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Escalera A, Laporte M, Turner S, Karakus U, Gonzalez-Reiche AS, van de Guchte A, Farrugia K, Khalil Z, van Bakel H, Smith D, García-Sastre A, Aydillo T. The impact of S2 mutations on Omicron SARS-CoV-2 cell surface expression and fusogenicity. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2297553. [PMID: 38112266 PMCID: PMC10866063 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2297553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants are still emerging and spreading worldwide. These variants contain a high number of polymorphisms in the spike (S) glycoprotein that could potentially impact their pathogenicity and transmission. We have previously shown that the S:655Y and P681H mutations enhance S protein cleavage and syncytia formation. Interestingly, these polymorphisms are present in Omicron S protein. Here, we characterized the cleavage efficiency and fusogenicity of the S protein of different Omicron sublineages. Our results showed that Omicron BA.1 subvariant is efficiently cleaved but it is poorly fusogenic compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 strains. To understand the basis of this phenotype, we generated chimeric S protein using combinations of the S1 and S2 domains from WA1, Delta and Omicron BA.1 variants. We found that the S2 domain of Omicron BA.1 hindered efficient cell-cell fusion. Interestingly, this domain only contains six unique polymorphisms never detected before in ancestral SARS-CoV-2 variants. WA1614G S proteins containing the six individuals S2 Omicron mutations were assessed for their fusogenicity and S surface expression after transfection in cells. Results showed that the S:N856K and N969K substitutions decreased syncytia formation and impacted S protein cell surface levels. However, we observed that "first-generation" Omicron sublineages that emerged subsequently, had convergently evolved to an enhanced fusogenic activity and S expression on the surface of infected cells while "second-generation" Omicron variants have highly diverged and showed lineage-specific fusogenic properties. Importantly, our findings could have potential implications in the improvement and redesign of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Escalera
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Manon Laporte
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sam Turner
- Center for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Umut Karakus
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana S. Gonzalez-Reiche
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adriana van de Guchte
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Keith Farrugia
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zain Khalil
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harm van Bakel
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Derek Smith
- Center for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Teresa Aydillo
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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2
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Chandy S, Kumar H, Pearl S, Basu S, M G, Sankar J, Manoharan A, Ramaiah S, Anbarasu A. Whole genome analysis reveals unique traits of SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric patients. Gene 2024; 919:148508. [PMID: 38670399 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to challenge the global healthcare with emerging variants and higher infectivity as well as morbidities. This study investigated potential age-related variations through genomic characterization of the virus under common clinical settings. A cohort comprising 71 SARS-CoV-2 strains from both infected infants and accompanying adults, diagnosed via RT-PCR at a tertiary pediatric hospital and research center, underwent Illumina paired-end sequencing. The subsequent analysis involved standard genomic screening, phylogeny construction, and mutational analyses. The analyzed SARSCoV- 2 strains were compared with globally circulating variants. The overall distribution revealed 67.61 % Delta, 25.7 % Omicron, and 1 % either Kappa or Alpha variants. In 2021, Delta predominated at ∼ 94 %, with Alpha/Kappa accounting for around 5 %. However, in 2022, over 94 % of the samples were Omicron variants, signifying a substantial shift from Delta dominance. Delta variants constituted 69.5 % of infections in adults and 78.5 % in infants, while Omicron variants were responsible for 31 % of cases in infants and 18 % in adults. The Spike region harbored the majority of mutations, with T19R being the most prevalent mutation in the Delta lineage. Notably, the frequencies of this mutation varied between infants and adults. In Omicron samples, G142D emerged as the most prevalent mutation. Our dataset predominantly featured clade 21A and lineage B.1.617.2. This study underscores the differential clinical presentations and genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric patients and accompanying adults. Understanding the dynamic evolution of the SARS- CoV-2 in both pediatric and adults can help in strengthening prophylactic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Chandy
- The CHILDS Trust Medical Research Foundation (CTMRF), 12-A, Nageswara Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Hithesh Kumar
- Department of Bio-Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India; Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, SBST, VIT, Vellore 632014, India
| | - Sara Pearl
- Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, SBST, VIT, Vellore 632014, India; Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Soumya Basu
- Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, SBST, VIT, Vellore 632014, India; Department of Biotechnology, NIST University, Berhampore 761008, India
| | - Gurumoorthy M
- The CHILDS Trust Medical Research Foundation (CTMRF), 12-A, Nageswara Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Janani Sankar
- The CHILDS Trust Medical Research Foundation (CTMRF), 12-A, Nageswara Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anand Manoharan
- Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital (KKCTH), 12-A, Nageswara Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sudha Ramaiah
- Department of Bio-Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India; Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, SBST, VIT, Vellore 632014, India
| | - Anand Anbarasu
- Medical and Biological Computing Laboratory, SBST, VIT, Vellore 632014, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India.
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3
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Bilotti K, Keep S, Sikkema AP, Pryor JM, Kirk J, Foldes K, Doyle N, Wu G, Freimanis G, Dowgier G, Adeyemi O, Tabatabaei SK, Lohman GJS, Bickerton E. One-pot Golden Gate Assembly of an avian infectious bronchitis virus reverse genetics system. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307655. [PMID: 39052682 PMCID: PMC11271894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian infectious bronchitis is an acute respiratory disease of poultry of particular concern for global food security. Investigation of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the causative agent of avian infectious bronchitis, via reverse genetics enables deeper understanding of virus biology and a rapid response to emerging variants. Classic methods of reverse genetics for IBV can be time consuming, rely on recombination for the introduction of mutations, and, depending on the system, can be subject to genome instability and unreliable success rates. In this study, we have applied data-optimized Golden Gate Assembly design to create a rapidly executable, flexible, and faithful reverse genetics system for IBV. The IBV genome was divided into 12 fragments at high-fidelity fusion site breakpoints. All fragments were synthetically produced and propagated in E. coli plasmids, amenable to standard molecular biology techniques for DNA manipulation. The assembly can be carried out in a single reaction, with the products used directly in subsequent viral rescue steps. We demonstrate the use of this system for generation of point mutants and gene replacements. This Golden Gate Assembly-based reverse genetics system will enable rapid response to emerging variants of IBV, particularly important to vaccine development for controlling spread within poultry populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Bilotti
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah Keep
- The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Sikkema
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John M. Pryor
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James Kirk
- The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Ge Wu
- The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
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4
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Pan R, Li P, Meyerholz DK, Perlman S. Mutations in nonstructural proteins essential for pathogenicity in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. J Virol 2024; 98:e0058424. [PMID: 38888344 PMCID: PMC11265370 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00584-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality. The basis of severe disease in humans is difficult to determine without the use of experimental animal models. Mice are resistant to infection with ancestral strains of SARS-CoV-2, although many variants that arose later in the pandemic were able to directly infect mice. In almost all cases, viruses that naturally infected mice or were engineered to enable mouse infection required mouse passage to become virulent. In most cases, changes in structural and nonstructural changes occurred during mouse adaptation. However, the mechanism of increased virulence in mice is not understood. Here, using a recently described strain of mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 (rSARS2-MA30N501Y), we engineered a series of recombinant viruses that expressed a subset of the mutations present in rSARS2-MA30N501Y. Mutations were detected in the spike protein and in three nonstructural proteins (nsp4, nsp8, and nsp9). We found that infection of mice with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 expressing only the S protein mutations caused very mild infection. Addition of the mutations in nsp4 and nsp8 was required for complete virulence. Of note, all these recombinant viruses replicated equivalently in cultured cells. The innate immune response was delayed after infection with virulent compared to attenuated viruses. Further, using a lineage tracking system, we found that attenuated virus was highly inhibited in the ability to infect the parenchyma, but not the airway after infection. Together, these results indicate that mutations in both the S protein and nonstructural proteins are required for maximal virulence during mouse adaptation.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requires the study of experimental animals after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). For this purpose, several mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strains have been developed. Here, using a strain of mouse-adapted virus that causes a range of diseases ranging from mild to severe, we show that mutations in both a structural protein [spike (S) protein] and nonstructural proteins are required for maximal virulence. Thus, changes in the S protein, the most widely studied viral protein, while required for mouse adaptation, are not sufficient to result in a virulent virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruangang Pan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Pengfei Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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5
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Davies JP, Plate L. The glycoprotein quality control factor Malectin promotes coronavirus replication and viral protein biogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.02.597051. [PMID: 38895409 PMCID: PMC11185542 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.02.597051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoV) rewire host protein homeostasis (proteostasis) networks through interactions between viral nonstructural proteins (nsps) and host factors to promote infection. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, it is imperative to characterize host interactors shared across nsp homologs. Using quantitative proteomics and functional genetic screening, we identify conserved proteostasis interactors of nsp2 and nsp4 that serve pro-viral roles during infection of murine hepatitis virus - a model betacoronavirus. We uncover a glycoprotein quality control factor, Malectin (MLEC), which significantly reduces infectious titers when knocked down. During infection, nsp2 interacts with MLEC-associated proteins and the MLEC-interactome is drastically altered, stabilizing association with the Oligosaccheryltransferase (OST) complex, a crucial component of viral glycoprotein production. MLEC promotes viral protein levels and genome replication through its quality control activity. Lastly, we show MLEC promotes SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our results reveal a role for MLEC in mediating CoV infection and identify a potential target for pan-CoV antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P. Davies
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235
- Vanderbilt Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Nashville, TN, 37235
| | - Lars Plate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235
- Vanderbilt Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Nashville, TN, 37235
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37235
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6
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Saunders N, Monel B, Cayet N, Archetti L, Moreno H, Jeanne A, Marguier A, Buchrieser J, Wai T, Schwartz O, Fréchin M. Dynamic label-free analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals virus-induced subcellular remodeling. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4996. [PMID: 38862527 PMCID: PMC11166935 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49260-7] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Assessing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on organelle dynamics allows a better understanding of the mechanisms of viral replication. We combine label-free holotomographic microscopy with Artificial Intelligence to visualize and quantify the subcellular changes triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. We study the dynamics of shape, position and dry mass of nucleoli, nuclei, lipid droplets and mitochondria within hundreds of single cells from early infection to syncytia formation and death. SARS-CoV-2 infection enlarges nucleoli, perturbs lipid droplets, changes mitochondrial shape and dry mass, and separates lipid droplets from mitochondria. We then used Bayesian network modeling on organelle dry mass states to define organelle cross-regulation networks and report modifications of organelle cross-regulation that are triggered by infection and syncytia formation. Our work highlights the subcellular remodeling induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and provides an Artificial Intelligence-enhanced, label-free methodology to study in real-time the dynamics of cell populations and their content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nell Saunders
- Virus & Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR 3569, Paris, France
| | - Blandine Monel
- Virus & Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR 3569, Paris, France
| | - Nadège Cayet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Ultrastructural Bioimaging Unit, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Archetti
- Deep Quantitative Biology Department, Nanolive SA, Tolochenaz, Switzerland
| | - Hugo Moreno
- Deep Quantitative Biology Department, Nanolive SA, Tolochenaz, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Jeanne
- Deep Quantitative Biology Department, Nanolive SA, Tolochenaz, Switzerland
| | - Agathe Marguier
- Deep Quantitative Biology Department, Nanolive SA, Tolochenaz, Switzerland
| | - Julian Buchrieser
- Virus & Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR 3569, Paris, France
| | - Timothy Wai
- Mitochondrial Biology Group, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR 3691, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Schwartz
- Virus & Immunity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, UMR 3569, Paris, France.
- Vaccine Research Institute, Creteil, France.
| | - Mathieu Fréchin
- Deep Quantitative Biology Department, Nanolive SA, Tolochenaz, Switzerland.
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7
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Han Y, Yuan Z, Yi Z. Identification of a membrane-associated element (MAE) in the C-terminal region of SARS-CoV-2 nsp6 that is essential for viral replication. J Virol 2024; 98:e0034924. [PMID: 38639488 PMCID: PMC11092323 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00349-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread worldwide since its emergence in late 2019. Its ongoing evolution poses challenges for antiviral drug development. Coronavirus nsp6, a multiple-spanning transmembrane protein, participates in the biogenesis of the viral replication complex, which accommodates the viral replication-transcription complex. The roles of its structural domains in viral replication are not well studied. Herein, we predicted the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp6 protein using AlphaFold2 and identified a highly folded C-terminal region (nsp6C) downstream of the transmembrane helices. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-fused nsp6C was found to cluster in the cytoplasm and associate with membranes. Functional mapping identified a minimal membrane-associated element (MAE) as the region from amino acids 237 to 276 (LGV-KLL), which is mainly composed of the α-helix H1 and the α-helix H2; the latter exhibits characteristics of an amphipathic helix (AH). Mutagenesis studies and membrane flotation experiments demonstrate that AH-like H2 is required for MAE-mediated membrane association. This MAE was functionally conserved across MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-NL63, all capable of mediating membrane association. In a SARS-CoV-2 replicon system, mutagenesis studies of H2 and replacements of H1 and H2 with their homologous counterparts demonstrated requirements of residues on both sides of the H2 and properly paired H1-H2 for MAE-mediated membrane association and viral replication. Notably, mutations I266A and K274A significantly attenuated viral replication without dramatically affecting membrane association, suggesting a dual role of the MAE in viral replication: mediating membrane association as well as participating in protein-protein interactions.IMPORTANCESevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) assembles a double-membrane vesicle (DMV) by the viral non-structural proteins for viral replication. Understanding the mechanisms of the DMV assembly is of paramount importance for antiviral development. Nsp6, a multiple-spanning transmembrane protein, plays an important role in the DMV biogenesis. Herein, we predicted the nsp6 structure of SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronaviruses using AlphaFold2 and identified a putative membrane-associated element (MAE) in the highly conserved C-terminal regions of nsp6. Experimentally, we verified a functionally conserved minimal MAE composed of two α-helices, the H1, and the amphipathic helix-like H2. Mutagenesis studies confirmed the requirement of H2 for MAE-mediated membrane association and viral replication and demonstrated a dual role of the MAE in viral replication, by mediating membrane association and participating in residue-specific interactions. This functionally conserved MAE may serve as a novel anti-viral target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Han
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Yi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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8
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Chen W, Jiang X, Liang W, Bai H, Xu M, Liu Z, Yi L, Liu Y, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Xu L, Xie B, Zhang N, Yu J, Lu J, Xiao H, Li X. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants Show Attenuated Neurovirulence Compared with the Wild-Type Strain in Elderly Human Brain Spheroids. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 7:0376. [PMID: 38741604 PMCID: PMC11089278 DOI: 10.34133/research.0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants still causes neurological complications in elderly individuals. However, whether and how aging brains are affected by Omicron variants in terms of neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence are unknown. Here, we utilize resected paracarcinoma brain tissue from elderly individuals to generate primary brain spheroids (BSs) for investigating the replication capability of live wild-type (WT) strain and Omicron (BA.1/BA.2), as well as the mechanisms underlying their neurobiological effects. We find that both WT and Omicron BA.1/BA.2 are able to enter BSs but weakly replicate. There is no difference between Omicron BA.1/BA.2 and WT strains in neurotropism in aging BSs. However, Omicron BA.1/BA.2 exhibits ameliorating neurological damage. Transcriptional profiling indicates that Omicron BA.1/BA.2 induces a lower neuroinflammatory response than WT strain in elderly BSs, suggesting a mechanistic explanation for their attenuated neuropathogenicity. Moreover, we find that both Omicron BA.1/BA.2 and WT strain infections disrupt neural network activity associated with neurodegenerative disorders by causing neuron degeneration and amyloid-β deposition in elderly BSs. These results uncover Omicron-specific mechanisms and cellular immune responses associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced neurological complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Xiaobing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China,
Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Haojie Bai
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Mingze Xu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Institution of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Lina Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Institution of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yanming Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yanxia Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yongxin Zhang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Lixia Xu
- Department of Oncology,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Baoshu Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Institution of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Xiaoxing Li
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
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9
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Ogger PP, Martín MG, Jang S, Zhou J, Brown J, Sukhova K, Furnon W, Patel AH, Cowton V, Palmarini M, Barclay WS, Johansson C. SARS-CoV-2 strains bearing Omicron BA.1 spike replicate in C57BL/6 mice. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1383612. [PMID: 38742107 PMCID: PMC11089223 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID pandemic, is an RNA virus with a high propensity to mutate. Successive virus variants, including variants of concern (VOC), have emerged with increased transmission or immune escape. The original pandemic virus and early variants replicated poorly, if at all, in mice at least partly due to a mismatch between the receptor binding domain on the viral spike protein and the murine angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Omicron VOC emerged in late 2021 harboring > 50 new mutations, 35 of them in the spike protein. This variant resulted in a very large wave of infections, even in the face of prior immunity, albeit being inherently less severe than earlier variants. Reflecting the lower severity reported in humans, Omicron displayed attenuated infection in hamsters and also in the K18-hACE2 mouse model. K18-hACE2 mice express both the human ACE2 as well as the endogenous mouse ACE2. Methods Here we infected hACE2 knock-in mice that express only human ACE2 and no murine ACE2, or C57BL/6 wildtype mice with SARS-CoV-2 D614G (first-wave isolate), Delta or Omicron BA.1 variants and assessed infectivity and downstream innate immune responses. Results While replication of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron was lower in the lungs of hACE2 knock-in mice compared with SARS-CoV-2 D614G and VOC Delta, it replicated more efficiently than the earlier variants in C57BL/6 wildtype mice. This opens the opportunity to test the effect of host genetics on SARS-CoV-2 infections in wildtype mice. As a proof of principle, we tested Omicron infection in mice lacking expression of the interferon-alpha receptor-1 (IFNAR1). In these mice we found that loss of type I IFN receptor signaling resulted in higher viral loads in the lungs were detected. Finally, using a chimeric virus of first wave SARS-CoV-2 harboring the Omicron spike protein, we show that Omicron spike increase infection of C57BL/6 wildtype mice, but non-spike genes of Omicron confer attenuation of viral replication. Discussion Since this chimeric virus efficiently infected C57BL/6 wildtype mice, and replicated in their lungs, our findings illustrate a pathway for genetic mapping of virushost interactions during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia P. Ogger
- Section of Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Minerva Garcia Martín
- Section of Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Soyeon Jang
- Section of Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Brown
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ksenia Sukhova
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wilhelm Furnon
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Cowton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Palmarini
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy S. Barclay
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Johansson
- Section of Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Wu G, Li Q, Dai J, Mao G, Ma Y. Design and Application of Biosafe Coronavirus Engineering Systems without Virulence. Viruses 2024; 16:659. [PMID: 38793541 PMCID: PMC11126016 DOI: 10.3390/v16050659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last twenty years, three deadly zoonotic coronaviruses (CoVs)-namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2-have emerged. They are considered highly pathogenic for humans, particularly SARS-CoV-2, which caused the 2019 CoV disease pandemic (COVID-19), endangering the lives and health of people globally and causing unpredictable economic losses. Experiments on wild-type viruses require biosafety level 3 or 4 laboratories (BSL-3 or BSL-4), which significantly hinders basic virological research. Therefore, the development of various biosafe CoV systems without virulence is urgently needed to meet the requirements of different research fields, such as antiviral and vaccine evaluation. This review aimed to comprehensively summarize the biosafety of CoV engineering systems. These systems combine virological foundations with synthetic genomics techniques, enabling the development of efficient tools for attenuated or non-virulent vaccines, the screening of antiviral drugs, and the investigation of the pathogenic mechanisms of novel microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; (G.W.); (Q.L.); (J.D.)
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Qiaoyu Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; (G.W.); (Q.L.); (J.D.)
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Junbiao Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; (G.W.); (Q.L.); (J.D.)
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Guobin Mao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; (G.W.); (Q.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Yingxin Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; (G.W.); (Q.L.); (J.D.)
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11
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Hsia JZ, Liu D, Haynes L, Cruz-Cosme R, Tang Q. Lipid Droplets: Formation, Degradation, and Their Role in Cellular Responses to Flavivirus Infections. Microorganisms 2024; 12:647. [PMID: 38674592 PMCID: PMC11051834 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040647] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are cellular organelles derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), serving as lipid storage sites crucial for maintaining cellular lipid homeostasis. Recent attention has been drawn to their roles in viral replication and their interactions with viruses. However, the precise biological functions of LDs in viral replication and pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. To elucidate the interaction between LDs and viruses, it is imperative to comprehend the biogenesis of LDs and their dynamic interactions with other organelles. In this review, we explore the intricate pathways involved in LD biogenies within the cytoplasm, encompassing the uptake of fatty acid from nutrients facilitated by CD36-mediated membranous protein (FABP/FATP)-FA complexes, and FA synthesis via glycolysis in the cytoplasm and the TCL cycle in mitochondria. While LD biogenesis primarily occurs in the ER, matured LDs are intricately linked to multiple organelles. Viral infections can lead to diverse consequences in terms of LD status within cells post-infection, potentially involving the breakdown of LDs through the activation of lipophagy. However, the exact mechanisms underlying LD destruction or accumulation by viruses remain elusive. The significance of LDs in viral replication renders them effective targets for developing broad-spectrum antivirals. Moreover, considering that reducing neutral lipids in LDs is a strategy for anti-obesity treatment, LD depletion may not pose harm to cells. This presents LDs as promising antiviral targets for developing therapeutics that are minimally or non-toxic to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Qiyi Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20059, USA; (J.Z.H.); (D.L.); (L.H.); (R.C.-C.)
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12
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Liu W, Huang Z, Xiao J, Wu Y, Xia N, Yuan Q. Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants: Genetic Impact on Viral Fitness. Viruses 2024; 16:184. [PMID: 38399960 PMCID: PMC10893260 DOI: 10.3390/v16020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last three years, the pandemic of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on people's lives and the global economy. The incessant emergence of variant strains has compounded the challenges associated with the management of COVID-19. As the predominant variant from late 2021 to the present, Omicron and its sublineages, through continuous evolution, have demonstrated iterative viral fitness. The comprehensive elucidation of the biological implications that catalyzed this evolution remains incomplete. In accordance with extant research evidence, we provide a comprehensive review of subvariants of Omicron, delineating alterations in immune evasion, cellular infectivity, and the cross-species transmission potential. This review seeks to clarify the underpinnings of biology within the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, thereby providing a foundation for strategic considerations in the post-pandemic era of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China; (W.L.); (N.X.)
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zehong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China; (W.L.); (N.X.)
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China; (W.L.); (N.X.)
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yangtao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China; (W.L.); (N.X.)
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China; (W.L.); (N.X.)
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China; (W.L.); (N.X.)
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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13
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Hu B, Chan JFW, Liu Y, Liu H, Chen YX, Shuai H, Hu YF, Hartnoll M, Chen L, Xia Y, Hu JC, Yuen TTT, Yoon C, Hou Y, Huang X, Chai Y, Zhu T, Shi J, Wang Y, He Y, Cai JP, Zhou J, Yuan S, Zhang J, Huang JD, Yuen KY, To KKW, Zhang BZ, Chu H. Divergent trajectory of replication and intrinsic pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron post-BA.2/5 subvariants in the upper and lower respiratory tract. EBioMedicine 2024; 99:104916. [PMID: 38101297 PMCID: PMC10733096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Earlier Omicron subvariants including BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5 emerged in waves, with a subvariant replacing the previous one every few months. More recently, the post-BA.2/5 subvariants have acquired convergent substitutions in spike that facilitated their escape from humoral immunity and gained ACE2 binding capacity. However, the intrinsic pathogenicity and replication fitness of the evaluated post-BA.2/5 subvariants are not fully understood. METHODS We systemically investigated the replication fitness and intrinsic pathogenicity of representative post-BA.2/5 subvariants (BL.1, BQ.1, BQ.1.1, XBB.1, CH.1.1, and XBB.1.5) in weanling (3-4 weeks), adult (8-10 weeks), and aged (10-12 months) mice. In addition, to better model Omicron replication in the human nasal epithelium, we further investigated the replication capacity of the post-BA.2/5 subvariants in human primary nasal epithelial cells. FINDINGS We found that the evaluated post-BA.2/5 subvariants are consistently attenuated in mouse lungs but not in nasal turbinates when compared with their ancestral subvariants BA.2/5. Further investigations in primary human nasal epithelial cells revealed a gained replication fitness of XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 when compared to BA.2 and BA.5.2. INTERPRETATION Our study revealed that the post-BA.2/5 subvariants are attenuated in lungs while increased in replication fitness in the nasal epithelium, indicating rapid adaptation of the circulating Omicron subvariants in the human populations. FUNDING The full list of funding can be found at the Acknowledgements section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China; and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuanchen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Huan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yan-Xia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Huiping Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ye-Fan Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Madeline Hartnoll
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jing-Chu Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Terrence Tsz-Tai Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chaemin Yoon
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yuxin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Xiner Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yue Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Tianrenzheng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jialu Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yixin He
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jian-Piao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jinxia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jian-Dong Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Academician Workstation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China; and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kelvin Kai-Wang To
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Microbiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bao-Zhong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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14
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So RTY, Chu DKW, Hui KPY, Mok CKP, Shum MHH, Sanyal S, Nicholls JM, Ho JCW, Cheung MC, Ng KC, Yeung HW, Chan MCW, Poon LLM, Zhao J, Lam TTY, Peiris M. Amino acid substitution L232F in non-structural protein 6 identified as a possible human-adaptive mutation in clade B MERS coronaviruses. J Virol 2023; 97:e0136923. [PMID: 38038429 PMCID: PMC10734512 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01369-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Viral host adaptation plays an important role in inter-species transmission of coronaviruses and influenza viruses. Multiple human-adaptive mutations have been identified in influenza viruses but not so far in MERS-CoV that circulates widely in dromedary camels in the Arabian Peninsula leading to zoonotic transmission. Here, we analyzed clade B MERS-CoV sequences and identified an amino acid substitution L232F in nsp6 that repeatedly occurs in human MERS-CoV. Using a loss-of-function reverse genetics approach, we found the nsp6 L232F conferred increased viral replication competence in vitro, in cultures of the upper human respiratory tract ex vivo, and in lungs of mice infected in vivo. Our results showed that nsp6 L232F may be an adaptive mutation associated with zoonotic transmission of MERS-CoV. This study highlighted the capacity of MERS-CoV to adapt to transmission to humans and also the need for continued surveillance of MERS-CoV in camels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray T. Y. So
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Daniel K. W. Chu
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kenrie P. Y. Hui
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Chris K. P. Mok
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Marcus H. H. Shum
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sumana Sanyal
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Nicholls
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - John C. W. Ho
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Man-chun Cheung
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ka-chun Ng
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Hin-Wo Yeung
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael C. W. Chan
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Leo L. M. Poon
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tommy T. Y. Lam
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Malik Peiris
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
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15
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Suryawanshi RK, Taha TY, McCavitt-Malvido M, Silva I, Khalid MM, Syed AM, Chen IP, Saldhi P, Sreekumar B, Montano M, Foresythe K, Tabata T, Kumar GR, Sotomayor-Gonzalez A, Servellita V, Gliwa A, Nguyen J, Kojima N, Arellanor T, Bussanich A, Hess V, Shacreaw M, Lopez L, Brobeck M, Turner F, Wang Y, Ghazarian S, Davis G, Rodriguez D, Doudna J, Spraggon L, Chiu CY, Ott M. Previous exposure to Spike-providing parental strains confers neutralizing immunity to XBB lineage and other SARS-CoV-2 recombinants in the context of vaccination. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2270071. [PMID: 37869789 PMCID: PMC10619466 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2270071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 recombinants is of particular concern as they can result in a sudden increase in immune evasion due to antigenic shift. Recent recombinants XBB and XBB.1.5 have higher transmissibility than previous recombinants such as "Deltacron." We hypothesized that immunity to a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant depends on prior exposure to its parental strains. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether Delta or Omicron (BA.1 or BA.2) immunity conferred through infection, vaccination, or breakthrough infection could neutralize Deltacron and XBB/XBB.1.5 recombinants. We found that Delta, BA.1, or BA.2 breakthrough infections provided better immune protection against Deltacron and its parental strains than did the vaccine booster. None of the sera were effective at neutralizing the XBB lineage or its parent BA.2.75.2, except for the sera from the BA.2 breakthrough group. These results support our hypothesis. In turn, our findings underscore the importance of multivalent vaccines that correspond to the antigenic profile of circulating variants of concern and of variant-specific diagnostics that may guide public health and individual decisions in response to emerging SARS-CoV-2 recombinants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Abdullah M. Syed
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Irene P. Chen
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Prachi Saldhi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Kafaya Foresythe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Venice Servellita
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amelia Gliwa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jenny Nguyen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jennifer Doudna
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Charles Y. Chiu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- UCSF-Abbott Viral Diagnostics and Discovery Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
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16
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Su WC, Chen ZY, Chang YS, Jeng KS, Le UNP, Chou YC, Kuo LL, Melano I, Jesse, Wang WJ, Song YC, Li SR, Hung MC, Lai MMC, Lin CW. Functional assessments of SARS-CoV-2 single-round infectious particles with variant-specific spike proteins on infectivity, drug sensitivity, and antibody neutralization. Antiviral Res 2023; 220:105744. [PMID: 37944823 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Working with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is restricted to biosafety level III (BSL-3) laboratory. The study used a trans-complementation system consisting of virus-like particles (VLPs) and DNA-launched replicons to generate SARS-CoV-2 single-round infectious particles (SRIPs) with variant-specific spike (S) proteins. S gene of Wuhan-Hu-1 strain (SWH1) or Omicron BA.1 variant (SBA.1), along with the envelope (E) and membrane (M) genes, were cloned into a tricistronic vector, co-expressed in the cells to produce variant-specific S-VLPs. Additionally, the replicon of the WH1-like strain without S, E, M and accessory genes, was engineered under the control by a CMV promoter to produce self-replicating RNAs within VLP-producing cells, led to create SWH1- and SBA.1-based SARS-CoV-2 SRIPs. The SBA.1-based SRIP showed lower virus yield, replication, N protein expression, fusogenicity, and infectivity compared to SWH1-based SRIPs. SBA.1-based SRIP also exhibited intermediate resistance to neutralizing antibodies produced by SWH1-based vaccines, but were effective at infecting cells with low ACE2 expression. Importantly, both S-based SRIPs responded similarly to remdesivir and GC376, with EC50 values ranging from 0.17 to 1.46 μM, respectively. The study demonstrated that this trans-complementation system is a reliable and efficient tool for generating SARS-CoV-2 SRIPs with variant-specific S proteins. SARS-CoV-2 SRIPs, mimicking authentic live viruses, facilitate comprehensive analysis of variant-specific virological characteristics, including antibody neutralization, and drug sensitivity in non-BSL-3 laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chi Su
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; International Master's Program of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan; Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Zan-Yu Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Young-Sheng Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - King-Song Jeng
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
| | - Uyen Nguyen Phuong Le
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chi Chou
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115201, Taiwan
| | - Li-Lan Kuo
- International Master's Program of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Ivonne Melano
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Jesse
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Jan Wang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chyi Song
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Rong Li
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan; Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
| | - Michael M C Lai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115201, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Wen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Wufeng, Taichung, 413305, Taiwan.
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17
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Cai HL, Huang YW. Reverse genetics systems for SARS-CoV-2: Development and applications. Virol Sin 2023; 38:837-850. [PMID: 37832720 PMCID: PMC10786661 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused serious harm to human health and struck a blow to global economic development. Research on SARS-CoV-2 has greatly benefited from the use of reverse genetics systems, which have been established to artificially manipulate the viral genome, generating recombinant and reporter infectious viruses or biosafety level 2 (BSL-2)-adapted non-infectious replicons with desired modifications. These tools have been instrumental in studying the molecular biological characteristics of the virus, investigating antiviral therapeutics, and facilitating the development of attenuated vaccine candidates. Here, we review the construction strategies, development, and applications of reverse genetics systems for SARS-CoV-2, which may be applied to other CoVs as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hou-Li Cai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yao-Wei Huang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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18
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Imbiakha B, Ezzatpour S, Buchholz DW, Sahler J, Ye C, Olarte-Castillo XA, Zou A, Kwas C, O’Hare K, Choi A, Adeleke RA, Khomandiak S, Goodman L, Jager MC, Whittaker GR, Martinez-Sobrido L, August A, Aguilar HC. Age-dependent acquisition of pathogenicity by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj1736. [PMID: 37738347 PMCID: PMC10516498 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Pathology studies of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants of concern (VOC) are challenged by the lack of pathogenic animal models. While Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 replicate in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice, they cause minimal to negligible morbidity and mortality, and less is known about more recent Omicron VOC. Here, we show that in contrast to Omicron BA.1, BA.5-infected mice exhibited high levels of morbidity and mortality, correlating with higher early viral loads. Neither Omicron BA.1 nor BA.5 replicated in brains, unlike most prior VOC. Only Omicron BA.5-infected mice exhibited substantial weight loss, high pathology scores in lungs, and high levels of inflammatory cells and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and 5- to 8-month-old mice exhibited 100% fatality. These results identify a rodent model for pathogenesis or antiviral countermeasure studies for circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5. Further, differences in morbidity and mortality between Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 provide a model for understanding viral determinants of pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Imbiakha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Shahrzad Ezzatpour
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - David W. Buchholz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Julie Sahler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78227, USA
| | - Ximena A. Olarte-Castillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Anna Zou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Cole Kwas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Katelyn O’Hare
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Annette Choi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Richard Ayomide Adeleke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Solomiia Khomandiak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Laura Goodman
- James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Public & Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Mason C. Jager
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Gary R. Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Public & Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | | | - Avery August
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Hector C. Aguilar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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19
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Nemudryi A, Nemudraia A, Nichols JE, Scherffius AM, Zahl T, Wiedenheft B. CRISPR-based engineering of RNA viruses. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj8277. [PMID: 37703376 PMCID: PMC10499312 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj8277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR RNA-guided endonucleases have enabled precise editing of DNA. However, options for editing RNA remain limited. Here, we combine sequence-specific RNA cleavage by CRISPR ribonucleases with programmable RNA repair to make precise deletions and insertions in RNA. This work establishes a recombinant RNA technology with immediate applications for the facile engineering of RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andrew M. Scherffius
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Trevor Zahl
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
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20
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Feng S, O'Brien A, Chen DY, Saeed M, Baker SC. SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 6 from Alpha to Omicron: evolution of a transmembrane protein. mBio 2023; 14:e0068823. [PMID: 37477426 PMCID: PMC10470488 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00688-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently reported that mutations in both the spike glycoprotein and nonstructural protein 6 (nsp6) were associated with attenuation of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant. While mutations in spike allow evasion of neutralizing antibodies and promote specific modes of viral entry, the role of nsp6 mutations in pathogenesis is less clear. Nsp6 is essential for modifying the endoplasmic reticulum and generating double-membrane vesicles, the site of viral RNA replication. To investigate the evolution of nsp6, we evaluated 91,596 high-confidence human SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences across 19 variants and lineages. While nsp6 of early variants of concern, such as Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, carried a triple amino acid deletion (106-108, termed ΔSGF), the Delta, Epsilon, and Mu lineages retained the ancestral nsp6 sequence. For nsp6 in the emerging Omicron variants, we report a transition from an amino acid 105-107 ΔLSG deletion in BA.1 to increased dominance of the ΔSGF in BA.2 and subsequent lineages. Our findings indicate that deletion within nsp6 was independently selected in multiple lineages of SARS-CoV-2, both early and late in the pandemic. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses in bats and pangolins revealed nsp6 sequences similar to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus, indicating that the deletion in nsp6 may be an adaptation to replication in humans. Analysis of nsp6 sequences from multiple coronaviruses predicts a multipass transmembrane protein with a conserved C-terminal domain. Monitoring and evaluating changes in nsp6 and other nonstructural proteins will contribute to our understanding of factors associated with the attenuation of pandemic coronaviruses. IMPORTANCE There is an ongoing need to evaluate genetic changes in SARS-CoV-2 for effects on transmission and pathogenesis. We recently reported an unexpected role for replicase component nsp6, in addition to changes in spike, in the attenuation of Omicron BA.1. In this commentary, we document a triple-amino-acid deletion in a predicted lumenal domain of nsp6 that was found in multiple, independent variants of SARS-CoV-2, including all recent Omicron lineages. Furthermore, we modeled the predicted structure of nsp6, implicating a multipass transmembrane architecture as conserved in members of the Coronaviridae family. This information can guide future studies investigating the role of nsp6 in the pathogenesis of existing and emerging coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuchen Feng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amornrat O'Brien
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Da-Yuan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mohsan Saeed
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan C. Baker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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