, Yang J, Peng X, Li D. SARS-CoV-2 impairs the disassembly of stress granules and promotes ALS-associated amyloid aggregation. Protein Cell 2022; 13:602-614. [PMID: 35384603 PMCID: PMC8983322 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-022-00905-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to have a high ability of liquid-liquid phase separation, which enables its incorporation into stress granules (SGs) of host cells. However, whether SG invasion by N protein occurs in the scenario of SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknow, neither do we know its consequence. Here, we used SARS-CoV-2 to infect mammalian cells and observed the incorporation of N protein into SGs, which resulted in markedly impaired self-disassembly but stimulated cell cellular clearance of SGs. NMR experiments further showed that N protein binds to the SG-related amyloid proteins via non-specific transient interactions, which not only expedites the phase transition of these proteins to aberrant amyloid aggregation in vitro, but also promotes the aggregation of FUS with ALS-associated P525L mutation in cells. In addition, we found that ACE2 is not necessary for the infection of SARS-CoV-2 to mammalian cells. Our work indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection can impair the disassembly of host SGs and promote the aggregation of SG-related amyloid proteins, which may lead to an increased risk of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Shuaiyao Lu
- National Kunming High-level Biosafety Primate Research Center, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650031, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Jinge Gu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wencheng Xia
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shenqing Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yunpeng Sun
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhaoming Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Juntao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
| | - Xiaozhong Peng
- National Kunming High-level Biosafety Primate Research Center, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650031, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
| | - Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Bio-X-Renji Hospital Research Center, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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50
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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: 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: 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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