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Fritch EJ, Mordant AL, Gilbert TSK, Wells CI, Yang X, Barker NK, Madden EA, Dinnon KH, Hou YJ, Tse LV, Castillo IN, Sims AC, Moorman NJ, Lakshmanane P, Willson TM, Herring LE, Graves LM, Baric RS. Investigation of the Host Kinome Response to Coronavirus Infection Reveals PI3K/mTOR Inhibitors as Betacoronavirus Antivirals. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:3159-3177. [PMID: 37634194 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00182] [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] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Host kinases play essential roles in the host cell cycle, innate immune signaling, the stress response to viral infection, and inflammation. Previous work has demonstrated that coronaviruses specifically target kinase cascades to subvert host cell responses to infection and rely upon host kinase activity to phosphorylate viral proteins to enhance replication. Given the number of kinase inhibitors that are already FDA approved to treat cancers, fibrosis, and other human disease, they represent an attractive class of compounds to repurpose for host-targeted therapies against emerging coronavirus infections. To further understand the host kinome response to betacoronavirus infection, we employed multiplex inhibitory bead mass spectrometry (MIB-MS) following MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infection of human lung epithelial cell lines. Our MIB-MS analyses revealed activation of mTOR and MAPK signaling following MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 host kinome responses were further characterized using paired phosphoproteomics, which identified activation of MAPK, PI3K, and mTOR signaling. Through chemogenomic screening, we found that clinically relevant PI3K/mTOR inhibitors were able to inhibit coronavirus replication at nanomolar concentrations similar to direct-acting antivirals. This study lays the groundwork for identifying broad-acting, host-targeted therapies to reduce betacoronavirus replication that can be rapidly repurposed during future outbreaks and epidemics. The proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and MIB-MS datasets generated in this study are available in the Proteomics Identification Database (PRIDE) repository under project identifiers PXD040897 and PXD040901.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan J Fritch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7290, United States
| | - Angie L Mordant
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Thomas S K Gilbert
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7365, United States
| | - Carrow I Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Department of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7264, United States
| | - Xuan Yang
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Department of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7264, United States
| | - Natalie K Barker
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Emily A Madden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7290, United States
| | - Kenneth H Dinnon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7290, United States
| | - Yixuan J Hou
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
| | - Longping V Tse
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
| | - Izabella N Castillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7290, United States
| | - Amy C Sims
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
| | - Nathaniel J Moorman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7290, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Premkumar Lakshmanane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7290, United States
| | - Timothy M Willson
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Department of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7264, United States
| | - Laura E Herring
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7365, United States
| | - Lee M Graves
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7365, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7290, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7400, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
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2
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Madahar V, Dang R, Zhang Q, Liu C, Rodgers VGJ, Liao J. Human Post-Translational SUMOylation Modification of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Enhances Its Interaction Affinity with Itself and Plays a Critical Role in Its Nuclear Translocation. Viruses 2023; 15:1600. [PMID: 37515286 PMCID: PMC10384427 DOI: 10.3390/v15071600] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses, such as Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), infect hosts and take advantage of host cellular machinery for genome replication and new virion production. Identifying and elucidating host pathways for viral infection is critical for understanding the development of the viral life cycle and novel therapeutics. The SARS-CoV-2 N protein is critical for viral RNA (vRNA) genome packaging in new virion formation. Using our quantitative Förster energy transfer/Mass spectrometry (qFRET/MS) coupled method and immunofluorescence imaging, we identified three SUMOylation sites of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. We found that (1) Small Ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification in Nucleocapsid (N) protein interaction affinity increased, leading to enhanced oligomerization of the N protein; (2) one of the identified SUMOylation sites, K65, is critical for its nuclear translocation. These results suggest that the host human SUMOylation pathway may be critical for N protein functions in viral replication and pathology in vivo. Thus, blocking essential host pathways could provide a novel strategy for future anti-viral therapeutics development, such as for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Madahar
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Bourns College of Engineering, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Runrui Dang
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Bourns College of Engineering, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Quanqing Zhang
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Department of Botany, College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Chuchu Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Bourns College of Engineering, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Victor G J Rodgers
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Bourns College of Engineering, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Jiayu Liao
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Bourns College of Engineering, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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3
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Thapa S, Singh KRB, Verma R, Singh J, Singh RP. State-of-the-Art Smart and Intelligent Nanobiosensors for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:637. [PMID: 36005033 PMCID: PMC9405813 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus appeared to be a milder infection initially, but the unexpected outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), commonly called COVID-19, was transmitted all over the world in late 2019 and caused a pandemic. Human health has been disastrously affected by SARS-CoV-2, which is still evolving and causing more serious concerns, leading to the innumerable loss of lives. Thus, this review provides an outline of SARS-CoV-2, of the traditional tools to diagnose SARS-CoV-2, and of the role of emerging nanomaterials with unique properties for fabricating biosensor devices to diagnose SARS-CoV-2. Smart and intelligent nanomaterial-enabled biosensors (nanobiosensors) have already proven their utility for the diagnosis of several viral infections, as various detection strategies based on nanobiosensor devices are already present, and several other methods are also being investigated by researchers for the determination of SARS-CoV-2 disease; however, considerably more is undetermined and yet to be explored. Hence, this review highlights the utility of various nanobiosensor devices for SARS-CoV-2 determination. Further, it also emphasizes the future outlook of nanobiosensing technologies for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushma Thapa
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kshitij RB Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ranjana Verma
- Department of Physics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jay Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ravindra Pratap Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484887, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Kumar A, Ladha A, Choudhury A, Ikbal AMA, Bhattacharjee B, Das T, Gupta G, Sharma C, Sarbajna A, Mandal SC, Choudhury MD, Ali N, Slama P, Rezaei N, Palit P, Tiwari ON. The chimera of S1 and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2: can it be a potential vaccine candidate for COVID-19? Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1071-1086. [PMID: 35604776 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2081156] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emerged as one of the biggest global health issues. Spike protein (S) and nucleoprotein (N), the major immunogenic components of SARS-CoV-2, have been shown to be involved in the attachment and replication of the virus inside the host cell. AREAS COVERED Several investigations have shown that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein can elicit a cell-mediated immune response capable of regulating viral replication and lowering viral burden. However, the development of an effective vaccine that can stop the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains a matter of concern. Literature was retrieved using the keywords COVID-19 vaccine, role of nucleoprotein as vaccine candidate, spike protein, nucleoprotein immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, and chimera vaccine in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google. EXPERT OPINION We have focussed on the use of chimera protein, consisting of N and S-1 protein components of SARS-CoV-2, as a potential vaccine candidate. This may act as a polyvalent mixed recombinant protein vaccine to elicit a strong T and B cell immune response, which will be capable of neutralizing the wild and mutated variants of SARS-CoV-2, and also restricting its attachment, replication, and budding in the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amresh Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, India
| | - Amit Ladha
- Area of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, NIIT University, Neemrana, India
| | - Ankita Choudhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Allama TR College of Pharmacy, Hospital Rd, Srigouri, India
| | - Abu Md Ashif Ikbal
- Department of Pharmacy, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar, Tripura (W), India
| | - Bedanta Bhattacharjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Tanmay Das
- Department of Business Administration, Assam University Silchar, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Area of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, NIIT University, Neemrana, India.,Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Chhavi Sharma
- Area of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, NIIT University, Neemrana, India
| | - Adity Sarbajna
- Department of Zoology, Surendranath College, Kolkata, India
| | - Subhash C Mandal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Nahid Ali
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL BIOLOGY, Kolkata, India
| | - Petr Slama
- Laboratory of Animal Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Partha Palit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Drug Discovery research Laboratory, Assam University, Silchar, India
| | - Onkar Nath Tiwari
- Centre for Conservation and Utilisation of Blue Green Algae (CCUBGA), Division of Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India
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5
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Jahangirian E, Jamal GA, Nouroozi M, Mohammadpour A. A reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatics approach for designing a multiepitope vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Immunogenetics 2021; 73:459-477. [PMID: 34542663 PMCID: PMC8450176 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-021-01228-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since 2019, the world was involved with SARS-CoV-2 and consequently, with the announcement by the World Health Organization that COVID-19 was a pandemic, scientific were an effort to obtain the best approach to combat this global dilemma. The best way to prevent the pandemic from spreading further is to use a vaccine against COVID-19. Here, we report the design of a recombinant multi-epitope vaccine against the four proteins spike or crown (S), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N), and envelope (E) of SARS-CoV-2 using immunoinformatics tools. We evaluated the most antigenic epitopes that bind to HLA class 1 subtypes, along with HLA class 2, as well as B cell epitopes. Beta-defensin 3 and PADRE sequence were used as adjuvants in the structure of the vaccine. KK, GPGPG, and AAY linkers were used to fuse the selected epitopes. The nucleotide sequence was cloned into pET26b(+) vector using restriction enzymes XhoI and NdeI, and HisTag sequence was considered in the C-terminal of the construct. The results showed that the proposed candidate vaccine is a 70.87 kDa protein with high antigenicity and immunogenicity as well as non-allergenic and non-toxic. A total of 95% of the selected epitopes have conservancy with similar sequences. Molecular docking showed a strong binding between the vaccine structure and tool-like receptor (TLR) 7/8. The docking, molecular dynamics, and MM/PBSA analysis showed that the vaccine established a stable interaction with both structures of TLR7 and TLR8. Simulation of immune stimulation by this vaccine showed that it evokes immune responses related to humoral and cellular immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Jahangirian
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghadir A Jamal
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
| | - MohammadReza Nouroozi
- Department of Animal Science and Food Technology, Agriculture Science and Natural Resources University Khouzestan, Ahwaz, Iran
| | - Alemeh Mohammadpour
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
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6
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Muthumanickam S, Kamaladevi A, Boomi P, Gowrishankar S, Pandian SK. Indian Ethnomedicinal Phytochemicals as Promising Inhibitors of RNA-Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Phosphoprotein: An In Silico Study. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:637329. [PMID: 34277698 PMCID: PMC8283196 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.637329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, an etiological agent of COVID-19, has been the reason for the unexpected global pandemic, causing severe mortality and imposing devastative effects on public health. Despite extensive research work put forward by scientist around globe, so far, no suitable drug or vaccine (safe, affordable, and efficacious) has been identified to treat SARS-CoV-2. As an alternative way of improvising the COVID-19 treatment strategy, that is, strengthening of host immune system, a great deal of attention has been given to phytocompounds from medicinal herbs worldwide. In a similar fashion, the present study deliberately focuses on the phytochemicals of three Indian herbal medicinal plants viz., Mentha arvensis, Coriandrum sativum, and Ocimum sanctum for their efficacy to target well-recognized viral receptor protein through molecular docking and dynamic analyses. Nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (N) of SARS-CoV-2, being a pivotal player in replication, transcription, and viral genome assembly, has been recognized as one of the most attractive viral receptor protein targets for controlling the viral multiplication in the host. Out of 127 phytochemicals screened, nine (linarin, eudesmol, cadinene, geranyl acetate, alpha-thujene, germacrene A, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, kaempferide, and baicalin) were found to be phenomenal in terms of exhibiting high binding affinity toward the catalytic pocket of target N-protein. Further, the ADMET prediction analysis unveiled the non-tumorigenic, noncarcinogenic, nontoxic, non-mutagenic, and nonreproductive nature of the identified bioactive molecules. Furthermore, the data of molecular dynamic simulation validated the conformational and dynamic stability of the docked complexes. Concomitantly, the data of the present study validated the anti-COVID efficacy of the bioactives from selected medicinal plants of Indian origin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arumugam Kamaladevi
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
| | - Pandi Boomi
- Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India
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7
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Abstract
Quadruplex structures have been identified in a plethora of organisms where they play important functions in the regulation of molecular processes, and hence have been proposed as therapeutic targets for many diseases. In this paper we report the extensive bioinformatic analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and related viruses using an upgraded version of the open-source algorithm G4-iM Grinder. This version improves the functionality of the software, including an easy way to determine the potential biological features affected by the candidates found. The quadruplex definitions of the algorithm were optimized for SARS-CoV-2. Using a lax quadruplex definition ruleset, which accepts amongst other parameters two residue G- and C-tracks, 512 potential quadruplex candidates were discovered. These sequences were evaluated by their in vitro formation probability, their position in the viral RNA, their uniqueness and their conservation rates (calculated in over seventeen thousand different COVID-19 clinical cases and sequenced at different times and locations during the ongoing pandemic). These results were then compared subsequently to other Coronaviridae members, other Group IV (+)ssRNA viruses and the entire viral realm. Sequences found in common with other viral species were further analyzed and characterized. Sequences with high scores unique to the SARS-CoV-2 were studied to investigate the variations amongst similar species. Quadruplex formation of the best candidates were then confirmed experimentally. Using NMR and CD spectroscopy, we found several highly stable RNA quadruplexes that may be suitable therapeutic targets for the SARS-CoV-2.
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8
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Supekar NT, Shajahan A, Gleinich AS, Rouhani DS, Heiss C, Chapla DG, Moremen KW, Azadi P. Variable post-translational modifications of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Glycobiology 2021; 31:1080-1092. [PMID: 33997890 PMCID: PMC8241430 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), started in 2019 in China and quickly spread into a global pandemic. Nucleocapsid protein (N protein) is highly conserved and is the most abundant protein in coronaviruses and is thus a potential target for both vaccine and point-of-care diagnostics. N Protein has been suggested in the literature as having posttranslational modifications (PTMs), and accurately defining these PTMs is critical for its potential use in medicine. Reports of phosphorylation of N protein have failed to provide detailed site-specific information. We have performed comprehensive glycomics, glycoproteomics and proteomics experiments on two different N protein preparations. Both were expressed in HEK293 cells; one was in-house expressed and purified without a signal peptide (SP) sequence, and the other was commercially produced with a SP channeling it through the secretory pathway. Our results show completely different PTMs on the two N protein preparations. The commercial product contained extensive N- and O-linked glycosylation as well as O-phosphorylation on site Thr393. Conversely, the native N Protein model had O-phosphorylation at Ser176 and no glycosylation, highlighting the importance of knowing the provenance of any commercial protein to be used for scientific or clinical studies. Recent studies have indicated that N protein can serve as an important diagnostic marker for COVID-19 and as a major immunogen by priming protective immune responses. Thus, detailed structural characterization of N protein may provide useful insights for understanding the roles of PTMs on viral pathogenesis, vaccine design and development of point-of-care diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin T Supekar
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Asif Shajahan
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Anne S Gleinich
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Daniel S Rouhani
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Christian Heiss
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | | | - Kelley W Moremen
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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9
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Chakraborty S, Mallajosyula V, Tato CM, Tan GS, Wang TT. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in advanced clinical trials: Where do we stand? Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 172:314-338. [PMID: 33482248 PMCID: PMC7816567 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the focused application of resources and scientific expertise toward the goal of developing investigational vaccines to prevent COVID-19. The highly collaborative global efforts by private industry, governments and non-governmental organizations have resulted in a number of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates moving to Phase III trials in a period of only months since the start of the pandemic. In this review, we provide an overview of the preclinical and clinical data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that are currently in Phase III clinical trials and in few cases authorized for emergency use. We further discuss relevant vaccine platforms and provide a discussion of SARS-CoV-2 antigens that may be targeted to increase the breadth and durability of vaccine responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saborni Chakraborty
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vamsee Mallajosyula
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation, and Infection, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Cristina M Tato
- Infectious Disease Initiative, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gene S Tan
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Taia T Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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10
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Chang CK, Lin SM, Satange R, Lin SC, Sun SC, Wu HY, Kehn-Hall K, Hou MH. Targeting protein-protein interaction interfaces in COVID-19 drug discovery. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:2246-2255. [PMID: 33936565 PMCID: PMC8064971 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 1 million human lives, infected another 50 million individuals and wreaked havoc on the global economy. The crisis has spurred the ongoing development of drugs targeting its etiological agent, the SARS-CoV-2. Targeting relevant protein-protein interaction interfaces (PPIIs) is a viable paradigm for the design of antiviral drugs and enriches the targetable chemical space by providing alternative targets for drug discovery. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the theory, methods and applications of PPII-targeted drug development towards COVID-19 based on recent literature. We will also highlight novel developments, such as the successful use of non-native protein-protein interactions as targets for antiviral drug screening. We hope that this review may serve as an entry point for those interested in applying PPIIs towards COVID-19 drug discovery and speed up drug development against the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Ke Chang
- Taiwan Biobank, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Meng Lin
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Roshan Satange
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chao Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Cih Sun
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Kylene Kehn-Hall
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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11
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Ji D, Juhas M, Tsang CM, Kwok CK, Li Y, Zhang Y. Discovery of G-quadruplex-forming sequences in SARS-CoV-2. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:1150-1160. [PMID: 32484220 PMCID: PMC7314185 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been declared a global health emergency. G-quadruplex structures in genomes have long been considered essential for regulating a number of biological processes in a plethora of organisms. We have analyzed and identified 25 four contiguous GG runs (G2NxG2NyG2NzG2) in the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome, suggesting putative G-quadruplex-forming sequences (PQSs). Detailed analysis of SARS-CoV-2 PQSs revealed their locations in the open reading frames of ORF1 ab, spike (S), ORF3a, membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) genes. Identical PQSs were also found in the other members of the Coronaviridae family. The top-ranked PQSs at positions 13385 and 24268 were confirmed to form RNA G-quadruplex structures in vitro by multiple spectroscopic assays. Furthermore, their direct interactions with viral helicase (nsp13) were determined by microscale thermophoresis. Molecular docking model suggests that nsp13 distorts the G-quadruplex structure by allowing the guanine bases to be flipped away from the guanine quartet planes. Targeting viral helicase and G-quadruplex structure represents an attractive approach for potentially inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Ji
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Mario Juhas
- universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Zurich. Currently, he works at the University of Fribourg. His work spans microbiology and synthetic biology
| | - Chi Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, China, and Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongshu Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong
| | - Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen
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12
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Choudhary J, Dheeman S, Sharma V, Katiyar P, Karn SK, Sarangi MK, Chauhan AK, Verma G, Baliyan N. Insights of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic: a current review. Biol Proced Online 2021; 23:5. [PMID: 33526007 PMCID: PMC7849622 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-020-00141-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, a pandemic of the 21st century caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was originated from China and shallowed world economy and human resource. The medical cures via herbal treatments, antiviral drugs, and vaccines still in progress, and studying rigorously. SARS-CoV-2 is more virulent than its ancestors due to evolution in the spike protein(s), mediates viral attachment to the host's membranes. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding spike domain associates itself with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors. It causes respiratory ailments with irregularities in the hepatic, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems, as reported in humans suffering from COVID-19 and reviewed in the present article. There are several approaches, have been put forward by many countries under the world health organization (WHO) recommendations and some trial drugs were introduced for possible treatment of COVID-19, such as Lopinavir or Ritonavir, Arbidol, Chloroquine (CQ), Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and most important Remdesivir including other like Tocilizumab, Oritavancin, Chlorpromazine, Azithromycin, Baricitinib, etc. RT-PCR is the only and early detection test available besides the rapid test kit (serodiagnosis) used by a few countries due to unreasonable causes. Development of vaccine by several leader of pharmaceutical groups still under trial or waiting for approval for mass inoculation. Management strategies have been evolved by the recommendations of WHO, specifically important to control COVID-19 situations, in the pandemic era. This review will provide a comprehensive collection of studies to support future research and enhancement in our wisdom to combat COVID-19 pandemic and to serve humanity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Choudhary
- Department of Microbiology, Chinmaya Degree College (Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand), Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249401 India
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukula Kangri Deemed to be University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249404 India
| | - Shrivardhan Dheeman
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248161 India
| | - Vipin Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceuticals Sciences, Faculty of Ayurvedic and Medicinal Sciences, Gurukula Kangri Deemed to be University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249404 India
| | - Prashant Katiyar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukula Kangri Deemed to be University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249404 India
| | - Santosh Kumar Karn
- Deaprtment of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248161 India
| | - Manoj Kumar Sarangi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248161 India
| | - Ankit Kumar Chauhan
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukula Kangri Deemed to be University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249404 India
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, 110001 India
| | - Gaurav Verma
- Deaprtment of Microbiology, Shri Dev Suman Subharti Medical College, Ras Bihari Bose Subharti University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Nitin Baliyan
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukula Kangri Deemed to be University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249404 India
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13
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Lang Y, Chen K, Li Z, Li H. The nucleocapsid protein of zoonotic betacoronaviruses is an attractive target for antiviral drug discovery. Life Sci 2020; 282:118754. [PMID: 33189817 PMCID: PMC7658559 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Betacoronaviruses are in one genera of coronaviruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), etc. These viruses threaten public health and cause dramatic economic losses. The nucleocapsid (N) protein is a structural protein of betacoronaviruses with multiple functions such as forming viral capsids with viral RNA, interacting with viral membrane protein to form the virus core with RNA, binding to several cellular kinases for signal transductions, etc. In this review, we highlighted the potential of the N protein as a suitable antiviral target from different perspectives, including structure, functions, and antiviral strategies for combatting betacoronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuekun Lang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Ke Chen
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Zhong Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Hongmin Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
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14
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Ahamad S, Gupta D, Kumar V. Targeting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid oligomerization: Insights from molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:2430-2443. [PMID: 33140703 PMCID: PMC7663461 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1839563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus continually led to infect a large population worldwide. Currently, there is no specific viral protein-targeted therapeutics. The Nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is necessary for viral RNA replication and transcription. The C-terminal domain of N protein (CTD) involves in the self-assembly of N protein into a filament that is packaged into new virions. In this study, the CTD (PDB ID: 6WJI) was targeted for the identification of possible inhibitors of oligomerization of N protein. Herein, multiple computational approaches were employed to explore the potential mechanisms of binding and inhibitor activity of five antiviral drugs toward CTD. The five anti-N drugs studied in this work are 4E1RCat, Silmitasertib, TMCB, Sapanisertib, and Rapamycin. Among the five drugs, 4E1RCat displayed highest binding affinity (-10.95 kcal/mol), followed by rapamycin (-8.91 kcal/mol), silmitasertib (-7.89 kcal/mol), TMCB (-7.05 kcal/mol), and sapanisertib (-6.14 kcal/mol). Subsequently, stability and dynamics of the protein-drug complex were examined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Overall, drug binding increases the stability of the complex with maximum stability observed in the case of 4E1RCat. The CTD-drug complex systems behave differently in terms of the free energy landscape and showed differences in population distribution. Overall, the MD simulation parameters like RMSD, RMSF, Rg, hydrogen bonds analysis, PCA, FEL, and DCCM analysis indicated that 4E1RCat and TMCB complexes were more stable as compared to silmitasertib and sapanisertib and thus could act as effective drug compounds against CTD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzaib Ahamad
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology & Neurosciences (AINN), Amity University, Noida, India
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15
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Xi H, Juhas M, Zhang Y. G-quadruplex based biosensor: A potential tool for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 167:112494. [PMID: 32791468 PMCID: PMC7403137 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplex is a non-canonical nucleic acid structure formed by the folding of guanine rich DNA or RNA. The conformation and function of G-quadruplex are determined by a number of factors, including the number and polarity of nucleotide strands, the type of cations and the binding targets. Recent studies led to the discovery of additional advantageous attributes of G-quadruplex with the potential to be used in novel biosensors, such as improved ligand binding and unique folding properties. G-quadruplex based biosensor can detect various substances, such as metal ions, organic macromolecules, proteins and nucleic acids with improved affinity and specificity compared to standard biosensors. The recently developed G-quadruplex based biosensors include electrochemical and optical biosensors. A novel G-quadruplex based biosensors also show better performance and broader applications in the detection of a wide spectrum of pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease. This review highlights the latest developments in the field of G-quadruplex based biosensors, with particular focus on the G-quadruplex sequences and recent applications and the potential of G-quadruplex based biosensors in SARS-CoV-2 detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xi
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Mario Juhas
- Medical and Molecular Microbiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
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16
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Nikolakaki E, Giannakouros T. SR/RS Motifs as Critical Determinants of Coronavirus Life Cycle. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:219. [PMID: 32974389 PMCID: PMC7471607 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
SR/RS domains are found in almost all eukaryotic genomes from C. elegans to human. These domains are thought to mediate interactions between proteins but also between proteins and RNA in complex networks associated with mRNA splicing, chromatin structure, transcription, cell cycle and cell structure. A precise and tight regulation of their function is achieved through phosphorylation of a number of serine residues within the SR/RS motifs by the Serine-Arginine protein kinases (SRPKs) that lead to delicate structural alterations. Given that coronavirus N proteins also contain SR/RS domains, we formulate the hypothesis that the viruses exploit the properties of these motifs to promote unpacking of viral RNA and virion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Nikolakaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomas Giannakouros
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
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17
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Zhou R, Zeng R, von Brunn A, Lei J. Structural characterization of the C-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2020; 1:2. [PMID: 34765991 PMCID: PMC7406681 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-020-00001-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The newly emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a global human health crisis. The CoV nucleocapsid (N) protein plays essential roles both in the viral genomic RNA packaging and the regulation of host cellular machinery. Here, to contribute to the structural information of the N protein, we describe the 2.0 Å crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein C-terminal domain (N-CTD). The structure indicates an extensive interaction dimer in a domain-swapped manner. The interface of this dimer was first thoroughly illustrated. Also, the SARS-CoV-2 N-CTD dimerization form was verified in solution using size-exclusion chromatography. Based on the structural comparison of the N-CTDs from alpha-, beta-, and gamma-CoVs, we demonstrate the common and specific characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 N-CTD. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 N-CTD possesses the binding ability to single-stranded RNA, single-stranded DNA as well as double-stranded DNA in vitro. In conclusion, this study could potentially accelerate research to understand the complete biological functions of the new CoV N protein.
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18
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Sungsuwan S, Jongkaewwattana A, Jaru-Ampornpan P. Nucleocapsid proteins from other swine enteric coronaviruses differentially modulate PEDV replication. Virology 2019; 540:45-56. [PMID: 31756532 PMCID: PMC7112109 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) share tropism for swine intestinal epithelial cells. Whether mixing of viral components during co-infection alters pathogenic outcomes or viral replication is not known. In this study, we investigated how different coronavirus nucleocapsid (CoV N) proteins interact and affect PEDV replication. We found that PDCoV N and TGEV N can competitively interact with PEDV N. However, the presence of PDCoV or TGEV N led to very different outcomes on PEDV replication. While PDCoV N significantly suppresses PEDV replication, overexpression of TGEV N, like that of PEDV N, increases production of PEDV RNA and virions. Despite partial interchangeability in nucleocapsid oligomerization and viral RNA synthesis, endogenous PEDV N cannot be replaced in the production of infectious PEDV particles. Results from this study give insights into functional compatibilities and evolutionary relationship between CoV viral proteins during viral co-infection and co-evolution. PDCoV N and TGEV N interact with PEDV N in a competitive, RNA-dependent manner. PEDV replication in cell culture is enhanced by overexpression of TGEV or PEDV N but strongly suppressed by that of PDCoV N. Both TGEV and PDCoV N can partially rescue viral RNA and protein synthesis functions of PEDV N, albeit to different degrees. Neither TGEV nor PDCoV N can completely replace PEDV N in the production of PEDV infectious virions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suttipun Sungsuwan
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Anan Jongkaewwattana
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Peera Jaru-Ampornpan
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
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19
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Coronavirus nucleocapsid proteins assemble constitutively in high molecular oligomers. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5740. [PMID: 28720894 PMCID: PMC5515880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06062-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoV) are enveloped viruses and rely on their nucleocapsid N protein to incorporate the positive-stranded genomic RNA into the virions. CoV N proteins form oligomers but the mechanism and relevance underlying their multimerization remain to be fully understood. Using in vitro pull-down experiments and density glycerol gradients, we found that at least 3 regions distributed over its entire length mediate the self-interaction of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) N protein. The fact that these regions can bind reciprocally between themselves provides a possible molecular basis for N protein oligomerization. Interestingly, cytoplasmic N molecules of MHV-infected cells constitutively assemble into oligomers through a process that does not require binding to genomic RNA. Based on our data, we propose a model where constitutive N protein oligomerization allows the optimal loading of the genomic viral RNA into a ribonucleoprotein complex via the presentation of multiple viral RNA binding motifs.
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20
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Zuwała K, Golda A, Kabala W, Burmistrz M, Zdzalik M, Nowak P, Kedracka-Krok S, Zarebski M, Dobrucki J, Florek D, Zeglen S, Wojarski J, Potempa J, Dubin G, Pyrc K. The nucleocapsid protein of human coronavirus NL63. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117833. [PMID: 25700263 PMCID: PMC4336326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human coronavirus (HCoV) NL63 was first described in 2004 and is associated with respiratory tract disease of varying severity. At the genetic and structural level, HCoV-NL63 is similar to other members of the Coronavirinae subfamily, especially human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E). Detailed analysis, however, reveals several unique features of the pathogen. The coronaviral nucleocapsid protein is abundantly present in infected cells. It is a multi-domain, multi-functional protein important for viral replication and a number of cellular processes. The aim of the present study was to characterize the HCoV-NL63 nucleocapsid protein. Biochemical analyses revealed that the protein shares characteristics with homologous proteins encoded in other coronaviral genomes, with the N-terminal domain responsible for nucleic acid binding and the C-terminal domain involved in protein oligomerization. Surprisingly, analysis of the subcellular localization of the N protein of HCoV-NL63 revealed that, differently than homologous proteins from other coronaviral species except for SARS-CoV, it is not present in the nucleus of infected or transfected cells. Furthermore, no significant alteration in cell cycle progression in cells expressing the protein was observed. This is in stark contrast with results obtained for other coronaviruses, except for the SARS-CoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Zuwała
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Golda
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kabala
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał Burmistrz
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michal Zdzalik
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Nowak
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sylwia Kedracka-Krok
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mirosław Zarebski
- Division of Cell Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jerzy Dobrucki
- Division of Cell Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Dominik Florek
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sławomir Zeglen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Szpitalna 2, 41–800, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Jacek Wojarski
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Szpitalna 2, 41–800, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Jan Potempa
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Oral Health and Systemic Disease Research Group, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States of America
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail:
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21
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McBride R, van Zyl M, Fielding BC. The coronavirus nucleocapsid is a multifunctional protein. Viruses 2014; 6:2991-3018. [PMID: 25105276 PMCID: PMC4147684 DOI: 10.3390/v6082991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 638] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) is a structural protein that forms complexes with genomic RNA, interacts with the viral membrane protein during virion assembly and plays a critical role in enhancing the efficiency of virus transcription and assembly. Recent studies have confirmed that N is a multifunctional protein. The aim of this review is to highlight the properties and functions of the N protein, with specific reference to (i) the topology; (ii) the intracellular localization and (iii) the functions of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth McBride
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
| | - Marjorie van Zyl
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
| | - Burtram C Fielding
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
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22
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Chang CK, Chen CMM, Chiang MH, Hsu YL, Huang TH. Transient oligomerization of the SARS-CoV N protein--implication for virus ribonucleoprotein packaging. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65045. [PMID: 23717688 PMCID: PMC3662775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) phosphoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) packages the viral genome into a helical ribonucleocapsid and plays a fundamental role during viral self-assembly. The N protein consists of two structural domains interspersed between intrinsically disordered regions and dimerizes through the C-terminal structural domain (CTD). A key activity of the protein is the ability to oligomerize during capsid formation by utilizing the dimer as a building block, but the structural and mechanistic bases of this activity are not well understood. By disulfide trapping technique we measured the amount of transient oligomers of N protein mutants with strategically located cysteine residues and showed that CTD acts as a primary transient oligomerization domain in solution. The data is consistent with the helical oligomer packing model of N protein observed in crystal. A systematic study of the oligomerization behavior revealed that altering the intermolecular electrostatic repulsion through changes in solution salt concentration or phosphorylation-mimicking mutations affects oligomerization propensity. We propose a biophysical mechanism where electrostatic repulsion acts as a switch to regulate N protein oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-ke Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chia-Min Michael Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ming-hui Chiang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yen-lan Hsu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tai-huang Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Physics, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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The coronavirus nucleocapsid protein is dynamically associated with the replication-transcription complexes. J Virol 2010; 84:11575-9. [PMID: 20739524 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00569-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is a virion structural protein. It also functions, however, in an unknown way in viral replication and localizes to the viral replication-transcription complexes (RTCs). Here we investigated, using recombinant murine coronaviruses expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged versions of the N protein, the dynamics of its interactions with the RTCs and the domain(s) involved. Using fluorescent recovery after photobleaching, we showed that the N protein, unlike the nonstructural protein 2, is dynamically associated with the RTCs. Recruitment of the N protein to the RTCs requires the C-terminal N2b domain, which interacts with other N proteins in an RNA-independent manner.
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Grossoehme NE, Li L, Keane SC, Liu P, Dann CE, Leibowitz JL, Giedroc DP. Coronavirus N protein N-terminal domain (NTD) specifically binds the transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) and melts TRS-cTRS RNA duplexes. J Mol Biol 2009; 394:544-57. [PMID: 19782089 PMCID: PMC2783395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2009] [Revised: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
All coronaviruses (CoVs), including the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), encode a nucleocapsid (N) protein that harbors two independent RNA binding domains of known structure, but poorly characterized RNA binding properties. We show here that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of N protein from mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a virus most closely related to SARS-CoV, employs aromatic amino acid-nucleobase stacking interactions with a triple adenosine motif to mediate high-affinity binding to single-stranded RNAs containing the transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) or its complement (cTRS). Stoichiometric NTD fully unwinds a TRS-cTRS duplex that mimics a transiently formed transcription intermediate in viral subgenomic RNA synthesis. Mutation of the solvent-exposed Y127, positioned on the beta-platform surface of our 1.75 A structure, binds the TRS far less tightly and is severely crippled in its RNA unwinding activity. In contrast, the C-terminal domain (CTD) exhibits no RNA unwinding activity. Viruses harboring Y127A N mutation are strongly selected against and Y127A N does not support an accessory function in MHV replication. We propose that the helix melting activity of the coronavirus N protein NTD plays a critical accessory role in subgenomic RNA synthesis and other processes requiring RNA remodeling.
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25
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Zheng N, Xia R, Yang C, Yin B, Li Y, Duan C, Liang L, Guo H, Xie Q. Boosted expression of the SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein in tobacco and its immunogenicity in mice. Vaccine 2009; 27:5001-7. [PMID: 19523911 PMCID: PMC7115566 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.05.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2008] [Revised: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Vaccines produced in plant systems are safe and economical; however, the extensive application of plant-based vaccines is mainly hindered by low expression levels of heterologous proteins in plant systems. Here, we demonstrated that the post-transcriptional gene silencing suppressor p19 protein from tomato bushy stunt virus substantially enhanced the transient expression of recombinant SARS-CoV nucleocapsid (rN) protein in Nicotiana benthamiana. The rN protein in the agrobacteria-infiltrated plant leaf accumulated up to a concentration of 79 microg per g fresh leaf weight at 3 days post infiltration. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally vaccinated with pre-treated plant extract emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. The rN protein-specific IgG in the mouse sera attained a titer about 1:1,800 following three doses of immunization, which suggested effective B-cell maturation and differentiation in mice. Antibodies of the subclasses IgG1 and IgG2a were abundantly present in the mouse sera. During vaccination of rN protein, the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-10 was evidently up-regulated in splenocytes at different time points, while the expression of IL-2 and IL-4 was not. Up to now, this is the first study that plant-expressed recombinant SARS-CoV N protein can induce strong humoral and cellular responses in mice.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins
- Female
- Freund's Adjuvant/administration & dosage
- Freund's Adjuvant/pharmacology
- Gene Silencing
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Injections, Intraperitoneal
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Interleukin-10/metabolism
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics
- Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology
- Nucleocapsid Proteins/isolation & purification
- Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics
- Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purification
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus/genetics
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus/immunology
- Spleen/immunology
- Nicotiana/genetics
- Nicotiana/metabolism
- Tombusvirus/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/isolation & purification
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuoyan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen (Zhongshan) University, 135 Xingang Road W, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Ran Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Cuiping Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen (Zhongshan) University, 135 Xingang Road W, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Bojiao Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen (Zhongshan) University, 135 Xingang Road W, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen (Zhongshan) University, 135 Xingang Road W, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chengguo Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Liming Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen (Zhongshan) University, 135 Xingang Road W, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Huishan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Qi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
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26
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Siu KL, Chan CP, Chan C, Zheng BJ, Jin DY. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nucleocapsid protein does not modulate transcription of the human FGL2 gene. J Gen Virol 2009. [PMID: 19423547 DOI: v10.1099/vir.0.009209-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the structural and nonstructural proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the nucleocapsid (N) protein plays pivotal roles in the biology and pathogenesis of viral infection. N protein is thought to dysregulate cell signalling and the transcription of cellular genes, including FGL2, which encodes a prothrombinase implicated in vascular thrombosis, fibrin deposition and pneumocyte necrosis. Here, we showed that N protein expressed in cultured human cells was predominantly found in the cytoplasm and was competent in repressing the transcriptional activity driven by interferon-stimulated response elements. However, the expression of N protein did not influence the transcription from the FGL2 promoter. More importantly, N protein did not modulate the expression of FGL2 mRNA or protein in transfected or SARS-CoV-infected cells. Taken together, our findings did not support the model in which SARS-CoV N protein specifically modulates transcription of the FGL2 gene to cause fibrosis and vascular thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam-Leung Siu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
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27
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Siu KL, Chan CP, Chan C, Zheng BJ, Jin DY. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nucleocapsid protein does not modulate transcription of the human FGL2 gene. J Gen Virol 2009; 90:2107-13. [PMID: 19423547 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.009209-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the structural and nonstructural proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the nucleocapsid (N) protein plays pivotal roles in the biology and pathogenesis of viral infection. N protein is thought to dysregulate cell signalling and the transcription of cellular genes, including FGL2, which encodes a prothrombinase implicated in vascular thrombosis, fibrin deposition and pneumocyte necrosis. Here, we showed that N protein expressed in cultured human cells was predominantly found in the cytoplasm and was competent in repressing the transcriptional activity driven by interferon-stimulated response elements. However, the expression of N protein did not influence the transcription from the FGL2 promoter. More importantly, N protein did not modulate the expression of FGL2 mRNA or protein in transfected or SARS-CoV-infected cells. Taken together, our findings did not support the model in which SARS-CoV N protein specifically modulates transcription of the FGL2 gene to cause fibrosis and vascular thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam-Leung Siu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
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28
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Identification of in vivo-interacting domains of the murine coronavirus nucleocapsid protein. J Virol 2009; 83:7221-34. [PMID: 19420077 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00440-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid protein (N), together with the large, positive-strand RNA viral genome, forms a helically symmetric nucleocapsid. This ribonucleoprotein structure becomes packaged into virions through association with the carboxy-terminal endodomain of the membrane protein (M), which is the principal constituent of the virion envelope. Previous work with the prototype coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) has shown that a major determinant of the N-M interaction maps to the carboxy-terminal domain 3 of the N protein. To explore other domain interactions of the MHV N protein, we expressed a series of segments of the MHV N protein as fusions with green fluorescent protein (GFP) during the course of viral infection. We found that two of these GFP-N-domain fusion proteins were selectively packaged into virions as the result of tight binding to the N protein in the viral nucleocapsid, in a manner that did not involve association with either M protein or RNA. The nature of each type of binding was further explored through genetic analysis. Our results defined two strongly interacting regions of the N protein. One is the same domain 3 that is critical for M protein recognition during assembly. The other is domain N1b, which corresponds to the N-terminal domain that has been structurally characterized in detail for two other coronaviruses, infectious bronchitis virus and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
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29
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Wang SM, Wang CT. APOBEC3G cytidine deaminase association with coronavirus nucleocapsid protein. Virology 2009; 388:112-20. [PMID: 19345973 PMCID: PMC7103413 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2008] [Revised: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 03/10/2009] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that replacing HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC) domain with SARS-CoV nucleocapsid (N) residues 2–213, 215–421, or 234–421 results in efficient virus-like particle (VLP) production at a level comparable to that of wild-type HIV-1. In this study we demonstrate that these chimeras are capable of packaging large amounts of human APOBEC3G (hA3G), and that an HIV-1 Gag chimera containing the carboxyl-terminal half of human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) N as a substitute for NC is capable of directing VLP assembly and efficiently packaging hA3G. When co-expressed with SARS-CoV N and M (membrane) proteins, hA3G was efficiently incorporated into SARS-CoV VLPs. Data from GST pull-down assays suggest that the N sequence involved in N–hA3G interactions is located between residues 86 and 302. Like HIV-1 NC, the SARS-CoV or HCoV-229E N-associated with hA3G depends on the presence of RNA, with the first linker region essential for hA3G packaging into both HIV-1 and SARS-CoV VLPs. The results raise the possibility that hA3G is capable of associating with different species of viral structural proteins through a potentially common, RNA-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shui-Mei Wang
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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30
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The M, E, and N structural proteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus are required for efficient assembly, trafficking, and release of virus-like particles. J Virol 2008. [PMID: 18753196 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01052‐08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of virus-like particles (VLPs) constitutes a relevant and safe model to study molecular determinants of virion egress. The minimal requirement for the assembly of VLPs for the coronavirus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans (SARS-CoV) is still controversial. Recent studies have shown that SARS-CoV VLP formation depends on either M and E proteins or M and N proteins. Here we show that both E and N proteins must be coexpressed with M protein for the efficient production and release of VLPs by transfected Vero E6 cells. This suggests that the mechanism of SARS-CoV assembly differs from that of other studied coronaviruses, which only require M and E proteins for VLP formation. When coexpressed, the native envelope trimeric S glycoprotein is incorporated onto VLPs. Interestingly, when a fluorescent protein tag is added to the C-terminal end of N or S protein, but not M protein, the chimeric viral proteins can be assembled within VLPs and allow visualization of VLP production and trafficking in living cells by state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Fluorescent VLPs will be used further to investigate the role of cellular machineries during SARS-CoV egress.
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31
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The M, E, and N structural proteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus are required for efficient assembly, trafficking, and release of virus-like particles. J Virol 2008; 82:11318-30. [PMID: 18753196 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01052-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 336] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of virus-like particles (VLPs) constitutes a relevant and safe model to study molecular determinants of virion egress. The minimal requirement for the assembly of VLPs for the coronavirus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans (SARS-CoV) is still controversial. Recent studies have shown that SARS-CoV VLP formation depends on either M and E proteins or M and N proteins. Here we show that both E and N proteins must be coexpressed with M protein for the efficient production and release of VLPs by transfected Vero E6 cells. This suggests that the mechanism of SARS-CoV assembly differs from that of other studied coronaviruses, which only require M and E proteins for VLP formation. When coexpressed, the native envelope trimeric S glycoprotein is incorporated onto VLPs. Interestingly, when a fluorescent protein tag is added to the C-terminal end of N or S protein, but not M protein, the chimeric viral proteins can be assembled within VLPs and allow visualization of VLP production and trafficking in living cells by state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Fluorescent VLPs will be used further to investigate the role of cellular machineries during SARS-CoV egress.
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32
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Dissection and identification of regions required to form pseudoparticles by the interaction between the nucleocapsid (N) and membrane (M) proteins of SARS coronavirus. Virology 2008; 380:99-108. [PMID: 18703211 PMCID: PMC7103410 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2008] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
When expressed in mammalian cells, the nucleocapsid (N) and membrane (M) proteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) are sufficient to form pseudoparticles. To identify region(s) of the N molecule required for pseudoparticle formation, we performed biochemical analysis of the interaction of N mutants and M in HEK293 cells. Using a peptide library derived from N, we found that amino acids 101-115 constituted a novel binding site for M. We examined the ability of N mutants to interact with M and form pseudoparticles, and our observations indicated that M bound to NDelta(101-115), N1-150, N151-300, and N301-422, but not to N1-150Delta(101-115). However, pseudoparticles were formed when NDelta(101-115) or N301-422, but not N1-150 or N151-300, were expressed with M in HEK293 cells. These results indicated that the minimum portion of N required for the interaction with M and pseudoparticle formation consists of amino acids 301-422.
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33
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nucleocapsid protein confers ability to efficiently produce virus-like particles when substituted for the human immunodeficiency virus nucleocapsid domain. J Biomed Sci 2008; 15:719-29. [PMID: 18592403 PMCID: PMC7088652 DOI: 10.1007/s11373-008-9265-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2008] [Accepted: 06/17/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We replaced the HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC) domain with different N-coding sequences to test SARS-CoV nucleocapsid (N) self-interaction capacity, and determined the capabilities of each chimera to direct virus-like particle (VLP) assembly. Analysis results indicate that the replacement of NC with the carboxyl-terminal half of the SARS-CoV N resulted in the production of wild type (wt)-level virus-like particles (VLPs) with the density of a wt HIV-1 particle. When co-expressed with SARS-CoV N, chimeras containing the N carboxyl-terminal half sequence efficiently packaged N. However, the same was not true for the chimera bearing the N amino-terminal half sequence, despite its production of substantial amounts of VLPs. According to further analysis, HIV-1 NC replacement with N residues 2–213, 215–421, or 234–421 resulted in efficient VLP production at levels comparable to that of wt HIV-1, but replacement with residues 215–359, 302–421, 2–168, or 2–86 failed to restore VLP production to wild-type levels. The results suggest that the domain conferring the ability to direct VLP assembly and release in SARS-CoV N is largely contained between residues 168 and 421.
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34
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Zhang J, Guy JS, Snijder EJ, Denniston DA, Timoney PJ, Balasuriya UBR. Genomic characterization of equine coronavirus. Virology 2007; 369:92-104. [PMID: 17706262 PMCID: PMC7103287 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2007] [Revised: 05/08/2007] [Accepted: 06/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The complete genome sequence of the first equine coronavirus (ECoV) isolate, NC99 strain was accomplished by directly sequencing 11 overlapping fragments which were RT–PCR amplified from viral RNA. The ECoV genome is 30,992 nucleotides in length, excluding the polyA tail. Analysis of the sequence identified 11 open reading frames which encode two replicase polyproteins, five structural proteins (hemagglutinin esterase, spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid) and four accessory proteins (NS2, p4.7, p12.7, and I). The two replicase polyproteins are predicted to be proteolytically processed by three virus-encoded proteases into 16 non-structural proteins (nsp1–16). The ECoV nsp3 protein had considerable amino acid deletions and insertions compared to the nsp3 proteins of bovine coronavirus, human coronavirus OC43, and porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus, three group 2 coronaviruses phylogenetically most closely related to ECoV. The structure of subgenomic mRNAs was analyzed by Northern blot analysis and sequencing of the leader–body junction in each sg mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Science, 108 Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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35
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White TC, Yi Z, Hogue BG. Identification of mouse hepatitis coronavirus A59 nucleocapsid protein phosphorylation sites. Virus Res 2007; 126:139-48. [PMID: 17367888 PMCID: PMC2001268 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2007.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2006] [Revised: 02/04/2007] [Accepted: 02/08/2007] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) is a multifunctional phosphoprotein that encapsidates the genomic RNA into a helical nucleocapsid within the mature virion. The protein also plays roles in viral RNA transcription and/or replication and possibly viral mRNA translation. Phosphorylation is one of the most common post-translation modifications that plays important regulatory roles in modulating protein functions. It has been speculated for sometime that phosphorylation could play an important role in regulation of coronavirus N protein functions. As a first step toward positioning to address this we have identified the amino acids that are phosphorylated on the mouse hepatitis coronavirus (MHV) A59 N protein. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was used to identify phosphorylated sites on the N protein from both infected cells and purified extracellular virions. A total of six phosphorylated sites (S162, S170, T177, S389, S424 and T428) were identified on the protein from infected cells. The same six sites were also phosphorylated on the extracellular mature virion N protein. This is the first identification of phosphorylated sites for a group II coronavirus N protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiana C White
- The Biodesign Institute, Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5401, USA
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36
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Haynes LM, Miao C, Harcourt JL, Montgomery JM, Le MQ, Dryga SA, Kamrud KI, Rivers B, Babcock GJ, Oliver JB, Comer JA, Reynolds M, Uyeki TM, Bausch D, Ksiazek T, Thomas W, Alterson H, Smith J, Ambrosino DM, Anderson LJ. Recombinant protein-based assays for detection of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike and nucleocapsid proteins. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 14:331-3. [PMID: 17229882 PMCID: PMC1828864 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00351-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) nucleocapsid and spike protein-based immunoglobulin G immunoassays were developed and evaluated. Our assays demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity to the SARS coronavirus in sera collected from patients as late as 2 years postonset of symptoms. These assays will be useful not only for routine SARS coronavirus diagnostics but also for epidemiological and antibody kinetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia M Haynes
- National Centers for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Viral Diseases, Respiratory and Gastroenteritis Viruses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Mailstop G-18, Atlanta, GA 30333.
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37
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Ye Y, Hauns K, Langland JO, Jacobs BL, Hogue BG. Mouse hepatitis coronavirus A59 nucleocapsid protein is a type I interferon antagonist. J Virol 2006; 81:2554-63. [PMID: 17182678 PMCID: PMC1865977 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01634-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of several new coronaviruses, including the etiological cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome, has significantly increased the importance of understanding virus-host cell interactions of this virus family. We used mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) A59 as a model to gain insight into how coronaviruses affect the type I alpha/beta interferon (IFN) system. We demonstrate that MHV is resistant to type I IFN. Protein kinase R (PKR) and the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor are not phosphorylated in infected cells. The RNase L activity associated with 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase is not activated or is blocked, since cellular RNA is not degraded. These results are consistent with lack of protein translation shutoff early following infection. We used a well-established recombinant vaccinia virus (VV)-based expression system that lacks the viral IFN antagonist E3L to screen viral genes for their ability to rescue the IFN sensitivity of the mutant. The nucleocapsid (N) gene rescued VVDeltaE3L from IFN sensitivity. N gene expression prevents cellular RNA degradation and partially rescues the dramatic translation shutoff characteristic of the VVDeltaE3L virus. However, it does not prevent PKR phosphorylation. The results indicate that the MHV N protein is a type I IFN antagonist that likely plays a role in circumventing the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Ye
- The Biodesign Institute, P.O. Box 875401, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5401, USA
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38
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Perlman S, Holmes KV. Subcellular localization of SARS-CoV structural proteins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2006; 581:297-300. [PMID: 17037547 PMCID: PMC4524784 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-33012-9_51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stanley Perlman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, 52242 Iowa City, IA USA
| | - Kathryn V. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at Fitzsimons, 80045-8333 Aurora, CO USA
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39
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Perlman S, Holmes KV. Mouse hepatitis coronavirus nucleocapsid phosphorylation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2006; 581:157-60. [PMID: 17037524 PMCID: PMC3764311 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-33012-9_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stanley Perlman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, 52242 Iowa City, IA USA
| | - Kathryn V. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at Fitzsimons, 80045-8333 Aurora, CO USA
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40
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Abstract
Coronaviruses are large, enveloped RNA viruses of both medical and veterinary importance. Interest in this viral family has intensified in the past few years as a result of the identification of a newly emerged coronavirus as the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). At the molecular level, coronaviruses employ a variety of unusual strategies to accomplish a complex program of gene expression. Coronavirus replication entails ribosome frameshifting during genome translation, the synthesis of both genomic and multiple subgenomic RNA species, and the assembly of progeny virions by a pathway that is unique among enveloped RNA viruses. Progress in the investigation of these processes has been enhanced by the development of reverse genetic systems, an advance that was heretofore obstructed by the enormous size of the coronavirus genome. This review summarizes both classical and contemporary discoveries in the study of the molecular biology of these infectious agents, with particular emphasis on the nature and recognition of viral receptors, viral RNA synthesis, and the molecular interactions governing virion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Masters
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, 12201, USA
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Jayaram H, Fan H, Bowman BR, Ooi A, Jayaram J, Collisson EW, Lescar J, Prasad BVV. X-ray structures of the N- and C-terminal domains of a coronavirus nucleocapsid protein: implications for nucleocapsid formation. J Virol 2006; 80:6612-20. [PMID: 16775348 PMCID: PMC1488953 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00157-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses cause a variety of respiratory and enteric diseases in animals and humans including severe acute respiratory syndrome. In these enveloped viruses, the filamentous nucleocapsid is formed by the association of nucleocapsid (N) protein with single-stranded viral RNA. The N protein is a highly immunogenic phosphoprotein also implicated in viral genome replication and in modulating cell signaling pathways. We describe the structure of the two proteolytically resistant domains of the N protein from infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a prototype coronavirus. These domains are located at its N- and C-terminal ends (NTD and CTD, respectively). The NTD of the IBV Gray strain at 1.3-A resolution exhibits a U-shaped structure, with two arms rich in basic residues, providing a module for specific interaction with RNA. The CTD forms a tightly intertwined dimer with an intermolecular four-stranded central beta-sheet platform flanked by alpha helices, indicating that the basic building block for coronavirus nucleocapsid formation is a dimeric assembly of N protein. The variety of quaternary arrangements of the NTD and CTD revealed by the analysis of the different crystal forms delineates possible interfaces that could be used for the formation of a flexible filamentous ribonucleocapsid. The striking similarity between the dimeric structure of CTD and the nucleocapsid-forming domain of a distantly related arterivirus indicates a conserved mechanism of nucleocapsid formation for these two viral families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hariharan Jayaram
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030-3498, USA
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Verma S, Bednar V, Blount A, Hogue BG. Identification of functionally important negatively charged residues in the carboxy end of mouse hepatitis coronavirus A59 nucleocapsid protein. J Virol 2006; 80:4344-55. [PMID: 16611893 PMCID: PMC1472032 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.80.9.4344-4355.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is a multifunctional viral gene product that encapsidates the RNA genome and also plays some as yet not fully defined role in viral RNA replication and/or transcription. A number of conserved negatively charged amino acids are located within domain III in the carboxy end of all coronavirus N proteins. Previous studies suggested that the negatively charged residues are involved in virus assembly by mediating interaction between the membrane (M) protein carboxy tail and nucleocapsids. To determine the importance of these negatively charged residues, a series of alanine and other charged-residue substitutions were introduced in place of those in the N gene within a mouse hepatitis coronavirus A59 infectious clone. Aspartic acid residues 440 and 441 were identified as functionally important. Viruses could not be isolated when both residues were replaced by positively charged amino acids. When either amino acid was replaced by a positively charged residue or both were changed to alanine, viruses were recovered that contained second-site changes within N, but not in the M or envelope protein. The compensatory role of the new changes was confirmed by the construction of new viruses. A few viruses were recovered that retained the D441-to-arginine change and no compensatory changes. These viruses exhibited a small-plaque phenotype and produced significantly less virus. Overall, results from our analysis of a large panel of plaque-purified recovered viruses indicate that the negatively charged residues at positions 440 and 441 are key residues that appear to be involved in virus assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Verma
- School of Life Sciences and The Biodesign Institute, P.O. Box 875401, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5401, USA
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Perlman S, Holmes KV. Importance of MHV-CoV A59 nucleocapsid protein COOH-terminal negative charges. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2006; 581:127-32. [PMID: 17037518 PMCID: PMC3764308 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-33012-9_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stanley Perlman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, 52242 Iowa City, IA USA
| | - Kathryn V. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at Fitzsimons, 80045-8333 Aurora, CO USA
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Hu H, Li L, Kao RY, Kou B, Wang Z, Zhang L, Zhang H, Hao Z, Tsui WH, Ni A, Cui L, Fan B, Guo F, Rao S, Jiang C, Li Q, Sun M, He W, Liu G. Screening and identification of linear B-cell epitopes and entry-blocking peptide of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus using synthetic overlapping peptide library. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 7:648-56. [PMID: 16153058 DOI: 10.1021/cc0500607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A 10-mer overlapping peptide library has been synthesized for screening and identification of linear B-cell epitopes of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which spanned the major structural proteins of SARS-CoV. One hundred and eleven candidate peptides were positive according to the result of PEPscan, which were assembled into 22 longer peptides. Five of these peptides showed high cross-immunoreactivities (approximately 66.7 to 90.5%) to SARS convalescent patients' sera from the severest epidemic regions of the China mainland. Most interestingly, S(471-503), a peptide located at the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV, could specifically block the binding between the RBD and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, resulting in the inhibition of SARS-CoV entrance into host cells in vitro. The study demonstrated that S(471-503) peptide was a potential immunoantigen for the development of peptide-based vaccine or a candidate for further drug evaluation against the SARS-CoV virus-cell fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Hu
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
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Jayaram J, Youn S, Collisson EW. The virion N protein of infectious bronchitis virus is more phosphorylated than the N protein from infected cell lysates. Virology 2005; 339:127-35. [PMID: 15979680 PMCID: PMC7111880 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2005.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2004] [Revised: 01/15/2005] [Accepted: 04/19/2005] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Because phosphorylation of the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) nucleocapsid protein (N) may regulate its multiple roles in viral replication, the dynamics of N phosphorylation were examined. 32P-orthophosphate labeling and Western blot analyses confirmed that N was the only viral protein that was phosphorylated. Pulse labeling with 32P-orthophosphate indicated that the IBV N protein was phosphorylated in the virion, as well as at all times during infection in either chicken embryo kidney cells or Vero cells. Pulse-chase analyses followed by immunoprecipitation of IBV N proteins using rabbit anti-IBV N polyclonal antibody demonstrated that the phosphate on the N protein was stable for at least 1 h. Simultaneous labeling with 32P-orthophosphate and 3H-leucine identified a 3.5-fold increase in the 32P:3H counts per minute (cpm) ratio of N in the virion as compared to the 32P:3H cpm ratio of N in the cell lysates from chicken embryo kidney cells, whereas in Vero cells the 32P:3H cpm ratio of N from the virion was 10.5-fold greater than the 32P:3H cpm ratio of N from the cell lysates. These studies are consistent with the phosphorylation of the IBV N playing a role in assembly or maturation of the viral particle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyothi Jayaram
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3258, USA
| | - Soonjeon Youn
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
| | - Ellen W. Collisson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
- Corresponding author. Fax: +1 979 862 1088.
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Schelle B, Karl N, Ludewig B, Siddell SG, Thiel V. Selective replication of coronavirus genomes that express nucleocapsid protein. J Virol 2005; 79:6620-30. [PMID: 15890900 PMCID: PMC1112145 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.11.6620-6630.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein is a structural protein that forms a ribonucleoprotein complex with genomic RNA. In addition to its structural role, it has been described as an RNA-binding protein that might be involved in coronavirus RNA synthesis. Here, we report a reverse genetic approach to elucidate the role of N in coronavirus replication and transcription. We found that human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) vector RNAs that lack the N gene were greatly impaired in their ability to replicate, whereas the transcription of subgenomic mRNA from these vectors was easily detectable. In contrast, vector RNAs encoding a functional N protein were able to carry out both replication and transcription. Furthermore, modification of the transcription signal required for the synthesis of N protein mRNAs in the HCoV-229E genome resulted in the selective replication of genomes that are able to express the N protein. This genetic evidence leads us to conclude that at least one coronavirus structural protein, the N protein, is involved in coronavirus replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Schelle
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Würzburg, Germany
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Yu IM, Gustafson CLT, Diao J, Burgner JW, Li Z, Zhang J, Chen J. Recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus nucleocapsid protein forms a dimer through its C-terminal domain. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:23280-6. [PMID: 15849181 PMCID: PMC8008353 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m501015200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is the SARS-associated coronavirus, SARS-CoV. The viral nucleocapsid (N) protein plays an essential role in viral RNA packaging. In this study, recombinant SARS-CoV N protein was shown to be dimeric by analytical ultracentrifugation, size exclusion chromatography coupled with light scattering, and chemical cross-linking. Dimeric N proteins self-associate into tetramers and higher molecular weight oligomers at high concentrations. The dimerization domain of N was mapped through studies of the oligomeric states of several truncated mutants. Although mutants consisting of residues 1–210 and 1–284 fold as monomers, constructs consisting of residues 211–422 and 285–422 efficiently form dimers. When in excess, the truncated construct 285–422 inhibits the homodimerization of full-length N protein by forming a heterodimer with the full-length N protein. These results suggest that the N protein oligomerization involves the C-terminal residues 285–422, and this region is a good target for mutagenic studies to disrupt N protein self-association and virion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Mei Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Cancer Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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Abstract
This chapter describes the interactions between the different structural components of the viruses and discusses their relevance for the process of virion formation. Two key factors determine the efficiency of the assembly process: intracellular transport and molecular interactions. Many viruses have evolved elaborate strategies to ensure the swift and accurate delivery of the virion components to the cellular compartment(s) where they must meet and form (sub) structures. Assembly of viruses starts in the nucleus by the encapsidation of viral DNA, using cytoplasmically synthesized capsid proteins; nucleocapsids then migrate to the cytosol, by budding at the inner nuclear membrane followed by deenvelopment, to pick up the tegument proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis A M de Haan
- Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Ning Q, Yan WM, Wang ZM, Xi D, Liu MF, Levy G, Luo XP. Domain I of nucleocapsid protein of murine hepatitis virus strain 3 upregulates transcription of mfgl2 prothrimbinase/fibroleukin gene. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2004; 12:594-599. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v12.i3.594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the responsible domain(s) of N protein and the I gene within the N gene of MHV-3 or MHV-A59 in the activation of mfgl2.
METHODS: To investigate the responsible domain(s) of N protein of MHV-3 or MHV-A59 in the activation of fgl2 gene, four ways comparison of the N protein was carried out and the site directed mutated N gene expression constructs within domain I and domain III were cotransfected respectively with mfgl2 promoter/luciferase reporter gene in CHO cells. Macrophages from Balb/cJ mice were infected with I gene mutated MHV virus Alb110 and its isogenic Alb111 for 8-10 hours, procoagulant activity (PCA) were measured. MHV-A59 I gene expression construct was cotransfected with mfgl2 promoter-reporter gene in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and luciferase activity was detected for the assessment of promoter function.
RESULTS: Mutations of residues Gly-12, Pro-38, Asn-40, Gln-41 and Asn42 within domain I of the N protein of MHV-A59 to their corresponding residues were found in MHV-2 abrogated mfgl2 transcription, whereas mutation of other N protein domain III did not affect mfgl2 gene transcription. Alb 110 and Alb 111 infected macrophages showed a remarkable increasing in PCA activity compared with no virus or MHV-2 or MHV-JHM infected macrophages. There was no significant difference in PCA activity between Alb 110, Alb 111 infected group and MHV-A59 group. Cotransfection I gene expression construct with a reporter construct containing mfgl2 promoter in CHO cells displayed no significant difference in luciferase activity compared with nontransfected CHO cells.
CONCLUSION: Domain I of nucleocapsid protein of murine hepatitis virus strain 3 upregulates the transcription of mfgl2 prothrimbinase/fibroleukin gene. The MHV-A59 I gene is not essential for activation of mfgl2 gene. Our study may shed lights on the investigation of current worldwide-distributed disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
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