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Drzymała A. The Functions of SARS-CoV-2 Receptors in Diabetes-Related Severe COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9635. [PMID: 39273582 PMCID: PMC11394807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179635] [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: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is considered a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor of high importance, but due to its non-ubiquitous expression, studies of other proteins that may participate in virus internalisation have been undertaken. To date, many alternative receptors have been discovered. Their functioning may provide an explanation for some of the events observed in severe COVID-19 that cannot be directly explained by the model in which ACE2 constitutes the central point of infection. Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) can induce severe COVID-19 development. Although many mechanisms associated with ACE2 can lead to increased SARS-CoV-2 virulence in diabetes, proteins such as basigin (CD147), glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78), cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), transferrin receptor (TfR), integrins α5β1/αvβ3, or ACE2 co-receptors neuropilin 2 (NRP2), vimentin, and even syalilated gangliosides may also be responsible for worsening the COVID-19 course. On the other hand, some others may play protective roles. Understanding how diabetes-associated mechanisms can induce severe COVID-19 via modification of virus receptor functioning needs further extensive studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Drzymała
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Oleska 48, 45-052 Opole, Poland
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2
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Atemin A, Ivanova A, Peppel W, Stamatov R, Gallegos R, Durden H, Uzunova S, Vershinin MD, Saffarian S, Stoynov SS. Kinetic Landscape of Single Virus-like Particles Highlights the Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 Internalization. Viruses 2024; 16:1341. [PMID: 39205315 PMCID: PMC11359012 DOI: 10.3390/v16081341] [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: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of virus internalization into target cells is a major determinant of infectivity. SARS-CoV-2 internalization occurs via S-protein-mediated cell binding followed either by direct fusion with the plasma membrane or endocytosis and subsequent fusion with the endosomal membrane. Despite the crucial role of virus internalization, the precise kinetics of the processes involved remains elusive. We developed a pipeline, which combines live-cell microscopy and advanced image analysis, for measuring the rates of multiple internalization-associated molecular events of single SARS-CoV-2-virus-like particles (VLPs), including endosome ingression and pH change. Our live-cell imaging experiments demonstrate that only a few minutes after binding to the plasma membrane, VLPs ingress into RAP5-negative endosomes via dynamin-dependent scission. Less than two minutes later, VLP speed increases in parallel with a pH drop below 5, yet these two events are not interrelated. By co-imaging fluorescently labeled nucleocapsid proteins, we show that nucleocapsid release occurs with similar kinetics to VLP acidification. Neither Omicron mutations nor abrogation of the S protein polybasic cleavage site affected the rate of VLP internalization, indicating that they do not confer any significant advantages or disadvantages during this process. Finally, we observe that VLP internalization occurs two to three times faster in VeroE6 than in A549 cells, which may contribute to the greater susceptibility of the former cell line to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Taken together, our precise measurements of the kinetics of VLP internalization-associated processes shed light on their contribution to the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 propagation in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Atemin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 21, G. Bontchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.A.); (A.I.); (R.S.); (S.U.)
| | - Aneliya Ivanova
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 21, G. Bontchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.A.); (A.I.); (R.S.); (S.U.)
| | - Wiley Peppel
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (W.P.); (R.G.); (H.D.)
- Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rumen Stamatov
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 21, G. Bontchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.A.); (A.I.); (R.S.); (S.U.)
| | - Rodrigo Gallegos
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (W.P.); (R.G.); (H.D.)
- Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Haley Durden
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (W.P.); (R.G.); (H.D.)
- Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sonya Uzunova
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 21, G. Bontchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.A.); (A.I.); (R.S.); (S.U.)
| | - Michael D. Vershinin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (W.P.); (R.G.); (H.D.)
- Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Saveez Saffarian
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (W.P.); (R.G.); (H.D.)
- Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Stoyno S. Stoynov
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 21, G. Bontchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (A.A.); (A.I.); (R.S.); (S.U.)
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3
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Birtles D, Guiyab L, Abbas W, Lee J. Positive residues of the SARS-CoV-2 fusion domain are key contributors to the initiation of membrane fusion. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107564. [PMID: 39002677 PMCID: PMC11357847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107564] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most infectious viruses ever recorded. Despite a plethora of research over the last several years, the viral life cycle is still not well understood, particularly membrane fusion. This process is initiated by the fusion domain (FD), a highly conserved stretch of amino acids consisting of a fusion peptide (FP) and fusion loop (FL), which in synergy perturbs the target cells' lipid membrane to lower the energetic cost necessary for fusion. In this study, through a mutagenesis-based approach, we have investigated the basic residues within the FD (K825, K835, R847, K854) utilizing an in vitro fusion assay and 19F NMR, validated by traditional 13C 15N techniques. Alanine and charge-conserving mutants revealed every basic residue plays a highly specific role within the mechanism of initiating fusion. Intriguingly, K825A led to increased fusogenecity which was found to be correlated to the number of amino acids within helix one, further implicating the role of this specific helix within the FD's fusion mechanism. This work has found basic residues to be important within the FDs fusion mechanism and highlights K825A, a specific mutation made within the FD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, as requiring further investigation due to its potential to contribute to a more virulent strain of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Birtles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Lijon Guiyab
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Wafa Abbas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Jinwoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.
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4
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Sharafutdinov I, Friedrich B, Rottner K, Backert S, Tegtmeyer N. Cortactin: A major cellular target of viral, protozoal, and fungal pathogens. Mol Microbiol 2024; 122:165-183. [PMID: 38868928 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15284] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Many viral, protozoal, and fungal pathogens represent major human and animal health problems due to their great potential of causing infectious diseases. Research on these pathogens has contributed substantially to our current understanding of both microbial virulence determinants and host key factors during infection. Countless studies have also shed light on the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions that are employed by these microbes. For example, actin cytoskeletal dynamics play critical roles in effective adhesion, host cell entry, and intracellular movements of intruding pathogens. Cortactin is an eminent host cell protein that stimulates actin polymerization and signal transduction, and recently emerged as fundamental player during host-pathogen crosstalk. Here we review the important role of cortactin as major target for various prominent viral, protozoal and fungal pathogens in humans, and its role in human disease development and cancer progression. Most if not all of these important classes of pathogens have been reported to hijack cortactin during infection through mediating up- or downregulation of cortactin mRNA and protein expression as well as signaling. In particular, pathogen-induced changes in tyrosine and serine phosphorylation status of cortactin at its major phospho-sites (Y-421, Y-470, Y-486, S-113, S-298, S-405, and S-418) are addressed. As has been reported for various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, many pathogenic viruses, protozoa, and fungi also control these regulatory phospho-sites, for example, by activating kinases such as Src, PAK, ERK1/2, and PKD, which are known to phosphorylate cortactin. In addition, the recruitment of cortactin and its interaction partners, like the Arp2/3 complex and F-actin, to the contact sites between pathogens and host cells is highlighted, as this plays an important role in the infection process and internalization of several pathogens. However, there are also other ways in which the pathogens can exploit the function of cortactin for their needs, as the cortactin-mediated regulation of cellular processes is complex and involves numerous different interaction partners. Here, the current state of knowledge is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irshad Sharafutdinov
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Friedrich
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klemens Rottner
- Department of Cell Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Steffen Backert
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicole Tegtmeyer
- Department of Biology, Division of Microbiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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5
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Tian WJ, Zhang XZ, Wang J, Liu JF, Li FH, Wang XJ. Calmodulin-like 5 promotes PEDV replication by regulating late-endosome synthesis and innate immune response. Virol Sin 2024; 39:501-512. [PMID: 38789039 PMCID: PMC11280258 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2024.05.006] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The infection caused by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is associated with high mortality in piglets worldwide. Host factors involved in the efficient replication of PEDV, however, remain largely unknown. Our recent proteomic study in the virus-host interaction network revealed a significant increase in the accumulation of CALML5 (EF-hand protein calmodulin-like 5) following PEDV infection. A further study unveiled a biphasic increase of CALML5 in 2 and 12 h after viral infection. Similar trends were observed in the intestines of piglets in the early and late stages of the PEDV challenge. Moreover, CALML5 depletion reduced PEDV mRNA and protein levels, leading to a one-order-of-magnitude decrease in virus titer. At the early stage of PEDV infection, CALML5 affected the endosomal trafficking pathway by regulating the expression of endosomal sorting complex related cellular proteins. CALML5 depletion also suppressed IFN-β and IL-6 production in the PEDV-infected cells, thereby indicating its involvement in negatively regulating the innate immune response. Our study reveals the biological function of CALML5 in the virology field and offers new insights into the PEDV-host cell interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jun Tian
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiu-Zhong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jing Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jian-Feng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Fu-Huang Li
- Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry Service (South Section), Beijing, 102218, China.
| | - Xiao-Jia Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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6
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Lei R, Qing E, Odle A, Yuan M, Gunawardene CD, Tan TJC, So N, Ouyang WO, Wilson IA, Gallagher T, Perlman S, Wu NC, Wong LYR. Functional and antigenic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 spike fusion peptide by deep mutational scanning. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4056. [PMID: 38744813 PMCID: PMC11094058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48104-8] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The fusion peptide of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is functionally important for membrane fusion during virus entry and is part of a broadly neutralizing epitope. However, sequence determinants at the fusion peptide and its adjacent regions for pathogenicity and antigenicity remain elusive. In this study, we perform a series of deep mutational scanning (DMS) experiments on an S2 region spanning the fusion peptide of authentic SARS-CoV-2 in different cell lines and in the presence of broadly neutralizing antibodies. We identify mutations at residue 813 of the spike protein that reduced TMPRSS2-mediated entry with decreased virulence. In addition, we show that an F823Y mutation, present in bat betacoronavirus HKU9 spike protein, confers resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and also highlight a potential challenge in developing broadly protective S2-based coronavirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruipeng Lei
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Enya Qing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Abby Odle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Meng Yuan
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Chaminda D Gunawardene
- Center for Virus-Host Innate Immunity, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Timothy J C Tan
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Natalie So
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Wenhao O Ouyang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ian A Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
| | - Nicholas C Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Lok-Yin Roy Wong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
- Center for Virus-Host Innate Immunity, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
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7
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Grewal T, Nguyen MKL, Buechler C. Cholesterol and COVID-19-therapeutic opportunities at the host/virus interface during cell entry. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302453. [PMID: 38388172 PMCID: PMC10883773 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of vaccines to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections has been critical to reduce the severity of COVID-19. However, the continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 subtypes highlights the need to develop additional approaches that oppose viral infections. Targeting host factors that support virus entry, replication, and propagation provide opportunities to lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and improve COVID-19 outcome. This includes cellular cholesterol, which is critical for viral spike proteins to capture the host machinery for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Once endocytosed, exit of SARS-CoV-2 from the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment occurs in a cholesterol-sensitive manner. In addition, effective release of new viral particles also requires cholesterol. Hence, cholesterol-lowering statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 antibodies, and ezetimibe have revealed potential to protect against COVID-19. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of cholesterol exiting late endosomes/lysosomes identified drug candidates, including antifungals, to block SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review describes the multiple roles of cholesterol at the cell surface and endolysosomes for SARS-CoV-2 entry and the potential of drugs targeting cholesterol homeostasis to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mai Khanh Linh Nguyen
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christa Buechler
- https://ror.org/01226dv09 Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
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8
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Needham D. Niclosamide: A career builder. J Control Release 2024; 369:786-856. [PMID: 37544514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.016] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
My contribution to honoring Professor Kinam Park celebrates and resonates with his scholarly career in drug delivery, his commitment to encouraging the next generation(s), and his efforts to keep us focused on clinically effective formulations. To do this I take as my example, niclosamide, a small molecule protonophore that, uniquely, can "target" all cell membranes, both plasma and organelle. As such, it acts upstream of many cell pathways and so has the potential to affect many of the essential events that a cell, and particularly a diseased cell or other entities like a virus, use to stay alive and prosper. Literature shows that it has so far been discovered to positively influence (at least): cancer, bacterial and viral infection, metabolic diseases such as Type II diabetes, NASH and NAFLD, artery constriction, endometriosis, neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease, systemic sclerosis, Parkinson's, and COPD. With such a fundamental action and broad-spectrum activity, I believe that studying niclosamide in all its manifestations, discovering if and to what extent it can contribute positively to disease control (and also where it can't), formulating it as effective therapeutics, and testing them in preclinical and clinical trials is a career builder for our next generation(s). The article is divided into two parts: Part I introduces niclosamide and other proton shunts mainly in cancer and viral infections and reviews an exponentially growing literature with some concepts and physicochemical properties that lead to its proton shunt mechanism. Part II focuses on repurposing by reformulation of niclosamide. I give two examples of "carrier-free formulations", - one for cancer (as a prodrug therapeutic of niclosamide stearate for i.v. and other administration routes, exemplified by our recent work on Osteosarcoma in mice and canine patients), and the other as a niclosamide solution formulation (that could provide the basis for a preventative nasal spray and early treatment option for COVID19 and other respiratory virus infections). My goal is to excite and enthuse, encourage, and motivate all involved in the drug development and testing process in academia, institutes, and industry, to learn more about this interesting molecule and others like it. To enable such endeavors, I give many proposed ideas throughout the document, that have been stimulated and inspired by gaps in the literature, urgent needs in disease, and new studies arising from our own work. The hope is that, by reading through this document and studying the suggested topics and references, the drug delivery and development community will continue our lineage and benefit from our legacy to achieve niclosamide's potential as an effective contributor to the treatment and control of many diseases and conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Needham
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Translational Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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9
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Kulma M, Šakanović A, Bedina-Zavec A, Caserman S, Omersa N, Šolinc G, Orehek S, Hafner-Bratkovič I, Kuhar U, Slavec B, Krapež U, Ocepek M, Kobayashi T, Kwiatkowska K, Jerala R, Podobnik M, Anderluh G. Sequestration of membrane cholesterol by cholesterol-binding proteins inhibits SARS-CoV-2 entry into Vero E6 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 716:149954. [PMID: 38704887 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Membrane lipids and proteins form dynamic domains crucial for physiological and pathophysiological processes, including viral infection. Many plasma membrane proteins, residing within membrane domains enriched with cholesterol (CHOL) and sphingomyelin (SM), serve as receptors for attachment and entry of viruses into the host cell. Among these, human coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), use proteins associated with membrane domains for initial binding and internalization. We hypothesized that the interaction of lipid-binding proteins with CHOL in plasma membrane could sequestrate lipids and thus affect the efficiency of virus entry into host cells, preventing the initial steps of viral infection. We have prepared CHOL-binding proteins with high affinities for lipids in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. Binding of the perfringolysin O domain four (D4) and its variant D4E458L to membrane CHOL impaired the internalization of the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the pseudovirus complemented with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells was also decreased. Overall, our results demonstrate that the integrity of CHOL-rich membrane domains and the accessibility of CHOL in the membrane play an essential role in SARS-CoV-2 cell entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kulma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Šakanović
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Apolonija Bedina-Zavec
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Caserman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Neža Omersa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gašper Šolinc
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sara Orehek
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iva Hafner-Bratkovič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne Fronte 13, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urška Kuhar
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Brigita Slavec
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Uroš Krapež
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Ocepek
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Toshihide Kobayashi
- Lipid Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan; UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, F-67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Katarzyna Kwiatkowska
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne Fronte 13, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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10
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Dufloo J, Sanjuán R. Temperature impacts SARS-CoV-2 spike fusogenicity and evolution. mBio 2024; 15:e0336023. [PMID: 38411986 PMCID: PMC11005339 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03360-23] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, which are characterized by different temperatures (33°C and 37°C, respectively). In addition, fever is a common COVID-19 symptom. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to replicate more efficiently at low temperatures, but the effect of temperature on different viral proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate how temperature affects the SARS-CoV-2 spike function and evolution. We first observed that increasing temperature from 33°C to 37°C or 39°C increased spike-mediated cell-cell fusion. We then experimentally evolved a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike at these different temperatures. We found that spike-mediated cell-cell fusion was maintained during evolution at 39°C but was lost in a high proportion of viruses that evolved at 33°C or 37°C. Consistently, sequencing of the spikes evolved at 33°C or 37°C revealed the accumulation of mutations around the furin cleavage site, a region that determines cell-cell fusion, whereas this did not occur in spikes evolved at 39°C. Finally, using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that disruption of the furin cleavage site had a temperature-dependent effect on spike-induced cell-cell fusion and viral fitness. Our results suggest that variations in body temperature may affect the activity and diversification of the SARS-CoV-2 spike. IMPORTANCE When it infects humans, SARS-CoV-2 is exposed to different temperatures (e.g., replication site and fever). Temperature has been shown to strongly impact SARS-CoV-2 replication, but how it affects the activity and evolution of the spike protein remains poorly understood. Here, we first show that high temperatures increase the SARS-CoV-2 spike fusogenicity. Then, we demonstrate that the evolution of the spike activity and variants depends on temperature. Finally, we show that the functional effect of specific spike mutations is temperature-dependent. Overall, our results suggest that temperature may be a factor influencing the activity and adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike in vivo, which will help understanding viral tropism, pathogenesis, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Dufloo
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat de València, Paterna, València, Spain
| | - Rafael Sanjuán
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universitat de València, Paterna, València, Spain
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11
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Božič A, Podgornik R. Changes in total charge on spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in emerging lineages. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2024; 4:vbae053. [PMID: 38645718 PMCID: PMC11031363 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbae053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Motivation Charged amino acid residues on the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been shown to influence its binding to different cell surface receptors, its non-specific electrostatic interactions with the environment, and its structural stability and conformation. It is therefore important to obtain a good understanding of amino acid mutations that affect the total charge on the spike protein which have arisen across different SARS-CoV-2 lineages during the course of the virus' evolution. Results We analyse the change in the number of ionizable amino acids and the corresponding total charge on the spike proteins of almost 2200 SARS-CoV-2 lineages that have emerged over the span of the pandemic. Our results show that the previously observed trend toward an increase in the positive charge on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern has essentially stopped with the emergence of the early omicron variants. Furthermore, recently emerged lineages show a greater diversity in terms of their composition of ionizable amino acids. We also demonstrate that the patterns of change in the number of ionizable amino acids on the spike protein are characteristic of related lineages within the broader clade division of the SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic tree. Due to the ubiquity of electrostatic interactions in the biological environment, our findings are relevant for a broad range of studies dealing with the structural stability of SARS-CoV-2 and its interactions with the environment. Availability and implementation The data underlying the article are available in the Supplementary material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anže Božič
- Department of Theoretical Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Rudolf Podgornik
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Kavli Institute for Theoretical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
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12
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Chen Y, Zhang C, Huang Y, Ma Y, Song Q, Chen H, Jiang G, Gao X. Intranasal drug delivery: The interaction between nanoparticles and the nose-to-brain pathway. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 207:115196. [PMID: 38336090 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115196] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Intranasal delivery provides a direct and non-invasive method for drugs to reach the central nervous system. Nanoparticles play a crucial role as carriers in augmenting the efficacy of brain delivery. However, the interaction between nanoparticles and the nose-to-brain pathway and how the various biopharmaceutical factors affect brain delivery efficacy remains unclear. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the nose-to-brain pathway and the obstacles that hinder brain delivery. We then outlined the interaction between nanoparticles and this pathway and reviewed the biomedical applications of various nanoparticulate drug delivery systems for nose-to-brain drug delivery. This review aims at inspiring innovative approaches for enhancing the effectiveness of nose-to-brain drug delivery in the treatment of different brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoxing Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chenyun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yukun Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yuxiao Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qingxiang Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hongzhuan Chen
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Biomedical Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Gan Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Xiaoling Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China.
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13
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Birtles D, Abbas W, Lee J. Bis(Monoacylglycero)Phosphate Promotes Membrane Fusion Facilitated by the SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Domain. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:2675-2683. [PMID: 38466655 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07863] [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: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Membrane fusion is a critical component of the viral lifecycle. For SARS-CoV-2, fusion is facilitated by the spike glycoprotein and can take place via either the plasma membrane or the endocytic pathway. The fusion domain (FD), which is found within the spike glycoprotein, is primarily responsible for the initiation of fusion as it embeds itself within the target cell's membrane. A preference for SARS-CoV-2 to fuse at low pH akin to the environment of the endocytic pathway has already been established; however, the impact of the target cell's lipid composition on the FD has yet to be explored. Here, we have shown that the SARS-CoV-2 FD preferentially initiates fusion at the late endosomal membrane over the plasma membrane, on the basis of lipid composition alone. A positive, fusogenic relationship with anionic lipids from the plasma membrane (POPS: 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine) and endosomal membrane (BMP: bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate) was established, with a large preference demonstrated for the latter. When comparing the binding affinity and secondary structure of the FD in the presence of different anionic lipids, little deviation was evident while the charge was maintained. However, it was discovered that BMP had a subtle, negative impact on lipid packing in comparison to that of POPS. Furthermore, an inverse relationship between lipid packing and the fusogenecity of the SARS-CoV-2 FD was witnessed. In conclusion, the SARS-CoV-2 FD preferentially initiates fusion at a membrane resembling that of the late endosomal compartment, predominately due to the presence of BMP and its impact on lipid packing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Birtles
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, Maryland, United States
| | - Wafa Abbas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, Maryland, United States
| | - Jinwoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, Maryland, United States
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14
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Polo-Megías D, Cano-Muñoz M, Berruezo AG, Laumond G, Moog C, Conejero-Lara F. Investigating vulnerability of the conserved SARS-CoV-2 spike's heptad repeat 2 as target for fusion inhibitors using chimeric miniproteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 262:130132. [PMID: 38354919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130132] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 membrane fusion is a highly desired target to combat COVID-19. The interaction between the spike's heptad repeat (HR) regions 1 (HR1) and 2 (HR2) is a crucial step during the fusion process and these highly conserved HR regions constitute attractive targets for fusion inhibitors. However, the relative importance of each subregion of the long HR1-HR2 interface for viral inhibition remains unclear. Here, we designed, produced, and characterized a series of chimeric miniproteins that mimic two different half subdomains of HR1. The proteins were designed as single polypeptide chains that spontaneously fold into antiparallel trimeric helical bundles aimed at structurally imitate the molecular surface of each HR1 half subregion. All the miniproteins folded stably as helical structures and could bind complementary HR2 peptides with moderate affinity. However, only the miniproteins mimicking the N-terminal HR1 half subdomain, but not those imitating C-terminal one, could inhibit cell infection by SARS-COV-2 real viruses in cell cultures. Most interestingly, the inhibitory activity of the miniproteins correlated with their structural stability, but not with their relative binding affinity for HR2 peptides. These results are highly relevant for designing more focused and active fusion inhibitors targeting the highly conserved HR2 region of the Spike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Polo-Megías
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Mario Cano-Muñoz
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto G Berruezo
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Géraldine Laumond
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR_S 1109, Institut Thématique Interdisciplinaire (ITI) de Médecine de Précision de Strasbourg, Transplantex NG, Faculté de Médecine, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Christiane Moog
- Laboratoire d'ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR_S 1109, Institut Thématique Interdisciplinaire (ITI) de Médecine de Précision de Strasbourg, Transplantex NG, Faculté de Médecine, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), F-94000 Créteil, France
| | - Francisco Conejero-Lara
- Departamento de Química Física, Instituto de Biotecnología y Unidad de Excelencia de Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente (UEQ), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
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15
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Liu HY, Hu Y, Yu C, Wang ZG, Liu SL, Pang DW. Quantitative single-virus tracking for revealing the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 fusion with plasma membrane. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:502-511. [PMID: 37993331 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.11.020] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Viral envelope fusion with the host plasma membrane (PM) for genome release is a hallmark step in the life cycle of many enveloped viruses. This process is regulated by a complex network of biomolecules on the PM, but robust tools to precisely elucidate the dynamic mechanisms of virus-PM fusion events are still lacking. Here, we developed a quantitative single-virus tracking approach based on highly efficient dual-color labelling of viruses and batch trajectory analysis to achieve the spatiotemporal quantification of fusion events. This approach allows us to comprehensively analyze the membrane fusion mechanism utilized by pseudotyped severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the single-virus level and precisely elucidate how the relevant biomolecules synergistically regulate the fusion process. Our results revealed that SARS-CoV-2 may promote the formation of supersaturated clusters of cholesterol to facilitate the initiation of the membrane fusion process and accelerate the viral genome release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yusi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Cong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shu-Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China.
| | - Dai-Wen Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China.
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16
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Khan I, Li S, Tao L, Wang C, Ye B, Li H, Liu X, Ahmad I, Su W, Zhong G, Wen Z, Wang J, Hua RH, Ma A, Liang J, Wan XP, Bu ZG, Zheng YH. Tubeimosides are pan-coronavirus and filovirus inhibitors that can block their fusion protein binding to Niemann-Pick C1. Nat Commun 2024; 15:162. [PMID: 38167417 PMCID: PMC10762260 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44504-4] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 and filovirus enter cells via the cell surface angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) or the late-endosome Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) as a receptor. Here, we screened 974 natural compounds and identified Tubeimosides I, II, and III as pan-coronavirus and filovirus entry inhibitors that target NPC1. Using in-silico, biochemical, and genomic approaches, we provide evidence that NPC1 also binds SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein on the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is blocked by Tubeimosides. Importantly, NPC1 strongly promotes productive SARS-CoV-2 entry, which we propose is due to its influence on fusion in late endosomes. The Tubeimosides' antiviral activity and NPC1 function are further confirmed by infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. Thus, NPC1 is a critical entry co-factor for highly pathogenic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) in the late endosomes, and Tubeimosides hold promise as a new countermeasure for these HCoVs and filoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Khan
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Sunan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Lihong Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Chong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Bowei Ye
- Center for Bioinformatics and Quantitative Biology, Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Huiyu Li
- Center for Bioinformatics and Quantitative Biology, Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Iqbal Ahmad
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Wenqiang Su
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Gongxun Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wen
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Jinliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Rong-Hong Hua
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Ao Ma
- Center for Bioinformatics and Quantitative Biology, Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Jie Liang
- Center for Bioinformatics and Quantitative Biology, Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Xiao-Peng Wan
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
| | - Zhi-Gao Bu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
| | - Yong-Hui Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Shafiee A, Jafarabady K, Moltazemi H, Amini MJ, Rafiei MA, Akhondi A, Mozhgani SH. Alkalinization Using Sodium Bicarbonate for COVID-19 Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Evid Based Integr Med 2024; 29:2515690X241258403. [PMID: 38826036 PMCID: PMC11145993 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x241258403] [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: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of alkalinization for COVID-19 patients based on current evidence to determine the impact of alkalinization on COVID-19 outcomes. METHODS We searched MEDLINE (Pubmed), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov for studies evaluating the efficacy of alkalinization up to 30 April 2023. Based on the PRISMA 2020 statement criteria a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies were performed. RESULTS The results of our meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in mortality rate in the alkalinization group compared to controls (RR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56-0.95; I2 = 0%). However, our subgroup analysis showed no significant improvement in RCT-only studies (RR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.59-1.05; I2 = 0%), the recovery rate was significantly higher in the alkalinization group (RR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.39-3.26; I2 = 0%), duration of recovery also has improved in alkalinization group (SMD 0.76, 95% CI: 0.33-1.18; I2 = 0%). The results of our meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in the duration of hospitalization in the alkalinization group compared to controls with very low certainty of evidence (SMD -0.66, 95% CI: -0.97 to -0.35; I2 = 36%). CONCLUSION With low certainty of evidence, alkalinization (by sodium bicarbonate) can be an efficient and safe adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 patients. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to strengthen the available evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman Shafiee
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Kyana Jafarabady
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hassan Moltazemi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Amini
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Rafiei
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Akhondi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Sayed-Hamidreza Mozhgani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Zhang H, Wang Z, Nguyen HTT, Watson AJ, Lao Q, Li A, Zhu J. Integrin α 5β 1 contributes to cell fusion and inflammation mediated by SARS-CoV-2 spike via RGD-independent interaction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311913120. [PMID: 38060559 PMCID: PMC10723138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311913120] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infects host cells by engaging its spike (S) protein with human ACE2 receptor. Recent studies suggest the involvement of integrins in SARS-CoV-2 infection through interaction with the S protein, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. This study investigated the role of integrin α5β1, which recognizes the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif in its physiological ligands, in S-mediated virus entry and cell-cell fusion. Our results showed that α5β1 does not directly contribute to S-mediated cell entry, but it enhances S-mediated cell-cell fusion in collaboration with ACE2. This effect cannot be inhibited by the putative α5β1 inhibitor ATN-161 or the high-affinity RGD-mimetic inhibitor MK-0429 but requires the participation of α5 cytoplasmic tail (CT). We detected a direct interaction between α5β1 and the S protein, but this interaction does not rely on the RGD-containing receptor binding domain of the S1 subunit of the S protein. Instead, it involves the S2 subunit of the S protein and α5β1 homo-oligomerization. Furthermore, we found that the S protein induces inflammatory responses in human endothelial cells, characterized by NF-κB activation, gasdermin D cleavage, and increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β. These effects can be attenuated by the loss of α5 expression or inhibition of the α5 CT binding protein phosphodiesterase-4D (PDE4D), suggesting the involvement of α5 CT and PDE4D pathway. These findings provide molecular insights into the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 mediated by a nonclassical RGD-independent ligand-binding and signaling function of integrin α5β1 and suggest potential targets for antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Zhengli Wang
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Huong T. T. Nguyen
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Abigail J. Watson
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Qifang Lao
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - An Li
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Jieqing Zhu
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
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19
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Liu HY, Li X, Wang ZG, Liu SL. Virus-mimicking nanosystems: from design to biomedical applications. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:8481-8499. [PMID: 37929845 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00138e] [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: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicine, as an interdisciplinary discipline involving the development and application of nanoscale materials and technologies, is rapidly developing under the impetus of bionanotechnology and has attracted a great deal of attention from researchers. Especially, with the global outbreak of COVID-19, the in-depth investigation of the infection mechanism of the viruses has made the study of virus-mimicking nanosystems (VMNs) a popular research topic. In this review, we initiate with a brief historical perspective on the emergence and development of VMNs for providing a comprehensive view of the field. Next, we present emerging design principles and functionalization strategies for fabricating VMNs in light of viral infection mechanisms. Then, we describe recent advances in VMNs in biology, with a major emphasis on representative examples. Finally, we summarize the opportunities and challenges that exist in this field, hoping to provide new insights and inspiration to develop VMNs for disease diagnosis and treatment and to attract the interest of more researchers from different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China.
| | - Xiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China.
| | - Zhi-Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China.
| | - Shu-Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, P. R. China
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20
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Kibria MG, Lavine CL, Tang W, Wang S, Gao H, Shi W, Zhu H, Voyer J, Rits‐Volloch S, Keerti, Bi C, Peng H, Wesemann DR, Lu J, Xie H, Seaman MS, Chen B. Antibody-mediated SARS-CoV-2 entry in cultured cells. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57724. [PMID: 38277394 PMCID: PMC10702815 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357724] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters host cells by first engaging its cellular receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to induce conformational changes in the virus-encoded spike protein and fusion between the viral and target cell membranes. Here, we report that certain monoclonal neutralizing antibodies against distinct epitopic regions of the receptor-binding domain of the spike can replace ACE2 to serve as a receptor and efficiently support membrane fusion and viral infectivity in vitro. These receptor-like antibodies can function in the form of a complex of their soluble immunoglobulin G with Fc-gamma receptor I, a chimera of their antigen-binding fragment with the transmembrane domain of ACE2 or a membrane-bound B cell receptor, indicating that ACE2 and its specific interaction with the spike protein are dispensable for SARS-CoV-2 entry. These results suggest that antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 may help expand the viral tropism to otherwise nonpermissive cell types with potential implications for viral transmission and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Golam Kibria
- Division of Molecular MedicineBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Christy L Lavine
- Center for Virology and Vaccine ResearchBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMAUSA
| | - Weichun Tang
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Viral Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and ResearchUnited States Food and Drug AdministrationSilver SpringMDUSA
| | | | - Hailong Gao
- Division of Molecular MedicineBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Wei Shi
- Division of Molecular MedicineBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Haisun Zhu
- Institute for Protein Innovation, Harvard Institutes of MedicineBostonMAUSA
| | - Jewel Voyer
- Division of Molecular MedicineBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | | | - Keerti
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and HarvardBostonMAUSA
| | - Caihong Bi
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and HarvardBostonMAUSA
| | - Hanqin Peng
- Division of Molecular MedicineBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Duane R Wesemann
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and HarvardBostonMAUSA
| | - Jianming Lu
- Codex BioSolutions, Inc.RockvilleMDUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular BiologyGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Hang Xie
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Viral Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and ResearchUnited States Food and Drug AdministrationSilver SpringMDUSA
| | - Michael S Seaman
- Center for Virology and Vaccine ResearchBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMAUSA
| | - Bing Chen
- Division of Molecular MedicineBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Department of PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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21
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Lei R, Qing E, Odle A, Yuan M, Tan TJ, So N, Ouyang WO, Wilson IA, Gallagher T, Perlman S, Wu NC, Wong LYR. Functional and antigenic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 spike fusion peptide by deep mutational scanning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.28.569051. [PMID: 38076875 PMCID: PMC10705381 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.28.569051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The fusion peptide of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is functionally important for membrane fusion during virus entry and is part of a broadly neutralizing epitope. However, sequence determinants at the fusion peptide and its adjacent regions for pathogenicity and antigenicity remain elusive. In this study, we performed a series of deep mutational scanning (DMS) experiments on an S2 region spanning the fusion peptide of authentic SARS-CoV-2 in different cell lines and in the presence of broadly neutralizing antibodies. We identified mutations at residue 813 of the spike protein that reduced TMPRSS2-mediated entry with decreased virulence. In addition, we showed that an F823Y mutation, present in bat betacoronavirus HKU9 spike protein, confers resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and also highlight a potential challenge in developing broadly protective S2-based coronavirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruipeng Lei
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Enya Qing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Abby Odle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Meng Yuan
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Timothy J.C. Tan
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Natalie So
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Wenhao O. Ouyang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ian A. Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Nicholas C. Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Lok-Yin Roy Wong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Center for Virus-Host-Innate Immunity, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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22
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Yánez Arcos DL, Thirumuruganandham SP. Structural and pKa Estimation of the Amphipathic HR1 in SARS-CoV-2: Insights from Constant pH MD, Linear vs. Nonlinear Normal Mode Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16190. [PMID: 38003380 PMCID: PMC10671649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216190] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of molecular interactions and functions is imperative for unraveling the intricacies of viral protein behavior and conformational dynamics during cellular entry. Focusing on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2 sp), a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on a subset comprising 131 A-chain structures in presence of various inhibitors was conducted. Our analyses unveiled a compelling correlation between PCA modes and Anisotropic Network Model (ANM) modes, underscoring the reliability and functional significance of low-frequency modes in adapting to diverse inhibitor binding scenarios. The role of HR1 in viral processing, both linear Normal Mode Analysis (NMA) and Nonlinear NMA were implemented. Linear NMA exhibited substantial inter-structure variability, as evident from a higher Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) range (7.30 Å), nonlinear NMA show stability throughout the simulations (RMSD 4.85 Å). Frequency analysis further emphasized that the energy requirements for conformational changes in nonlinear modes are notably lower compared to their linear counterparts. Using simulations of molecular dynamics at constant pH (cpH-MD), we successfully predicted the pKa order of the interconnected residues within the HR1 mutations at lower pH values, suggesting a transition to a post-fusion structure. The pKa determination study illustrates the profound effects of pH variations on protein structure. Key results include pKa values of 9.5179 for lys-921 in the D936H mutant, 9.50 for the D950N mutant, and a slightly higher value of 10.49 for the D936Y variant. To further understand the behavior and physicochemical characteristics of the protein in a biologically relevant setting, we also examine hydrophobic regions in the prefused states of the HR1 protein mutants D950N, D936Y, and D936H in our study. This analysis was conducted to ascertain the hydrophobic moment of the protein within a lipid environment, shedding light on its behavior and physicochemical properties in a biologically relevant context.
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23
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Jain R, Mathew D. Mechanisms influencing the high prevalence of COVID-19 in diabetics: A systematic review. MEDICAL RESEARCH ARCHIVES 2023; 11:4540. [PMID: 38933091 PMCID: PMC11198970 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v11i10.4540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Diabetics have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 infection and tend to have more severe symptoms. This systematic review explores the potential mechanisms influencing the high prevalence of COVID-19 infections in individuals with diabetes. It reviews the emerging evidence about the interactions between viral and diabetic pathways, particularly how diabetes physiology could contribute to higher viral reception, viral entry and pathogenicity, and the severity of disease symptoms. Finally, it examines the challenges we face in studying these mechanisms and offers new strategies that might assist our fight against current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshni Jain
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557
| | - Dennis Mathew
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557
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24
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Wu M, Li W, Lin S, Fan J, Cui L, Xiang Y, Li K, Tang L, Duan Y, Chen Z, Yang F, Shui W, Lu G, Lai Y. A Suitable Membrane Distance Regulated by the RBD_ACE2 Interaction is Critical for SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Mediated Viral Invasion. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301478. [PMID: 37590389 PMCID: PMC10558659 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike recognizing the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) initiates membrane fusion between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and cell membrane. Although the structure of the RBD_ACE2 complex has been well studied, its functional mechanism in membrane fusion is still not fully understood. Here, using an in vitro cell-vesicle content-mixing assay, it is found that the cleavage at the S2' site by thrombin (Thr) protease strongly accelerates membrane fusion, compared to that of cleavage at the S1/S2 site by PreScission (3C) protease. Moreover, mutations at the RBD_ACE2 interface resulted in a positive correlation between binding affinity and fusion probability. In both the cell-vesicle and cell-cell fusion assays, by crosslinking two membranes via the neutravidin (NTV)_biotin interaction or complementary DNA strands, it is found that spike drives membrane fusion in the absence of ACE2, and a suitable distance between two membranes is critical for spike-mediated membrane fusion. Finally, unsuitable membrane crosslinkers significantly inhibited the fusion probability in the presence of ACE2. Taken together, the results suggest that the RBD_ACE2 complex may act as a crosslinker to bridge the viral and cell membranes at a suitable distance, which is critical, but also substitutable for spike-mediated SARS-CoV-2 entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdan Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Wei Li
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Sheng Lin
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Jiaqi Fan
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Lele Cui
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Yijuan Xiang
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Kaiyu Li
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Linwei Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Yanping Duan
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Zimin Chen
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Fanli Yang
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Weiwei Shui
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Guangwen Lu
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Ying Lai
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
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25
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Abstract
There are at least 21 families of enveloped viruses that infect mammals, and many contain members of high concern for global human health. All enveloped viruses have a dedicated fusion protein or fusion complex that enacts the critical genome-releasing membrane fusion event that is essential before viral replication within the host cell interior can begin. Because all enveloped viruses enter cells by fusion, it behooves us to know how viral fusion proteins function. Viral fusion proteins are also major targets of neutralizing antibodies, and hence they serve as key vaccine immunogens. Here we review current concepts about viral membrane fusion proteins focusing on how they are triggered, structural intermediates between pre- and postfusion forms, and their interplay with the lipid bilayers they engage. We also discuss cellular and therapeutic interventions that thwart virus-cell membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M White
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA;
| | - Amanda E Ward
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Laura Odongo
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Lukas K Tamm
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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26
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Odongo L, Habtegebrael BH, Kiessling V, White JM, Tamm LK. A novel in vitro system of supported planar endosomal membranes (SPEMs) reveals an enhancing role for cathepsin B in the final stage of Ebola virus fusion and entry. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0190823. [PMID: 37728342 PMCID: PMC10581071 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01908-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a hemorrhagic fever with fatality rates up to 90%. The EBOV entry process is complex and incompletely understood. Following attachment to host cells, EBOV is trafficked to late endosomes/lysosomes where its glycoprotein (GP) is processed to a 19-kDa form, which binds to the EBOV intracellular receptor Niemann-Pick type C1. We previously showed that the cathepsin protease inhibitor, E-64d, blocks infection by pseudovirus particles bearing 19-kDa GP, suggesting that further cathepsin action is needed to trigger fusion. This, however, has not been demonstrated directly. Since 19-kDa Ebola GP fusion occurs in late endosomes, we devised a system in which enriched late endosomes are used to prepare supported planar endosomal membranes (SPEMs), and fusion of fluorescent (pseudo)virus particles is monitored by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. We validated the system by demonstrating the pH dependencies of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA)-mediated and Lassa virus (LASV) GP-mediated fusion. Using SPEMs, we showed that fusion mediated by 19-kDa Ebola GP is dependent on low pH, enhanced by Ca2+, and augmented by the addition of cathepsins. Subsequently, we found that E-64d inhibits full fusion, but not lipid mixing, mediated by 19-kDa GP, which we corroborated with the reversible cathepsin inhibitor VBY-825. Hence, we provide both gain- and loss-of-function evidence that further cathepsin action enhances the fusion activity of 19-kDa Ebola GP. In addition to providing new insights into how Ebola GP mediates fusion, the approach we developed employing SPEMs can now be broadly used for studies of virus and toxin entry through endosomes. IMPORTANCE Ebola virus is the causative agent of Ebola virus disease, which is severe and frequently lethal. EBOV gains entry into cells via late endosomes/lysosomes. The events immediately preceding fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes are incompletely understood. In this study, we report a novel in vitro system for studying virus fusion with endosomal membranes. We validated the system by demonstrating the low pH dependencies of influenza and Lassa virus fusion. Moreover, we show that further cathepsin B action enhances the fusion activity of the primed Ebola virus glycoprotein. Finally, this model endosomal membrane system should be useful in studying the mechanisms of bilayer breaching by other enveloped viruses, by non-enveloped viruses, and by acid-activated bacterial toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Odongo
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Betelihem H. Habtegebrael
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Volker Kiessling
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Judith M. White
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Lukas K. Tamm
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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27
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Zhang Q, Tang W, Stancanelli E, Jung E, Syed Z, Pagadala V, Saidi L, Chen CZ, Gao P, Xu M, Pavlinov I, Li B, Huang W, Chen L, Liu J, Xie H, Zheng W, Ye Y. Host heparan sulfate promotes ACE2 super-cluster assembly and enhances SARS-CoV-2-associated syncytium formation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5777. [PMID: 37723160 PMCID: PMC10507024 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41453-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes spike-dependent fusion of infected cells with ACE2 positive neighboring cells, generating multi-nuclear syncytia that are often associated with severe COVID. To better elucidate the mechanism of spike-induced syncytium formation, we combine chemical genetics with 4D confocal imaging to establish the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as a critical stimulator for spike-induced cell-cell fusion. We show that HS binds spike and promotes spike-induced ACE2 clustering, forming synapse-like cell-cell contacts that facilitate fusion pore formation between ACE2-expresing and spike-transfected human cells. Chemical or genetic inhibition of HS mitigates ACE2 clustering, and thus, syncytium formation, whereas in a cell-free system comprising purified HS and lipid-anchored ACE2, HS stimulates ACE2 clustering directly in the presence of spike. Furthermore, HS-stimulated syncytium formation and receptor clustering require a conserved ACE2 linker distal from the spike-binding site. Importantly, the cell fusion-boosting function of HS can be targeted by an investigational HS-binding drug, which reduces syncytium formation in vitro and viral infection in mice. Thus, HS, as a host factor exploited by SARS-CoV-2 to facilitate receptor clustering and a stimulator of infection-associated syncytium formation, may be a promising therapeutic target for severe COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Weichun Tang
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Virus Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Eduardo Stancanelli
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Eunkyung Jung
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Zulfeqhar Syed
- Electron Microscopy Core, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Vijayakanth Pagadala
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Glycan Therapeutics Corp, 617 Hutton Street, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Layla Saidi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Catherine Z Chen
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Peng Gao
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Miao Xu
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Ivan Pavlinov
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Bing Li
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Wenwei Huang
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Liqiang Chen
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Hang Xie
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Virus Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Yihong Ye
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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28
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Qing E, Gallagher T. Adaptive variations in SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins: effects on distinct virus-cell entry stages. mBio 2023; 14:e0017123. [PMID: 37382441 PMCID: PMC10470846 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00171-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolved SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) spread through human populations in succession. Major virus variations are in the entry-facilitating viral spike (S) proteins; Omicron VOCs have 29-40 S mutations relative to ancestral D614G viruses. The impacts of this Omicron divergence on S protein structure, antigenicity, cell entry pathways, and pathogenicity have been extensively evaluated, yet gaps remain in correlating specific alterations with S protein functions. In this study, we compared the functions of ancestral D614G and Omicron VOCs using cell-free assays that can reveal differences in several distinct steps of the S-directed virus entry process. Relative to ancestral D614G, Omicron BA.1 S proteins were hypersensitized to receptor activation, to conversion into intermediate conformational states, and to membrane fusion-activating proteases. We identified mutations conferring these changes in S protein character by evaluating domain-exchanged D614G/Omicron recombinants in the cell-free assays. Each of the three functional alterations was mapped to specific S protein domains, with the recombinants providing insights on inter-domain interactions that fine-tune S-directed virus entry. Our results provide a structure-function atlas of the S protein variations that may promote the transmissibility and infectivity of current and future SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. IMPORTANCE Continuous SARS-CoV-2 adaptations generate increasingly transmissible variants. These succeeding variants show ever-increasing evasion of suppressive antibodies and host factors, as well as increasing invasion of susceptible host cells. Here, we evaluated the adaptations enhancing invasion. We used reductionist cell-free assays to compare the entry steps of ancestral (D614G) and Omicron (BA.1) variants. Relative to D614G, Omicron entry was distinguished by heightened responsiveness to entry-facilitating receptors and proteases and by enhanced formation of intermediate states that execute virus-cell membrane fusion. We found that these Omicron-specific characteristics arose from mutations in specific S protein domains and subdomains. The results reveal the inter-domain networks controlling S protein dynamics and efficiencies of entry steps, and they offer insights on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants that arise and ultimately dominate infections worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enya Qing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
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Wrobel AG. Mechanism and evolution of human ACE2 binding by SARS-CoV-2 spike. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 81:102619. [PMID: 37285618 PMCID: PMC10183628 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 mediates viral entry into host cells by facilitating virus attachment and membrane fusion. ACE2 is the main receptor of SARS-CoV-2 and its interaction with spike has shaped the virus' emergence from an animal reservoir and subsequent evolution in the human host. Many structural studies on the spike:ACE2 interaction have provided insights into mechanisms driving viral evolution during the on-going pandemic. This review describes the molecular basis of spike binding to ACE2, outlines mechanisms that have optimised this interaction during viral evolution, and suggests directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni G Wrobel
- Structural Biology of Disease Processes Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
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30
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Goiriz L, Ruiz R, Garibo-i-Orts Ò, Conejero JA, Rodrigo G. A variant-dependent molecular clock with anomalous diffusion models SARS-CoV-2 evolution in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303578120. [PMID: 37459528 PMCID: PMC10372551 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303578120] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in humans has been monitored at an unprecedented level due to the public health crisis, yet the stochastic dynamics underlying such a process is dubious. Here, considering the number of acquired mutations as the displacement of the viral particle from the origin, we performed biostatistical analyses from numerous whole genome sequences on the basis of a time-dependent probabilistic mathematical model. We showed that a model with a constant variant-dependent evolution rate and nonlinear mutational variance with time (i.e., anomalous diffusion) explained the SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary motion in humans during the first 120 wk of the pandemic in the United Kingdom. In particular, we found subdiffusion patterns for the Primal, Alpha, and Omicron variants but a weak superdiffusion pattern for the Delta variant. Our findings indicate that non-Brownian evolutionary motions occur in nature, thereby providing insight for viral phylodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Goiriz
- BioInstituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat de València, 46980Paterna, Spain
- Institut Universitari de Matemàtica Pura i Aplicada, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022Valencia, Spain
| | - Raúl Ruiz
- BioInstituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat de València, 46980Paterna, Spain
| | - Òscar Garibo-i-Orts
- Institut Universitari de Matemàtica Pura i Aplicada, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022Valencia, Spain
| | - J. Alberto Conejero
- Institut Universitari de Matemàtica Pura i Aplicada, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022Valencia, Spain
| | - Guillermo Rodrigo
- BioInstituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat de València, 46980Paterna, Spain
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Kant R, Kareinen L, Ojha R, Strandin T, Saber SH, Lesnikova A, Kuivanen S, Sirnonen T, Joensuu M, Vapalahti O, Kirchhausen T, Kipar A, Balistreri G. Complete Protection from SARS-CoV-2 Lung Infection in Mice Through Combined Intranasal Delivery of PIKfyve Kinase and TMPRSS2 Protease Inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.19.549731. [PMID: 37503261 PMCID: PMC10370096 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.19.549731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Emerging variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 can significantly reduce the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of vaccines and neutralizing antibodies due to mutations in the viral genome. Targeting cell host factors required for infection provides a complementary strategy to overcome this problem since the host genome is less susceptible to variation during the life span of infection. The enzymatic activities of the endosomal PIKfyve phosphoinositide kinase and the serine protease TMPRSS2 are essential to meditate infection in two complementary viral entry pathways. Simultaneous inhibition in cultured cells of their enzymatic activities with the small molecule inhibitors apilimod dimesylate and nafamostat mesylate synergistically prevent viral entry and infection of native SARS-CoV-2 and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-SARS-CoV-2 chimeras expressing the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike (S) protein and of variants of concern. We now report prophylactic prevention of lung infection in mice intranasally infected with SARS-CoV-2 beta by combined intranasal delivery of very low doses of apilimod dimesylate and nafamostat mesylate, in a formulation that is stable for over 3 months at room temperature. Administration of these drugs up to 6 hours post infection did not inhibit infection of the lungs but substantially reduced death of infected airway epithelial cells. The efficiency and simplicity of formulation of the drug combination suggests its suitability as prophylactic or therapeutic treatment against SARS-CoV-2 infection in households, point of care facilities, and under conditions where refrigeration would not be readily available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kant
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Ojha
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomas Strandin
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saber Hassan Saber
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Angelina Lesnikova
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Tarja Sirnonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merja Joensuu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tom Kirchhausen
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Balistreri
- Medicum Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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32
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Shrivastava N, Guffie J, Moore TL, Guzelturk B, Kumbhar AS, Wen J, Luo Z. Surface-Doped Zinc Gallate Colloidal Nanoparticles Exhibit pH-Dependent Radioluminescence with Enhancement in Acidic Media. NANO LETTERS 2023. [PMID: 37399282 PMCID: PMC10375584 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
As abnormal acidic pH symbolizes dysfunctions of cells, it is highly desirable to develop pH-sensitive luminescent materials for diagnosing disease and imaging-guided therapy using high-energy radiation. Herein, we explored near-infrared-emitting Cr-doped zinc gallate ZnGa2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) in colloidal solutions with different pH levels under X-ray excitation. Ultrasmall NPs were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method by controlling the addition of ammonium hydroxide precursor and reaction time, and structural characterization revealed Cr dopants on the surface of NPs. The synthesized NPs exhibited different photoluminescence and radioluminescence mechanisms, confirming the surface distribution of activators. It was observed that the colloidal NPs emit pH-dependent radioluminescence in a linear relationship, and the enhancement reached 4.6-fold when pH = 4 compared with the colloidal NPs in the neutral solution. This observation provides a strategy for developing new biomaterials by engineering activators on the nanoparticle surfaces for potential pH-sensitive imaging and imaging-guided therapy using high-energy radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navadeep Shrivastava
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301, United States
| | - Jessa Guffie
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301, United States
| | - Tamela L Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301, United States
| | - Burak Guzelturk
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Amar S Kumbhar
- Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Laboratory, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jianguo Wen
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Zhiping Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301, United States
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33
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Saunders JL, Daniels IA, Edwards TL, Relich RF, Zhao Y, Smith LA, Gaston BM, Davis MD. Effects of pH alteration on respiratory syncytial virus in human airway epithelial cells. ERJ Open Res 2023; 9:00404-2022. [PMID: 37465558 PMCID: PMC10351676 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00404-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory distress and hospitalisation in the paediatric population. Low airway surface pH impairs antimicrobial host defence and worsens airway inflammation. Inhaled Optate safely raises airway surface pH in humans and raises intracellular pH in primary human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) in vitro. We aimed to determine whether raising intracellular pH with Optate would decrease infection and replication of RSV in primary HAECs. Methods We cultured HAECs from healthy subjects in both air-liquid interface and submerged conditions. We infected HAECs with green fluorescent protein-labelled RSV (GFP-RSV; multiplicity of infection=1) and treated them with Optate or PBS control. We collected supernatant after a 4-h incubation and then every 24 h. We used fluorescence intensity, fluorescent particle counts, plaque assays, Western blots and ELISA to quantitate infection. Results In submerged culture, fluorescence intensity decreased in Optate-treated cells (48 h p=0.0174, 72 h p≤0.001). Similarly, Optate treatment resulted in decreased fluorescent particle count (48 h p=0.0178, 72 h p=0.0019) and plaque-forming units (48 h p=0.0011, 72 h p=0.0148) from cell culture supernatant. In differentiated HAECs cultured at ALI, Optate treatment decreased fluorescence intensity (p≤0.01), GFP via Western blot and ELISA (p<0.0001), and RSV-fusion protein via ELISA (p=0.001). Additionally, RSV infection decreased as Optate concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.001). Conclusions Optate inhibits RSV infection in primary HAECs in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that Optate may have potential as an inhaled therapeutic for patients with RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Saunders
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ivana A. Daniels
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Taiya L. Edwards
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ryan F. Relich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Laura A. Smith
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Benjamin M. Gaston
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Michael D. Davis
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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34
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Shi W, Cai Y, Zhu H, Peng H, Voyer J, Rits-Volloch S, Cao H, Mayer ML, Song K, Xu C, Lu J, Zhang J, Chen B. Cryo-EM structure of SARS-CoV-2 postfusion spike in membrane. Nature 2023; 619:403-409. [PMID: 37285872 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06273-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells depends on the refolding of the virus-encoded spike protein from a prefusion conformation, which is metastable after cleavage, to a lower-energy stable postfusion conformation1,2. This transition overcomes kinetic barriers for fusion of viral and target cell membranes3,4. Here we report a cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the intact postfusion spike in a lipid bilayer that represents the single-membrane product of the fusion reaction. The structure provides structural definition of the functionally critical membrane-interacting segments, including the fusion peptide and transmembrane anchor. The internal fusion peptide forms a hairpin-like wedge that spans almost the entire lipid bilayer and the transmembrane segment wraps around the fusion peptide at the last stage of membrane fusion. These results advance our understanding of the spike protein in a membrane environment and may guide development of intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shi
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yongfei Cai
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- CSL Seqirus, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Haisun Zhu
- Institute for Protein Innovation, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hanqin Peng
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jewel Voyer
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hong Cao
- Codex BioSolutions, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Megan L Mayer
- The Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kangkang Song
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Cryo-EM Core Facility, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Cryo-EM Core Facility, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jianming Lu
- Codex BioSolutions, Rockville, MD, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jun Zhang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Bing Chen
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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35
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Cervantes M, Hess T, Morbioli GG, Sengar A, Kasson PM. The ACE2 receptor accelerates but is not biochemically required for SARS-CoV-2 membrane fusion. Chem Sci 2023; 14:6997-7004. [PMID: 37389252 PMCID: PMC10306070 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06967a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infects human cells via the ACE2 receptor. Structural evidence suggests that ACE2 may not just serve as an attachment factor but also conformationally activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for membrane fusion. Here, we test that hypothesis directly, using DNA-lipid tethering as a synthetic attachment factor in place of ACE2. We find that SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and virus-like particles are capable of membrane fusion without ACE2 if activated with an appropriate protease. Thus, ACE2 is not biochemically required for SARS-CoV-2 membrane fusion. However, addition of soluble ACE2 speeds up the fusion reaction. On a per-spike level, ACE2 appears to promote activation for fusion and then subsequent inactivation if an appropriate protease is not present. Kinetic analysis suggests at least two rate-limiting steps for SARS-CoV-2 membrane fusion, one of which is ACE2 dependent and one of which is not. Since ACE2 serves as a high-affinity attachment factor on human cells, the possibility to replace it with other factors implies a flatter fitness landscape for host adaptation by SARS-CoV-2 and future related coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Cervantes
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22908 USA
| | - Tobin Hess
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22908 USA
| | - Giorgio G Morbioli
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22908 USA
| | - Anjali Sengar
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22908 USA
| | - Peter M Kasson
- Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22908 USA
- Science for Life Laboratory and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Uppsala University Uppsala SE 75123 USA
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36
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D'Arco A, Di Fabrizio M, Mancini T, Mosetti R, Macis S, Tranfo G, Della Ventura G, Marcelli A, Petrarca M, Lupi S. Secondary Structures of MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins Revealed by Infrared Vibrational Spectroscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119550. [PMID: 37298500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
All coronaviruses are characterized by spike glycoproteins whose S1 subunits contain the receptor binding domain (RBD). The RBD anchors the virus to the host cellular membrane to regulate the virus transmissibility and infectious process. Although the protein/receptor interaction mainly depends on the spike's conformation, particularly on its S1 unit, their secondary structures are poorly known. In this paper, the S1 conformation was investigated for MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 at serological pH by measuring their Amide I infrared absorption bands. The SARS-CoV-2 S1 secondary structure revealed a strong difference compared to those of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, with a significant presence of extended β-sheets. Furthermore, the conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 S1 showed a significant change by moving from serological pH to mild acidic and alkaline pH conditions. Both results suggest the capability of infrared spectroscopy to follow the secondary structure adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 S1 to different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa D'Arco
- Laboratori Nazionali Frascati, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNF), Via E. Fermi 54, 00044 Frascati, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Di Fabrizio
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, School of Basic Sciences, Institute of Physics, EPFL & Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, UNIL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tiziana Mancini
- Department of Physics, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Mosetti
- Department of Physics, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Macis
- Department of Physics, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tranfo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Della Ventura
- Laboratori Nazionali Frascati, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNF), Via E. Fermi 54, 00044 Frascati, Italy
- Department of Science, University Rome Tre, Largo San Leonardo Murialdo 1, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Augusto Marcelli
- Laboratori Nazionali Frascati, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNF), Via E. Fermi 54, 00044 Frascati, Italy
- Rome International Centre for Materials Science Superstipes, Via dei Sabelli 119A, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Petrarca
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics Section Rome1, P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering (SBAI), University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Via Scarpa 16, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Lupi
- Department of Physics, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics Section Rome1, P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Sengar A, Cervantes M, Bondalapati ST, Hess T, Kasson PM. Single-Virus Fusion Measurements Reveal Multiple Mechanistically Equivalent Pathways for SARS-CoV-2 Entry. J Virol 2023; 97:e0199222. [PMID: 37133381 PMCID: PMC10231210 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01992-22] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to cell surface receptors and is activated for membrane fusion and cell entry via proteolytic cleavage. Phenomenological data have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can be activated for entry at either the cell surface or in endosomes, but the relative roles in different cell types and mechanisms of entry have been debated. Here, we used single-virus fusion experiments and exogenously controlled proteases to probe activation directly. We found that plasma membrane and an appropriate protease are sufficient to support SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus fusion. Furthermore, fusion kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses are indistinguishable no matter which of a broad range of proteases is used to activate the virus. This suggests that the fusion mechanism is insensitive to protease identity or even whether activation occurs before or after receptor binding. These data support a model for opportunistic fusion by SARS-CoV-2 in which the subcellular location of entry likely depends on the differential activity of airway, cellsurface, and endosomal proteases, but all support infection. Inhibition of any single host protease may thus reduce infection in some cells but may be less clinically robust. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 can use multiple pathways to infect cells, as demonstrated recently when new viral variants switched dominant infection pathways. Here, we used single-virus fusion experiments together with biochemical reconstitution to show that these multiple pathways coexist simultaneously and specifically that the virus can be activated by different proteases in different cellular compartments with mechanistically identical effects. The consequences of this are that the virus is evolutionarily plastic and that therapies targeting viral entry should address multiple pathways at once to achieve optimal clinical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Sengar
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Marcos Cervantes
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Sai T. Bondalapati
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Tobin Hess
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Peter M. Kasson
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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38
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Park SB, Khan M, Chiliveri SC, Hu X, Irvin P, Leek M, Grieshaber A, Hu Z, Jang ES, Bax A, Liang TJ. SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants harbor spike protein mutations responsible for their attenuated fusogenic phenotype. Commun Biol 2023; 6:556. [PMID: 37225764 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of the Omicron variants at the end of 2021, they quickly became the dominant variants globally. The Omicron variants may be more easily transmitted compared to the earlier Wuhan and the other variants. In this study, we aimed to elucidate mechanisms of the altered infectivity associated with the Omicron variants. We systemically evaluated mutations located in the S2 sequence of spike and identified mutations that are responsible for altered viral fusion. We demonstrated that mutations near the S1/S2 cleavage site decrease S1/S2 cleavage, resulting in reduced fusogenicity. Mutations in the HR1 and other S2 sequences also affect cell-cell fusion. Based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies and in silico modeling, these mutations affect fusogenicity possibly at multiple steps of the viral fusion. Our findings reveal that the Omicron variants have accumulated mutations that contribute to reduced syncytial formation and hence an attenuated pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Bum Park
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Mohsin Khan
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sai Chaitanya Chiliveri
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Xin Hu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Parker Irvin
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Madeleine Leek
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ailis Grieshaber
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zongyi Hu
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Eun Sun Jang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Ad Bax
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - T Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Aganovic A. pH-dependent endocytosis mechanisms for influenza A and SARS-coronavirus. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1190463. [PMID: 37234537 PMCID: PMC10206014 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1190463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the influenza epidemics have revived the interest in understanding how these highly contagious enveloped viruses respond to alterations in the physicochemical properties of their microenvironment. By understanding the mechanisms and conditions by which viruses exploit the pH environment of the host cell during endocytosis, we can gain a better understanding of how they respond to pH-regulated anti-viral therapies but also pH-induced changes in extracellular environments. This review provides a detailed explanation of the pH-dependent viral structural changes preceding and initiating viral disassembly during endocytosis for influenza A (IAV) and SARS coronaviruses. Drawing upon extensive literature from the last few decades and latest research, I analyze and compare the circumstances in which IAV and SARS-coronavirus can undertake endocytotic pathways that are pH-dependent. While there are similarities in the pH-regulated patterns leading to fusion, the mechanisms and pH activation differ. In terms of fusion activity, the measured activation pH values for IAV, across all subtypes and species, vary between approximately 5.0 to 6.0, while SARS-coronavirus necessitates a lower pH of 6.0 or less. The main difference between the pH-dependent endocytic pathways is that the SARS-coronavirus, unlike IAV, require the presence of specific pH-sensitive enzymes (cathepsin L) during endosomal transport. Conversely, the conformational changes in the IAV virus under acidic conditions in endosomes occur due to the specific envelope glycoprotein residues and envelope protein ion channels (viroporins) getting protonated by H+ ions. Despite extensive research over several decades, comprehending the pH-triggered conformational alterations of viruses still poses a significant challenge. The precise mechanisms of protonation mechanisms of certain during endosomal transport for both viruses remain incompletely understood. In absence of evidence, further research is needed.
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Wang H, Yuan Z, Pavel MA, Jablonski SM, Jablonski J, Hobson R, Valente S, Reddy CB, Hansen SB. The role of high cholesterol in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. J Biol Chem 2023:104763. [PMID: 37119851 PMCID: PMC10140059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) is a respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus binds to angiotensinogen converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) which mediates viral entry into mammalian cells. COVID19 is notably severe in elderly and those with underlying chronic conditions. The cause of selective severity is not well understood. Here we show cholesterol and the signaling lipid phosphatidyl-inositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) regulate viral infectivity through the localization of ACE2's into nanoscopic (<200 nm) lipid clusters. Uptake of cholesterol into cell membranes (a condition common to chronic disease) causes ACE2 to move from PIP2 lipids to endocytic ganglioside (GM1) lipids, where the virus is optimally located for viral entry. In mice, age, and high fat diet increase lung tissue cholesterol by up to 40%. And in smokers with chronic disease, cholesterol is elevated two-fold, a magnitude of change that dramatically increases infectivity of virus in cell culture. We conclude increasing the ACE2 location near endocytic lipids increases viral infectivity and may help explain the selective severity of COVID-19 in aged and diseased populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA; Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Zixuan Yuan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA; Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Mahmud Arif Pavel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | | | - Joseph Jablonski
- Department of Immunology and Virology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Robert Hobson
- Bruker Nano Surfaces, Fitchburg, WI, 53711, USA; Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Susana Valente
- Department of Immunology and Virology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA
| | - Chakravarthy B Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Scott B Hansen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
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41
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Hessien M, Donia T, Tabll AA, Adly E, Abdelhafez TH, Attia A, Alkafaas SS, Kuna L, Glasnovic M, Cosic V, Smolic R, Smolic M. Mechanistic-Based Classification of Endocytosis-Related Inhibitors: Does It Aid in Assigning Drugs against SARS-CoV-2? Viruses 2023; 15:v15051040. [PMID: 37243127 DOI: 10.3390/v15051040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) canonically utilizes clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and several other endocytic mechanisms to invade airway epithelial cells. Endocytic inhibitors, particularly those targeting CME-related proteins, have been identified as promising antiviral drugs. Currently, these inhibitors are ambiguously classified as chemical, pharmaceutical, or natural inhibitors. However, their varying mechanisms may suggest a more realistic classification system. Herein, we present a new mechanistic-based classification of endocytosis inhibitors, in which they are segregated among four distinct classes including: (i) inhibitors that disrupt endocytosis-related protein-protein interactions, and assembly or dissociation of complexes; (ii) inhibitors of large dynamin GTPase and/or kinase/phosphatase activities associated with endocytosis; (iii) inhibitors that modulate the structure of subcellular components, especially the plasma membrane, and actin; and (iv) inhibitors that cause physiological or metabolic alterations in the endocytosis niche. Excluding antiviral drugs designed to halt SARS-CoV-2 replication, other drugs, either FDA-approved or suggested through basic research, could be systematically assigned to one of these classes. We observed that many anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs could be included either in class III or IV as they interfere with the structural or physiological integrity of subcellular components, respectively. This perspective may contribute to our understanding of the relative efficacy of endocytosis-related inhibitors and support the optimization of their individual or combined antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2. However, their selectivity, combined effects, and possible interactions with non-endocytic cellular targets need more clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Hessien
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Thoria Donia
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Ashraf A Tabll
- National Research Centre, Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, Giza 12622, Egypt
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), Cairo 11517, Egypt
| | - Eiman Adly
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Tawfeek H Abdelhafez
- National Research Centre, Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Amany Attia
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Samar Sami Alkafaas
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Lucija Kuna
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marija Glasnovic
- Department of Medicine, Family Medicine and History of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vesna Cosic
- Department of Paediatrics and Gynaecology with Obstetrics, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Robert Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Martina Smolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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42
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Clements N, Arvelo I, Arnold P, Heredia NJ, Hodges UW, Deresinski S, Cook PW, Hamilton KA. Informing Building Strategies to Reduce Infectious Aerosol Transmission Risk by Integrating DNA Aerosol Tracers with Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5771-5781. [PMID: 37000413 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Using aerosol-based tracers to estimate risk of infectious aerosol transmission aids in the design of buildings with adequate protection against aerosol transmissible pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. We propose a method for scaling a SARS-CoV-2 bulk aerosol quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model for impulse emissions, coughing or sneezing, with aerosolized synthetic DNA tracer concentration measurements. With point-of-emission ratios describing relationships between tracer and respiratory aerosol emission characteristics (i.e., volume and RNA or DNA concentrations) and accounting for aerosolized pathogen loss of infectivity over time, we scale the inhaled pathogen dose and risk of infection with time-integrated tracer concentrations measured with a filter sampler. This tracer-scaled QMRA model is evaluated through scenario testing, comparing the impact of ventilation, occupancy, masking, and layering interventions on infection risk. We apply the tracer-scaled QMRA model to measurement data from an ambulatory care room to estimate the risk reduction resulting from HEPA air cleaner operation. Using DNA tracer measurements to scale a bulk aerosol QMRA model is a relatively simple method of estimating risk in buildings and can be applied to understand the impact of risk mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Clements
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Ilan Arvelo
- SafeTraces, Inc., Pleasanton, California 94588, United States
| | - Phil Arnold
- SafeTraces, Inc., Pleasanton, California 94588, United States
| | | | - Ulrike W Hodges
- SafeTraces, Inc., Pleasanton, California 94588, United States
| | - Stan Deresinski
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Peter W Cook
- Independent researcher, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, United States
| | - Kerry A Hamilton
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
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43
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Rehman T, Welsh MJ. Inflammation as a Regulator of the Airway Surface Liquid pH in Cystic Fibrosis. Cells 2023; 12:1104. [PMID: 37190013 PMCID: PMC10137218 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The airway surface liquid (ASL) is a thin sheet of fluid that covers the luminal aspect of the airway epithelium. The ASL is a site of several first-line host defenses, and its composition is a key factor that determines respiratory fitness. Specifically, the acid-base balance of ASL has a major influence on the vital respiratory defense processes of mucociliary clearance and antimicrobial peptide activity against inhaled pathogens. In the inherited disorder cystic fibrosis (CF), loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel function reduces HCO3- secretion, lowers the pH of ASL (pHASL), and impairs host defenses. These abnormalities initiate a pathologic process whose hallmarks are chronic infection, inflammation, mucus obstruction, and bronchiectasis. Inflammation is particularly relevant as it develops early in CF and persists despite highly effective CFTR modulator therapy. Recent studies show that inflammation may alter HCO3- and H+ secretion across the airway epithelia and thus regulate pHASL. Moreover, inflammation may enhance the restoration of CFTR channel function in CF epithelia exposed to clinically approved modulators. This review focuses on the complex relationships between acid-base secretion, airway inflammation, pHASL regulation, and therapeutic responses to CFTR modulators. These factors have important implications for defining optimal ways of tackling CF airway inflammation in the post-modulator era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayyab Rehman
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael J. Welsh
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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44
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Yang K, Wang C, Kreutzberger AJB, White KI, Pfuetzner RA, Esquivies L, Kirchhausen T, Brunger AT. Structure-based design of a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-specific inhibitor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300360120. [PMID: 36940324 PMCID: PMC10068829 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300360120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) introduced a relatively large number of mutations, including three mutations in the highly conserved heptad repeat 1 (HR1) region of the spike glycoprotein (S) critical for its membrane fusion activity. We show that one of these mutations, N969K induces a substantial displacement in the structure of the heptad repeat 2 (HR2) backbone in the HR1HR2 postfusion bundle. Due to this mutation, fusion-entry peptide inhibitors based on the Wuhan strain sequence are less efficacious. Here, we report an Omicron-specific peptide inhibitor designed based on the structure of the Omicron HR1HR2 postfusion bundle. Specifically, we inserted an additional residue in HR2 near the Omicron HR1 K969 residue to better accommodate the N969K mutation and relieve the distortion in the structure of the HR1HR2 postfusion bundle it introduced. The designed inhibitor recovers the loss of inhibition activity of the original longHR2_42 peptide with the Wuhan strain sequence against the Omicron variant in both a cell-cell fusion assay and a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-SARS-CoV-2 chimera infection assay, suggesting that a similar approach could be used to combat future variants. From a mechanistic perspective, our work suggests the interactions in the extended region of HR2 may mediate the initial landing of HR2 onto HR1 during the transition of the S protein from the prehairpin intermediate to the postfusion state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailu Yang
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Chuchu Wang
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Alex J. B. Kreutzberger
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - K. Ian White
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Richard A. Pfuetzner
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Luis Esquivies
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Tomas Kirchhausen
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Axel T. Brunger
- HHMI, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Photon Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
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45
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Zhang Q, Tang WC, Stancanelli E, Jung E, Syed Z, Pagadala V, Saidi L, Chen CZ, Gao P, Xu M, Pavlinov I, Li B, Huang W, Chen L, Liu J, Xie H, Zheng W, Ye Y. Heparan sulfate promotes ACE2 super-cluster assembly to enhance SARS-CoV-2-associated syncytium formation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2693563. [PMID: 37034606 PMCID: PMC10081376 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2693563/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of syncytium formation, caused by spike-induced cell-cell fusion in severe COVID-19, is largely unclear. Here we combine chemical genetics with 4D confocal imaging to establish the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as a critical host factor exploited by SARS-CoV-2 to enhance spike’s fusogenic activity. HS binds spike to facilitate ACE2 clustering, generating synapse-like cell-cell contacts to promote fusion pore formation. ACE2 clustering, and thus, syncytium formation is significantly mitigated by chemical or genetic elimination of cell surface HS, while in a cell-free system consisting of purified HS, spike, and lipid-anchored ACE2, HS directly induces ACE2 clustering. Importantly, the interaction of HS with spike allosterically enables a conserved ACE2 linker in receptor clustering, which concentrates spike at the fusion site to overcome fusion-associated activity loss. This fusion-boosting mechanism can be effectively targeted by an investigational HS-binding drug, which reduces syncytium formation in vitro and viral infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Wei-Chun Tang
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Viral Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research & Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, US Food & Drug Administration
| | | | | | | | | | - Layla Saidi
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
| | | | - Peng Gao
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Miao Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Ivan Pavlinov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Bing Li
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Wenwei Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | | | | | - Hang Xie
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Viral Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research & Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, US Food & Drug Administration
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46
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Hansen SB, Yuan Z. Getting in on the action: New tools to see SARS-CoV-2 infect a cell. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:233-234. [PMID: 36931249 PMCID: PMC10018748 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.02.010] [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: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Miao et al. develop probes for live cell tracking of SARS-CoV-2. The probes reveal the endocytic pathway for viral entry. Unexpectedly, the antiviral compound BafA1 traps the virus on the cell surface, highlighting the power of super-resolution imaging in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott B Hansen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UF Scripps, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, UF Scripps, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
| | - Zixuan Yuan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UF Scripps, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, UF Scripps, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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47
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Schuhmacher M, Hoogendoorn S. Out With a Bang: Celebrating Global Chemical Biology. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:218-222. [PMID: 36648442 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
On November 8-10, 2022, 163 participants from all over the world gathered at the Campus Biotech in Geneva, Switzerland to share in the latest research in chemical biology. The fourth international symposium of the Swiss National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR) Chemical Biology coincided with the end of this successful research consortium, and as such this event marked a celebration of the past 12 years of chemical biology research in Switzerland. The inspiring talks delivered by the 15 well-known scientists, balanced in gender, expertise, and geographic location, as well as the numerous poster presentations by junior scientists showcased the breadth of global chemical biology and the bright future ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Schuhmacher
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sascha Hoogendoorn
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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48
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Sun W. Insulin may promote SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and replication in diabetes patients. Med Hypotheses 2023; 170:110997. [PMID: 36540082 PMCID: PMC9756566 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2022.110997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Patients with diabetes often have severe hyperglycemia triggered by novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Insulin treatment should be the main approach to the control of acute hyperglycemia in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, clinical investigation found that insulin treatment is associated with a significant increase in mortality risk in patients with diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The reason for this high mortality rate remains obscure. Previous studies have demonstrated that insulin is an activator of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) which could decrease extracellular pH and increase intracellular pH and glycolysis. Here, the author emphasizes insulin may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and multiplication in host cells through activation of Na+/H+ exchange. Additionally, the inhibition of Na+ /H+ exchange activity or glycolytic flux can result in reduced mortality in patients with COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus during insulin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwu Sun
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theatre Command, No. 83 Wenhua Rd, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
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49
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Shi W, Cai Y, Zhu H, Peng H, Voyer J, Rits-Volloch S, Cao H, Mayer ML, Song K, Xu C, Lu J, Zhang J, Chen B. Cryo-EM structure of SARS-CoV-2 postfusion spike in membrane. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.12.05.519151. [PMID: 36523411 PMCID: PMC9753783 DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.05.519151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into host cells depends on refolding of the virus-encoded spike protein from a prefusion conformation, metastable after cleavage, to a lower energy, stable postfusion conformation. This transition overcomes kinetic barriers for fusion of viral and target cell membranes. We report here a cryo-EM structure of the intact postfusion spike in a lipid bilayer that represents single-membrane product of the fusion reaction. The structure provides structural definition of the functionally critical membraneinteracting segments, including the fusion peptide and transmembrane anchor. The internal fusion peptide forms a hairpin-like wedge that spans almost the entire lipid bilayer and the transmembrane segment wraps around the fusion peptide at the last stage of membrane fusion. These results advance our understanding of the spike protein in a membrane environment and may guide development of intervention strategies.
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Matveeva O, Nechipurenko Y, Lagutkin D, Yegorov YE, Kzhyshkowska J. SARS-CoV-2 infection of phagocytic immune cells and COVID-19 pathology: Antibody-dependent as well as independent cell entry. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1050478. [PMID: 36532011 PMCID: PMC9751203 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1050478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Our review summarizes the evidence that COVID-19 can be complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection of immune cells. This evidence is widespread and accumulating at an increasing rate. Research teams from around the world, studying primary and established cell cultures, animal models, and analyzing autopsy material from COVID-19 deceased patients, are seeing the same thing, namely that some immune cells are infected or capable of being infected with the virus. Human cells most vulnerable to infection include both professional phagocytes, such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, as well as nonprofessional phagocytes, such as B-cells. Convincing evidence has accumulated to suggest that the virus can infect monocytes and macrophages, while data on infection of dendritic cells and B-cells are still scarce. Viral infection of immune cells can occur directly through cell receptors, but it can also be mediated or enhanced by antibodies through the Fc gamma receptors of phagocytic cells. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) most likely occurs during the primary encounter with the pathogen through the first COVID-19 infection rather than during the second encounter, which is characteristic of ADE caused by other viruses. Highly fucosylated antibodies of vaccinees seems to be incapable of causing ADE, whereas afucosylated antibodies of persons with acute primary infection or convalescents are capable. SARS-CoV-2 entry into immune cells can lead to an abortive infection followed by host cell pyroptosis, and a massive inflammatory cascade. This scenario has the most experimental evidence. Other scenarios are also possible, for which the evidence base is not yet as extensive, namely productive infection of immune cells or trans-infection of other non-immune permissive cells. The chance of a latent infection cannot be ruled out either.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Matveeva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Denis Lagutkin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- National Medical Research Center of Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yegor E. Yegorov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg – Hessen, Mannheim, Germany
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
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