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Cao C, Zhang G, Li X, Wang Y, Lü J. Nanomechanical collective vibration of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. J Mol Recognit 2024; 37:e3091. [PMID: 38773782 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.3091] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The development of effective therapeutics against COVID-19 requires a thorough understanding of the receptor recognition mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. Here the multidomain collective dynamics on the trimer of the spike protein has been analyzed using normal mode analysis (NMA). A common nanomechanical profile was identified in the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The profile involves collective vibrations of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD), which may mediate the physical interaction process. Quantitative analysis of the collective modes suggests a nanomechanical property involving large-scale conformational changes, which explains the difference in receptor binding affinity among different variants. These results support the use of intrinsic global dynamics as a valuable perspective for studying the allosteric and functional mechanisms of the S protein. This approach also provides a low-cost theoretical toolkit for screening potential pathogenic mutations and drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changfeng Cao
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangxu Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xueling Li
- College of Public Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yadi Wang
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, China
- College of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Junhong Lü
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, China
- College of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
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Mietzsch M, Nelson AR, Hsi J, Zachary J, Potts L, Chipman P, Ghanem M, Khandekar N, Alexander IE, Logan GJ, Huiskonen JT, McKenna R. Structural characterization of antibody-responses from Zolgensma treatment provides the blueprint for the engineering of an AAV capsid suitable for redosing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.590489. [PMID: 38746165 PMCID: PMC11092599 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.590489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are useful tools to dissect the neutralizing antibody response against the adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids used as gene therapy delivery vectors. This study structurally characterizes the interactions of 21 human-derived antibodies from patients treated with the AAV9 vector, Zolgensma ® , utilizing high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy. The majority of the bound antibodies do not conform to the icosahedral symmetry of the capsid, thus requiring localized reconstructions. These complex structures provide unprecedented details of the mAbs binding interfaces, with some antibodies inducing structural perturbations of the capsid upon binding. Key surface capsid amino acid residues were identified facilitating the design of capsid variants with an antibody escape phenotype, with the potential to expand the patient cohort treatable with AAV9 vectors to include those that were previously excluded due to their pre-existing neutralizing antibodies, and possibly also to those requiring redosing.
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3
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Zhong Y, Kang AYH, Tay CJX, Li HE, Elyana N, Tan CW, Yap WC, Lim JME, Le Bert N, Chan KR, Ong EZ, Low JG, Shek LP, Tham EH, Ooi EE. Correlates of protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated children. Nat Med 2024; 30:1373-1383. [PMID: 38689059 PMCID: PMC11164684 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02962-3] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The paucity of information on longevity of vaccine-induced immune responses and uncertainty of the correlates of protection hinder the development of evidence-based COVID-19 vaccination policies for new birth cohorts. Here, to address these knowledge gaps, we conducted a cohort study of healthy 5-12-year-olds vaccinated with BNT162b2. We serially measured binding and neutralizing antibody titers (nAbs), spike-specific memory B cell (MBC) and spike-reactive T cell responses over 1 year. We found that children mounted antibody, MBC and T cell responses after two doses of BNT162b2, with higher antibody and T cell responses than adults 6 months after vaccination. A booster (third) dose only improved antibody titers without impacting MBC and T cell responses. Among children with hybrid immunity, nAbs and T cell responses were highest in those infected after two vaccine doses. Binding IgG titers, MBC and T cell responses were predictive, with T cells being the most important predictor of protection against symptomatic infection before hybrid immunity; nAbs only correlated with protection after hybrid immunity. The stable MBC and T cell responses over time suggest sustained protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, even when nAbs wane. Booster vaccinations do not confer additional immunological protection to healthy children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjia Zhong
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore.
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Alicia Y H Kang
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Carina J X Tay
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui' En Li
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nurul Elyana
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chee Wah Tan
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wee Chee Yap
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joey M E Lim
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nina Le Bert
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kuan Rong Chan
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eugenia Z Ong
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jenny G Low
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lynette P Shek
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Elizabeth Huiwen Tham
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eng Eong Ooi
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Clinical Translational Research, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
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4
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Gupta G, Verkhivker G. Exploring Binding Pockets in the Conformational States of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Trimers for the Screening of Allosteric Inhibitors Using Molecular Simulations and Ensemble-Based Ligand Docking. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4955. [PMID: 38732174 PMCID: PMC11084335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094955] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms of allosteric regulation remains elusive for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, despite the increasing interest and effort in discovering allosteric inhibitors of the viral activity and interactions with the host receptor ACE2. The challenges of discovering allosteric modulators of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins are associated with the diversity of cryptic allosteric sites and complex molecular mechanisms that can be employed by allosteric ligands, including the alteration of the conformational equilibrium of spike protein and preferential stabilization of specific functional states. In the current study, we combine conformational dynamics analysis of distinct forms of the full-length spike protein trimers and machine-learning-based binding pocket detection with the ensemble-based ligand docking and binding free energy analysis to characterize the potential allosteric binding sites and determine structural and energetic determinants of allosteric inhibition for a series of experimentally validated allosteric molecules. The results demonstrate a good agreement between computational and experimental binding affinities, providing support to the predicted binding modes and suggesting key interactions formed by the allosteric ligands to elicit the experimentally observed inhibition. We establish structural and energetic determinants of allosteric binding for the experimentally known allosteric molecules, indicating a potential mechanism of allosteric modulation by targeting the hinges of the inter-protomer movements and blocking conformational changes between the closed and open spike trimer forms. The results of this study demonstrate that combining ensemble-based ligand docking with conformational states of spike protein and rigorous binding energy analysis enables robust characterization of the ligand binding modes, the identification of allosteric binding hotspots, and the prediction of binding affinities for validated allosteric modulators, which is consistent with the experimental data. This study suggested that the conformational adaptability of the protein allosteric sites and the diversity of ligand bound conformations are both in play to enable efficient targeting of allosteric binding sites and interfere with the conformational changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA;
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, 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
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5
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Wei Y, Chen AX, Lin Y, Wei T, Qiao B. Allosteric regulation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:6582-6589. [PMID: 38329233 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00106k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Allosteric regulation is common in protein-protein interactions and is thus promising in drug design. Previous experimental and simulation work supported the presence of allosteric regulation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Here the route of allosteric regulation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is examined by all-atom explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations, contrastive machine learning, and the Ohm approach. It was found that peptide binding to the polybasic cleavage sites, especially the one at the first subunit of the trimeric spike protein, activates the fluctuation of the spike protein's backbone, which eventually propagates to the receptor-binding domain on the third subunit that binds to ACE2. Remarkably, the allosteric regulation routes starting from the polybasic cleavage sites share a high fraction (39-67%) of the critical amino acids with the routes starting from the nitrogen-terminal domains, suggesting the presence of an allosteric regulation network in the spike protein. Our study paves the way for the rational design of allosteric antibody inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wei
- Department of Computer Science, High Point University, High Point, NC 27268, USA
| | - Amy X Chen
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA 22312, USA
| | - Yuewei Lin
- Computational Science Initiative, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | - Baofu Qiao
- Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10010, USA.
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