1
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Park C, Kim K, Kim Y, Zhu R, Hain L, Seferovic H, Kim MH, Woo HJ, Hwang H, Lee SH, Kim S, Lee JE, Hinterdorfer P, Ko K, Park S, Oh YJ. Plant-Derived Anti-Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Antibody Suppresses Trastuzumab-Resistant Breast Cancer with Enhanced Nanoscale Binding. ACS NANO 2024; 18:16126-16140. [PMID: 38764224 PMCID: PMC11210341 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Traditional monoclonal antibodies such as Trastuzumab encounter limitations when treating Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, particularly in cases that develop resistance. This study introduces plant-derived anti-HER2 variable fragments of camelid heavy chain domain (VHH) fragment crystallizable region (Fc) KEDL(K) antibody as a potent alternative for overcoming these limitations. A variety of biophysical techniques, in vitro assays, and in vivo experiments uncover the antibody's nanoscale binding dynamics with transmembrane HER2 on living cells. Single-molecule force spectroscopy reveals the rapid formation of two robust bonds, exhibiting approximately 50 pN force resistance and bond lifetimes in the second range. The antibody demonstrates a specific affinity for HER2-positive breast cancer cells, including those that are Trastuzumab-resistant. Moreover, in immune-deficient mice, the plant-derived anti-HER2 VHH-FcK antibody exhibits superior antitumor activity, especially against tumors that are resistant to Trastuzumab. These findings underscore the plant-derived antibody's potential as an impactful immunotherapeutic strategy for treating Trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanyong Park
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan
University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Kibum Kim
- Department
of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Yerin Kim
- Department
of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Rong Zhu
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Lisa Hain
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Hannah Seferovic
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Min-Hyeok Kim
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan
University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Hyun Joo Woo
- Major
of Nano-Bioengineering, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea
| | - Hyunju Hwang
- Department
of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Seung Ho Lee
- Major
of Nano-Bioengineering, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea
| | - Sangmin Kim
- Department
of Breast Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Jeong Eon Lee
- Division
of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Peter Hinterdorfer
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Kisung Ko
- Department
of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Sungsu Park
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan
University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Yoo Jin Oh
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
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2
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Ding X, Xu C, Zheng B, Yu H, Zheng P. Molecular Mechanism of Interaction between DNA Aptamer and Receptor-Binding Domain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants Revealed by Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Molecules 2024; 29:2215. [PMID: 38792076 PMCID: PMC11124494 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for versatile and rapidly deployable antiviral strategies. While vaccines have been pivotal in controlling the spread of the virus, the emergence of new variants continues to pose significant challenges to global health. Here, our study focuses on a novel approach to antiviral therapy using DNA aptamers, short oligonucleotides with high specificity and affinity for their targets, as potential inhibitors against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants Omicron and JN.1. Our research utilizes steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations to elucidate the binding mechanisms of a specifically designed DNA aptamer, AM032-4, to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the aforementioned variants. The simulations reveal detailed molecular insights into the aptamer-RBD interaction, demonstrating the aptamer's potential to maintain effective binding in the face of rapid viral evolution. Our work not only demonstrates the dynamic interaction between aptamer-RBD for possible antiviral therapy but also introduces a computational method to study aptamer-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chao Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Hanyang Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Peng Zheng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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3
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Ray A, Minh Tran TT, Santos Natividade RD, Moreira RA, Simpson JD, Mohammed D, Koehler M, L Petitjean SJ, Zhang Q, Bureau F, Gillet L, Poma AB, Alsteens D. Single-Molecule Investigation of the Binding Interface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 Variants with ACE2. ACS NANOSCIENCE AU 2024; 4:136-145. [PMID: 38644967 PMCID: PMC11027127 DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.3c00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic spurred numerous research endeavors to comprehend the virus and mitigate its global severity. Understanding the binding interface between the virus and human receptors is pivotal to these efforts and paramount to curbing infection and transmission. Here we employ atomic force microscopy and steered molecular dynamics simulation to explore SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) variants and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), examining the impact of mutations at key residues upon binding affinity. Our results show that the Omicron and Delta variants possess strengthened binding affinity in comparison to the Mu variant. Further, using sera from individuals either vaccinated or with acquired immunity following Delta strain infection, we assess the impact of immunity upon variant RBD/ACE2 complex formation. Single-molecule force spectroscopy analysis suggests that vaccination before infection may provide stronger protection across variants. These results underscore the need to monitor antigenic changes in order to continue developing innovative and effective SARS-CoV-2 abrogation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Ray
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Thu Thi Minh Tran
- Faculty
of Materials Science and Technology, University
of Science—VNU HCM, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, 700000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam
National University, 700000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Rita dos Santos Natividade
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo A. Moreira
- Basque
Center for Applied Mathematics, Mazarredo 14, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Joshua D. Simpson
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Danahe Mohammed
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Melanie Koehler
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Simon J. L Petitjean
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Qingrong Zhang
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Fabrice Bureau
- Laboratory
of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, GIGA Institute, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Laurent Gillet
- Immunology-Vaccinology
Lab of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Adolfo B. Poma
- Institute
of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5B, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - David Alsteens
- Louvain
Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- WELBIO
department, WEL Research Institute, 1300 Wavre, Belgium
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4
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Bauer MS, Gruber S, Hausch A, Melo MCR, Gomes PSFC, Nicolaus T, Milles LF, Gaub HE, Bernardi RC, Lipfert J. Single-molecule force stability of the SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 interface in variants-of-concern. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:399-405. [PMID: 38012274 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01536-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 have shown effective evasion of population immunity and increased affinity to the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). However, in the dynamic environment of the respiratory tract, forces act on the binding partners, which raises the question of whether not only affinity but also force stability of the SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 interaction might be a selection factor for mutations. Using magnetic tweezers, we investigate the impact of amino acid substitutions in variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta) and on force-stability and bond kinetic of the receptor-binding domain-ACE2 interface at a single-molecule resolution. We find a higher affinity for all of the variants of concern (>fivefold) compared with the wild type. In contrast, Alpha is the only variant of concern that shows higher force stability (by 17%) compared with the wild type. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we rationalize the mechanistic molecular origins of this increase in force stability. Our study emphasizes the diversity of contributions to the transmissibility of variants and establishes force stability as one of the several factors for fitness. Understanding fitness advantages opens the possibility for the prediction of probable mutations, allowing a rapid adjustment of therapeutics, vaccines and intervention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus S Bauer
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sophia Gruber
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Adina Hausch
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Center for Protein Assemblies, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas Nicolaus
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lukas F Milles
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hermann E Gaub
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jan Lipfert
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Physics and Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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5
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Lan PD, Nissley DA, O’Brien EP, Nguyen TT, Li MS. Deciphering the free energy landscapes of SARS-CoV-2 wild type and Omicron variant interacting with human ACE2. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:055101. [PMID: 38310477 PMCID: PMC11223169 DOI: 10.1063/5.0188053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the first step in human viral infection. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of interaction between RBD and ACE2 at the molecular level is critical for the prevention of COVID-19, as more variants of concern, such as Omicron, appear. Recently, atomic force microscopy has been applied to characterize the free energy landscape of the RBD-ACE2 complex, including estimation of the distance between the transition state and the bound state, xu. Here, using a coarse-grained model and replica-exchange umbrella sampling, we studied the free energy landscape of both the wild type and Omicron subvariants BA.1 and XBB.1.5 interacting with ACE2. In agreement with experiment, we find that the wild type and Omicron subvariants have similar xu values, but Omicron binds ACE2 more strongly than the wild type, having a lower dissociation constant KD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel A. Nissley
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford Protein Bioinformatics Group, Oxford OX1 2JD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Toan T. Nguyen
- Key Laboratory for Multiscale Simulation of Complex Systems and Department of Theoretical Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Science, Vietnam National University - Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi 11400, Vietnam
| | - Mai Suan Li
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Hou D, Cao W, Kim S, Cui X, Ziarnik M, Im W, Zhang XF. Biophysical investigation of interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and neuropilin-1. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4773. [PMID: 37656811 PMCID: PMC10510470 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that neuropilin-1 (NRP1) may serve as a potential receptor in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, the biophysical characteristics of interactions between NRP1 and SARS-CoV-2 remain unclear. In this study, we examined the interactions between NRP1 and various SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) fragments, including the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the S protein trimer in a soluble form or expressed on pseudovirions, using atomic force microscopy and structural modeling. Our measurements shows that NRP1 interacts with the RBD and trimer at a higher binding frequency (BF) compared to ACE2. This NRP1-RBD interaction has also been predicted and simulated via AlphaFold2 and molecular dynamics simulations, and the results indicate that their binding patterns are very similar to RBD-ACE2 interactions. Additionally, under similar loading rates, the most probable unbinding forces between NRP1 and S trimer (both soluble form and on pseudovirions) are larger than the forces between NRP1 and RBD and between trimer and ACE2. Further analysis indicates that NRP1 has a stronger binding affinity to the SARS-CoV-2 S trimer with a dissociation rate of 0.87 s-1 , four times lower than the dissociation rate of 3.65 s-1 between NRP1 and RBD. Moreover, additional experiments show that RBD-neutralizing antibodies can significantly reduce the BF for both ACE2 and NRP1. Together, the study suggests that NRP1 can be an alternative receptor for SARS-CoV-2 attachment to human cells, and the neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 RBD can reduce the binding between SARS-CoV-2 and NRP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Decheng Hou
- Department of BioengineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Wenpeng Cao
- Department of BioengineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Seonghan Kim
- Department of BioengineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Department of BioengineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Matthew Ziarnik
- Department of BioengineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department of BioengineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Computer Science and EngineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemUSA
| | - X. Frank Zhang
- Department of BioengineeringLehigh UniversityBethlehemPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
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7
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Nguyen H, Nguyen HL, Lan PD, Thai NQ, Sikora M, Li MS. Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with host cells and antibodies: experiment and simulation. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:6497-6553. [PMID: 37650302 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01170g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic announced by WHO in March 2020. Through unprecedented scientific effort, several vaccines, drugs and antibodies have been developed, saving millions of lives, but the fight against COVID-19 continues as immune escape variants of concern such as Delta and Omicron emerge. To develop more effective treatments and to elucidate the side effects caused by vaccines and therapeutic agents, a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with them and human cells is required. With special interest in computational approaches, we will focus on the structure of SARS-CoV-2 and the interaction of its spike protein with human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a prime entry point of the virus into host cells. In addition, other possible viral receptors will be considered. The fusion of viral and human membranes and the interaction of the spike protein with antibodies and nanobodies will be discussed, as well as the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on protein synthesis in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Nguyen
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Hoang Linh Nguyen
- Institute of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Pham Dang Lan
- Life Science Lab, Institute for Computational Science and Technology, Quang Trung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep Ward, District 12, 729110 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-University of Science, 227, Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, 749000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Quoc Thai
- Dong Thap University, 783 Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 6, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap, Vietnam
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mai Suan Li
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
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8
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Andany SH, Nievergelt AP, Kangül M, Ziegler D, Fantner GE. A high-bandwidth voltage amplifier for driving piezoelectric actuators in high-speed atomic force microscopy. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2023; 94:093703. [PMID: 37695116 DOI: 10.1063/5.0159728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
High-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) is a technique capable of revealing the dynamics of biomolecules and living organisms at the nanoscale with a remarkable temporal resolution. The phase delay in the feedback loop dictates the achievable speed of HS-AFM instruments that rely on fast nanopositioners operated predominantly in conjunction with piezoelectric actuators (PEAs). The high capacitance and high operating voltage of PEAs make them difficult to drive. The limited bandwidth of associated high-voltage piezo-amplifiers is one of the bottlenecks to higher scan speeds. In this study, we report a high-voltage, wideband voltage amplifier comprised of a separate amplification and novel voltage-follower power stage, requiring no global feedback. The reported amplifier can deliver a current over ±2 amps, offers a small-signal bandwidth of 1 MHz, and exhibits an exceptionally low phase lag, making it particularly well suited for the needs of next-generation HS-AFMs. We demonstrate its capabilities by reporting its achievable bandwidth under various PEA loads and showcasing its merit for HS-AFM by imaging tubulin protofilament dynamics at sub-second frame rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago H Andany
- Laboratory for Bio- and Nano-Instrumentation, School of Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Adrian P Nievergelt
- Laboratory for Bio- and Nano-Instrumentation, School of Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Mustafa Kangül
- Laboratory for Bio- and Nano-Instrumentation, School of Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Ziegler
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Georg E Fantner
- Laboratory for Bio- and Nano-Instrumentation, School of Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
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9
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Verkhivker G, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P. Probing conformational landscapes of binding and allostery in the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant complexes using microsecond atomistic simulations and perturbation-based profiling approaches: hidden role of omicron mutations as modulators of allosteric signaling and epistatic relationships. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:21245-21266. [PMID: 37548589 PMCID: PMC10536792 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02042h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we systematically examine the conformational dynamics, binding and allosteric communications in the Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4/BA.5 spike protein complexes with the ACE2 host receptor using molecular dynamics simulations and perturbation-based network profiling approaches. Microsecond atomistic simulations provided a detailed characterization of the conformational landscapes and revealed the increased thermodynamic stabilization of the BA.2 variant which can be contrasted with the BA.4/BA.5 variants inducing a significant mobility of the complexes. Using the dynamics-based mutational scanning of spike residues, we identified structural stability and binding affinity hotspots in the Omicron complexes. Perturbation response scanning and network-based mutational profiling approaches probed the effect of the Omicron mutations on allosteric interactions and communications in the complexes. The results of this analysis revealed specific roles of Omicron mutations as conformationally plastic and evolutionary adaptable modulators of binding and allostery which are coupled to the major regulatory positions through interaction networks. Through perturbation network scanning of allosteric residue potentials in the Omicron variant complexes performed in the background of the original strain, we characterized regions of epistatic couplings that are centered around the binding affinity hotspots N501Y and Q498R. Our results dissected the vital role of these epistatic centers in regulating protein stability, efficient ACE2 binding and allostery which allows for accumulation of multiple Omicron immune escape mutations at other sites. Through integrative computational approaches, this study provides a systematic analysis of the effects of Omicron mutations on thermodynamics, binding and allosteric signaling in the complexes with ACE2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
| | - Sian Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 75275, USA.
| | - Peng Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 75275, USA.
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10
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Rahman MS, Han MJ, Kim SW, Kang SM, Kim BR, Kim H, Lee CJ, Noh JE, Kim H, Lee JO, Jang SK. Structure-Guided Development of Bivalent Aptamers Blocking SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Molecules 2023; 28:4645. [PMID: 37375202 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124645] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused devastation to human society through its high virulence, infectivity, and genomic mutations, which reduced the efficacy of vaccines. Here, we report the development of aptamers that effectively interfere with SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting its spike protein, which plays a pivotal role in host cell entry of the virus through interaction with the viral receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). To develop highly effective aptamers and to understand their mechanism in inhibiting viral infection, we determined the three-dimensional (3D) structures of aptamer/receptor-binding domain (RBD) complexes using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Moreover, we developed bivalent aptamers targeting two distinct regions of the RBD in the spike protein that directly interact with ACE2. One aptamer interferes with the binding of ACE2 by blocking the ACE2-binding site in RBD, and the other aptamer allosterically inhibits ACE2 by binding to a distinct face of RBD. Using the 3D structures of aptamer-RBD complexes, we minimized and optimized these aptamers. By combining the optimized aptamers, we developed a bivalent aptamer that showed a stronger inhibitory effect on virus infection than the component aptamers. This study confirms that the structure-based aptamer-design approach has a high potential in developing antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jung Han
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Won Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Mu Kang
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Ri Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Heesun Kim
- Division of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Jun Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Eun Noh
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanseong Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jie-Oh Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Key Jang
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
- Division of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
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11
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Suh S, Xing Y, Rottensteiner A, Zhu R, Oh YJ, Howorka S, Hinterdorfer P. Molecular Recognition in Confined Space Elucidated with DNA Nanopores and Single-Molecule Force Microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:4439-4447. [PMID: 37166380 PMCID: PMC10214486 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The binding of ligands to receptors within a nanoscale small space is relevant in biology, biosensing, and affinity filtration. Binding in confinement can be studied with biological systems but under the limitation that essential parameters cannot be easily controlled including receptor type and position within the confinement and its dimensions. Here we study molecular recognition with a synthetic confined nanopore with controllable pore dimension and molecular DNA receptors at different depth positions within the channel. Binding of a complementary DNA strand is studied at the single-molecule level with atomic force microscopy. Following the analysis, kinetic association rates are lower for receptors positioned deeper inside the pore lumen while dissociation is faster and requires less force. The phenomena are explained by the steric constraints on molecular interactions in confinement. Our study is the first to explore recognition in DNA nanostructures with atomic force microscopy and lays out new tools to further quantify the effect of nanoconfinement on molecular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saanfor
Hubert Suh
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Johannes
Kepler University Linz, Institute of Biophysics, Gruberstr. 40, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Yongzheng Xing
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London,
Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H OAJ, United Kingdom
| | - Alexia Rottensteiner
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London,
Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H OAJ, United Kingdom
| | - Rong Zhu
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Johannes
Kepler University Linz, Institute of Biophysics, Gruberstr. 40, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Yoo Jin Oh
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Johannes
Kepler University Linz, Institute of Biophysics, Gruberstr. 40, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Stefan Howorka
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London,
Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H OAJ, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hinterdorfer
- Department
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Johannes
Kepler University Linz, Institute of Biophysics, Gruberstr. 40, 4020 Linz, Austria
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12
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Verkhivker G, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P. Probing Conformational Landscapes of Binding and Allostery in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Complexes Using Microsecond Atomistic Simulations and Perturbation-Based Profiling Approaches: Hidden Role of Omicron Mutations as Modulators of Allosteric Signaling and Epistatic Relationships. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.03.539337. [PMID: 37205479 PMCID: PMC10187228 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.03.539337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we systematically examine the conformational dynamics, binding and allosteric communications in the Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4/BA.5 complexes with the ACE2 host receptor using molecular dynamics simulations and perturbation-based network profiling approaches. Microsecond atomistic simulations provided a detailed characterization of the conformational landscapes and revealed the increased thermodynamic stabilization of the BA.2 variant which is contrasted with the BA.4/BA.5 variants inducing a significant mobility of the complexes. Using ensemble-based mutational scanning of binding interactions, we identified binding affinity and structural stability hotspots in the Omicron complexes. Perturbation response scanning and network-based mutational profiling approaches probed the effect of the Omicron variants on allosteric communications. The results of this analysis revealed specific roles of Omicron mutations as "plastic and evolutionary adaptable" modulators of binding and allostery which are coupled to the major regulatory positions through interaction networks. Through perturbation network scanning of allosteric residue potentials in the Omicron variant complexes, which is performed in the background of the original strain, we identified that the key Omicron binding affinity hotspots N501Y and Q498R could mediate allosteric interactions and epistatic couplings. Our results suggested that the synergistic role of these hotspots in controlling stability, binding and allostery can enable for compensatory balance of fitness tradeoffs with conformationally and evolutionary adaptable immune-escape Omicron mutations. Through integrative computational approaches, this study provides a systematic analysis of the effects of Omicron mutations on thermodynamics, binding and allosteric signaling in the complexes with ACE2 receptor. The findings support a mechanism in which Omicron mutations can evolve to balance thermodynamic stability and conformational adaptability in order to ensure proper tradeoff between stability, binding and immune escape.
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13
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Izadi S, Vavra U, Melnik S, Grünwald-Gruber C, Föderl-Höbenreich E, Sack M, Zatloukal K, Glössl J, Stöger E, Mach L, Castilho A, Strasser R. In planta deglycosylation improves the SARS-CoV-2 neutralization activity of recombinant ACE2-Fc. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1180044. [PMID: 37207124 PMCID: PMC10190127 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1180044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infects human cells via binding of the viral spike glycoprotein to its main cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The spike protein-ACE2 receptor interaction is therefore a major target for the development of therapeutic or prophylactic drugs to combat coronavirus infections. Various engineered soluble ACE2 variants (decoys) have been designed and shown to exhibit virus neutralization capacity in cell-based assays and in vivo models. Human ACE2 is heavily glycosylated and some of its glycans impair binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Therefore, glycan-engineered recombinant soluble ACE2 variants might display enhanced virus-neutralization potencies. Here, we transiently co-expressed the extracellular domain of ACE2 fused to human Fc (ACE2-Fc) with a bacterial endoglycosidase in Nicotiana benthamiana to produce ACE2-Fc decorated with N-glycans consisting of single GlcNAc residues. The endoglycosidase was targeted to the Golgi apparatus with the intention to avoid any interference of glycan removal with concomitant ACE2-Fc protein folding and quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum. The in vivo deglycosylated ACE2-Fc carrying single GlcNAc residues displayed increased affinity to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 as well as improved virus neutralization activity and thus is a promising drug candidate to block coronavirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Izadi
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Vavra
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stanislav Melnik
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Grünwald-Gruber
- Core Facility Mass Spectrometry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Kurt Zatloukal
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Josef Glössl
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Stöger
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Castilho
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Strasser
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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