1
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Bezerra PR, Almeida FCL. Structural basis for the participation of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in the template switch mechanism and genomic RNA reorganization. J Biol Chem 2024:107834. [PMID: 39343000 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107834] [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: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant toll of deaths worldwide, exceeding seven million individuals, prompting intensive research efforts aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite the rapid development of effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions, COVID-19 remains a threat to humans due to the emergence of novel variants and largely unknown long-term consequences. Among the viral proteins, the nucleocapsid protein (N) stands out as the most conserved and abundant, playing the primary role in nucleocapsid assembly and genome packaging. The N protein is promiscuous for the recognition of RNA, yet it can perform specific functions. Here, we discuss the structural basis of specificity, which is directly linked to its regulatory role. Notably, the RNA chaperone activity of N is central to its multiple roles throughout the viral life cycle. This activity encompasses double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) annealing and melting and facilitates template switching, enabling discontinuous transcription. N also promotes the formation of membraneless compartments through liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS), thereby facilitating the congregation of the replication and transcription complex (RTC). Considering the information available regarding the catalytic activities and binding signatures of the N protein‒RNA interaction, this review focuses on the regulatory role of the SARS-CoV‒2 N protein. We emphasize the participation of the N protein in discontinuous transcription, template switching, and RNA chaperone activity, including double-stranded RNA melting and annealing activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R Bezerra
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN), CENABIO, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio C L Almeida
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN), CENABIO, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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2
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Bezerra PR, Vasconcelos AA, Almeida VS, Neves-Martins TC, Mebus-Antunes NC, Almeida FCL. 1H, 15N, and 13C resonance assignments of the N-terminal domain and ser-arg-rich intrinsically disordered region of the nucleocapsid protein of the SARS-CoV-2. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2024:10.1007/s12104-024-10191-5. [PMID: 39174826 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-024-10191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a multifunctional protein involved in nucleocapsid assembly and various regulatory functions. It is the most abundant protein during viral infection. Its functionality is closely related to its structure, which comprises two globular domains, the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the C-terminal domain (CTD), flanked by intrinsically disordered regions. The linker between the NTD and CTD includes a Serine-Arginine rich (SR) region, which is crucial for the regulation of the N protein's function. Here, we report the near-complete assignment of the construct containing the NTD followed by the SR region (NTD-SR). Additionally, we describe the dynamic nature of the SR region and compare it with all other available chemical shift assignments reported for the SR region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R Bezerra
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN), National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ariana A Vasconcelos
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN), National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vitor S Almeida
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN), National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thais C Neves-Martins
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathane C Mebus-Antunes
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio C L Almeida
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Medical Biochemistry (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CNRMN), National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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3
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Mackeown M, Kung YA, Davila-Calderon J, Ford WP, Luo L, Henry B, Li ML, Brewer G, Shih SR, Tolbert BS. The 5'UTR of HCoV-OC43 adopts a topologically constrained structure to intrinsically repress translation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:103028. [PMID: 36805339 PMCID: PMC9930382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.103028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the need for rapid characterization of viral mechanisms associated with cellular pathogenesis. Viral UTRs represent conserved genomic elements that contribute to such mechanisms. Structural details of most CoV UTRs are not available, however. Experimental approaches are needed to allow for the facile generation of high-quality viral RNA tertiary structural models, which can facilitate comparative mechanistic efforts. By integrating experimental and computational techniques, we herein report the efficient characterization of conserved RNA structures within the 5'UTR of the HCoV-OC43 genome, a lab-tractable model coronavirus. We provide evidence that the 5'UTR folds into a structure with well-defined stem-loops (SLs) as determined by chemical probing and direct detection of hydrogen bonds by NMR. We combine experimental base-pair restraints with global structural information from SAXS to generate a 3D model that reveals that SL1-4 adopts a topologically constrained structure wherein SLs 3 and 4 coaxially stack. Coaxial stacking is mediated by short linker nucleotides and allows SLs 1 to 2 to sample different cojoint orientations by pivoting about the SL3,4 helical axis. To evaluate the functional relevance of the SL3,4 coaxial helix, we engineered luciferase reporter constructs harboring the HCoV-OC43 5'UTR with mutations designed to abrogate coaxial stacking. Our results reveal that the SL3,4 helix intrinsically represses translation efficiency since the destabilizing mutations correlate with increased luciferase expression relative to wildtype without affecting reporter mRNA levels, thus highlighting how the 5'UTR structure contributes to the viral mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Mackeown
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Yu-An Kung
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | | | - William P Ford
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Le Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Barrington Henry
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mei-Ling Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Gary Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shin-Ru Shih
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Blanton S Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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4
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Discovery and structural characterization of chicoric acid as a SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein ligand and RNA binding disruptor. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18500. [PMID: 36323732 PMCID: PMC9628480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22576-4] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein plays critical roles in coronavirus genome transcription and packaging, representing a key target for the development of novel antivirals, and for which structural information on ligand binding is scarce. We used a novel fluorescence polarization assay to identify small molecules that disrupt the binding of the N protein to a target RNA derived from the SARS-CoV-2 genome packaging signal. Several phenolic compounds, including L-chicoric acid (CA), were identified as high-affinity N-protein ligands. The binding of CA to the N protein was confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry, 1H-STD and 15N-HSQC NMR, and by the crystal structure of CA bound to the N protein C-terminal domain (CTD), further revealing a new modulatory site in the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. Moreover, CA reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell cultures. These data thus open venues for the development of new antivirals targeting the N protein, an essential and yet underexplored coronavirus target.
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Ribeiro-Filho HV, Jara GE, Batista FAH, Schleder GR, Costa Tonoli CC, Soprano AS, Guimarães SL, Borges AC, Cassago A, Bajgelman MC, Marques RE, Trivella DBB, Franchini KG, Figueira ACM, Benedetti CE, Lopes-de-Oliveira PS. Structural dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein induced by RNA binding. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010121. [PMID: 35551296 PMCID: PMC9129039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causal agent of COVID-19, is a multifunction phosphoprotein that plays critical roles in the virus life cycle, including transcription and packaging of the viral RNA. To play such diverse roles, the N protein has two globular RNA-binding modules, the N- (NTD) and C-terminal (CTD) domains, which are connected by an intrinsically disordered region. Despite the wealth of structural data available for the isolated NTD and CTD, how these domains are arranged in the full-length protein and how the oligomerization of N influences its RNA-binding activity remains largely unclear. Herein, using experimental data from electron microscopy and biochemical/biophysical techniques combined with molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that, in the absence of RNA, the N protein formed structurally dynamic dimers, with the NTD and CTD arranged in extended conformations. However, in the presence of RNA, the N protein assumed a more compact conformation where the NTD and CTD are packed together. We also provided an octameric model for the full-length N bound to RNA that is consistent with electron microscopy images of the N protein in the presence of RNA. Together, our results shed new light on the dynamics and higher-order oligomeric structure of this versatile protein. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus plays an essential role in virus particle assembly as it specifically binds to and wraps the virus genomic RNA into a well-organized structure known as the ribonucleoprotein. Understanding how the N protein wraps around the virus RNA is critical for the development of strategies to inhibit virus assembly within host cells. One of the limitations regarding the molecular structure of the ribonucleoprotein, however, is that the N protein has several unstructured and mobile regions that preclude the resolution of its full atomic structure. Moreover, the N protein can form higher-order oligomers, both in the presence and absence of RNA. Here we employed computational methods, supported by experimental data, to simulate the N protein structural dynamics in the absence and presence of RNA. Our data suggest that the N protein forms structurally dynamic dimers in the absence of RNA, with its structured N- and C-terminal domains oriented in extended conformations. In the presence of RNA, however, the N protein assumes a more compact conformation. Our model for the oligomeric structure of the N protein bound to RNA helps to understand how N protein dimers interact to each other to form the ribonucleoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helder Veras Ribeiro-Filho
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Ernesto Jara
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Ravanhani Schleder
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Celisa Caldana Costa Tonoli
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Adriana Santos Soprano
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Samuel Leite Guimarães
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos Borges
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Cassago
- Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Marcio Chaim Bajgelman
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Rafael Elias Marques
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Kleber Gomes Franchini
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Celso Eduardo Benedetti
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
- * E-mail: (CEB); (PSLO)
| | - Paulo Sergio Lopes-de-Oliveira
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
- * E-mail: (CEB); (PSLO)
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6
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Koetzner CA, Hurst-Hess KR, Kuo L, Masters PS. Analysis of a crucial interaction between the coronavirus nucleocapsid protein and the major membrane-bound subunit of the viral replicase-transcriptase complex. Virology 2021; 567:1-14. [PMID: 34933176 PMCID: PMC8669624 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein comprises two RNA-binding domains connected by a central spacer, which contains a serine- and arginine-rich (SR) region. The SR region engages the largest subunit of the viral replicase-transcriptase, nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3), in an interaction that is essential for efficient initiation of infection by genomic RNA. We carried out an extensive genetic analysis of the SR region of the N protein of mouse hepatitis virus in order to more precisely define its role in RNA synthesis. We further examined the N-nsp3 interaction through construction of nsp3 mutants and by creation of an interspecies N protein chimera. Our results indicate a role for the central spacer as an interaction hub of the N molecule that is partially regulated by phosphorylation. These findings are discussed in relation to the recent discovery that nsp3 forms a molecular pore in the double-membrane vesicles that sequester the coronavirus replicase-transcriptase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri A Koetzner
- Laboratory of Viral Replication and Vector Biology, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
| | - Kelley R Hurst-Hess
- Laboratory of Viral Replication and Vector Biology, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
| | - Lili Kuo
- Laboratory of Viral Replication and Vector Biology, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
| | - Paul S Masters
- Laboratory of Viral Replication and Vector Biology, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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7
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Parkhe P, Verma S. Evolution, Interspecies Transmission, and Zoonotic Significance of Animal Coronaviruses. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:719834. [PMID: 34738021 PMCID: PMC8560429 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.719834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses that affect humans and a wide variety of animal species, including livestock, wild animals, birds, and pets. These viruses have an affinity for different tissues, such as those of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of most mammals and birds and the hepatic and nervous tissues of rodents and porcine. As coronaviruses target different host cell receptors and show divergence in the sequences and motifs of their structural and accessory proteins, they are classified into groups, which may explain the evolutionary relationship between them. The interspecies transmission, zoonotic potential, and ability to mutate at a higher rate and emerge into variants of concern highlight their importance in the medical and veterinary fields. The contribution of various factors that result in their evolution will provide better insight and may help to understand the complexity of coronaviruses in the face of pandemics. In this review, important aspects of coronaviruses infecting livestock, birds, and pets, in particular, their structure and genome organization having a bearing on evolutionary and zoonotic outcomes, have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Subhash Verma
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, DGCN College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India
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8
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Caruso ÍP, Sanches K, Da Poian AT, Pinheiro AS, Almeida FCL. Dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein N-terminal domain triggers RNA duplex destabilization. Biophys J 2021; 120:2814-2827. [PMID: 34197802 PMCID: PMC8239202 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of betacoronaviruses is responsible for nucleocapsid assembly and other essential regulatory functions. The N protein N-terminal domain (N-NTD) interacts and melts the double-stranded transcriptional regulatory sequences (dsTRSs), regulating the discontinuous subgenome transcription process. Here, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the binding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 N-NTD to nonspecific (NS) and TRS dsRNAs. We probed dsRNAs' Watson-Crick basepairing over 25 replicas of 100 ns MD simulations, showing that only one N-NTD of dimeric N is enough to destabilize dsRNAs, triggering melting initiation. dsRNA destabilization driven by N-NTD was more efficient for dsTRSs than dsNS. N-NTD dynamics, especially a tweezer-like motion of β2-β3 and Δ2-β5 loops, seems to play a key role in Watson-Crick basepairing destabilization. Based on experimental information available in the literature, we constructed kinetics models for N-NTD-mediated dsRNA melting. Our results support a 1:1 stoichiometry (N-NTD/dsRNA), matching MD simulations and raising different possibilities for N-NTD action: 1) two N-NTD arms of dimeric N would bind to two different RNA sites, either closely or spatially spaced in the viral genome, in a cooperative manner; and 2) monomeric N-NTD would be active, opening up the possibility of a regulatory dissociation event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ícaro P Caruso
- Multiuser Center for Biomolecular Innovation and Department of Physics, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Karoline Sanches
- Multiuser Center for Biomolecular Innovation and Department of Physics, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea T Da Poian
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anderson S Pinheiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio C L Almeida
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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9
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Wu C, Qavi AJ, Hachim A, Kavian N, Cole AR, Moyle AB, Wagner ND, Sweeney-Gibbons J, Rohrs HW, Gross ML, Peiris JSM, Basler CF, Farnsworth CW, Valkenburg SA, Amarasinghe GK, Leung DW. Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein reveals multiple functional consequences of the C-terminal domain. iScience 2021; 24:102681. [PMID: 34095780 PMCID: PMC8168301 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleocapsid (N) encoded by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) plays key roles in the replication cycle and is a critical serological marker. Here, we characterize essential biochemical properties of N and describe the utility of these insights in serological studies. We define N domains important for oligomerization and RNA binding and show that N oligomerization provides a high-affinity RNA-binding platform. We also map the RNA-binding interface, showing protection in the N-terminal domain and linker region. In addition, phosphorylation causes reduction of RNA binding and redistribution of N from liquid droplets to loose coils, showing how N-RNA accessibility and assembly may be regulated by phosphorylation. Finally, we find that the C-terminal domain of N is the most immunogenic, based on antibody binding to patient samples. Together, we provide a biochemical description of SARS-CoV-2 N and highlight the value of using N domains as highly specific and sensitive diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abraham J. Qavi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Asmaa Hachim
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Niloufar Kavian
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Service d’Immunologie Biologique, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Aidan R. Cole
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Austin B. Moyle
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicole D. Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joyce Sweeney-Gibbons
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Henry W. Rohrs
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael L. Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - J. S. Malik Peiris
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher F. Basler
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher W. Farnsworth
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sophie A. Valkenburg
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gaya K. Amarasinghe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daisy W. Leung
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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10
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Chen SC, Olsthoorn RCL, Yu CH. Structural phylogenetic analysis reveals lineage-specific RNA repetitive structural motifs in all coronaviruses and associated variations in SARS-CoV-2. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab021. [PMID: 34141447 PMCID: PMC8206606 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In many single-stranded (ss) RNA viruses, the cis-acting packaging signal that confers selectivity genome packaging usually encompasses short structured RNA repeats. These structural units, termed repetitive structural motifs (RSMs), potentially mediate capsid assembly by specific RNA–protein interactions. However, general knowledge of the conservation and/or the diversity of RSMs in the positive-sense ssRNA coronaviruses (CoVs) is limited. By performing structural phylogenetic analysis, we identified a variety of RSMs in nearly all CoV genomic RNAs, which are exclusively located in the 5′-untranslated regions (UTRs) and/or in the inter-domain regions of poly-protein 1ab coding sequences in a lineage-specific manner. In all alpha- and beta-CoVs, except for Embecovirus spp, two to four copies of 5′-gUUYCGUc-3′ RSMs displaying conserved hexa-loop sequences were generally identified in Stem-loop 5 (SL5) located in the 5′-UTRs of genomic RNAs. In Embecovirus spp., however, two to eight copies of 5′-agc-3′/guAAu RSMs were found in the coding regions of non-structural protein (NSP) 3 and/or NSP15 in open reading frame (ORF) 1ab. In gamma- and delta-CoVs, other types of RSMs were found in several clustered structural elements in 5′-UTRs and/or ORF1ab. The identification of RSM-encompassing structural elements in all CoVs suggests that these RNA elements play fundamental roles in the life cycle of CoVs. In the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2, beta-CoV-specific RSMs are also found in its SL5, displaying two copies of 5′-gUUUCGUc-3′ motifs. However, multiple sequence alignment reveals that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 possesses a variant RSM harboring SL5b C241U, and intriguingly, several variations in the coding sequences of viral proteins, such as Nsp12 P323L, S protein D614G, and N protein R203K-G204R, are concurrently found with such variant RSM. In conclusion, the comprehensive exploration for RSMs reveals phylogenetic insights into the RNA structural elements in CoVs as a whole and provides a new perspective on variations currently found in SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Cheng Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - René C L Olsthoorn
- Department of Supramolecular Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden,The Netherlands
| | - Chien-Hung Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
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11
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Khan S, Hussain Z, Safdar M, Khan A, Wei DQ. Targeting the N-terminal domain of the RNA-binding protein of the SARS-CoV-2 with high affinity natural compounds to abrogate the protein-RNA interaction: a molecular dynamics study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:6286-6294. [PMID: 33554747 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1882337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of COVID-19 took the world by shock in December 2019, starting from Wuhan, China and swiftly spreading across the globe. The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise which is a global burden on the health care system worldwide. Efforts are continuing to come up with a solution either to develop a small molecular inhibitor or vaccine, but still no success. In the fight against SARS-CoV-2, targeting a different protein of the SARS-CoV-2 is the need of the hour to impede and relinquish the current pandemic. Therefore, in this study, computational modelling and simulation approaches are used to target the N-terminal domain of the phosphor-nucleoprotein (RNA binding protein), which is primarily responsible for binding and packing the viral genome to get ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP). Our multi-step drug screening approach shortlisted potential drugs. These top hits were confirmed by re-docking which revealed that the interacting molecules block the key residues i.e. Thr57, His59, Ser105, Arg107, and Arg177 and thus ultimately block the NTD from RNA recognition. Furthermore, the activity of the top four hits was also confirmed by using molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculation. Our analysis suggests that these top hits possess strong inhibitory properties and should be tested experimentally. In conclusion, we hope these top hits would abrogate the binding of RNA and the NTD of the SARS-CoV-2, which might be helpful to combat COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohail Khan
- Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zahid Hussain
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Mingora, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Safdar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
| | - Abbas Khan
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, and Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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12
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Tatar G, Ozyurt E, Turhan K. Computational drug repurposing study of the RNA binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein with antiviral agents. Biotechnol Prog 2020; 37:e3110. [PMID: 33314794 PMCID: PMC7883068 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in China caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has led to worldwide human infections and deaths. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses (CoVs) is a multifunctional RNA binding protein necessary for viral RNA replication and transcription. Therefore, it is a potential antiviral drug target, serving multiple critical functions during the viral life cycle. This study addresses the potential to repurpose antiviral compounds approved or in development for treating human CoV induced infections against SARS‐CoV‐2 N. For this purpose, we used the docking methodology to better understand the inhibitory mechanism of this protein with the existing 34 antiviral compounds. The results of this analysis indicate that rapamycin, saracatinib, camostat, trametinib, and nafamostat were the top hit compounds with binding energy (−11.87, −10.40, −9.85, −9.45, −9.35 kcal/mol, respectively). This analysis also showed that the most common residues that interact with the compounds are Phe66, Arg68, Gly69, Tyr123, Ile131, Trp132, Val133, and Ala134. Subsequently, protein‐ligand complex stability was examined with molecular dynamics simulations for these five compounds, which showed the best binding affinity. According to the results of this study, the interaction between these compounds and crucial residues of the target protein were maintained. These results suggest that these residues are potential drug targeting sites for the SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein. This study information will contribute to the development of novel compounds for further in vitro and in vivo studies of SARS‐CoV‐2, as well as possible new drug repurposing strategies to treat COVID‐19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Tatar
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Ozyurt
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Kemal Turhan
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
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13
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Carlson CR, Asfaha JB, Ghent CM, Howard CJ, Hartooni N, Safari M, Frankel AD, Morgan DO. Phosphoregulation of Phase Separation by the SARS-CoV-2 N Protein Suggests a Biophysical Basis for its Dual Functions. Mol Cell 2020; 80:1092-1103.e4. [PMID: 33248025 PMCID: PMC7677695 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses serves two major functions: compaction of the RNA genome in the virion and regulation of viral gene transcription. It is not clear how the N protein mediates such distinct functions. The N protein contains two RNA-binding domains surrounded by regions of intrinsic disorder. Phosphorylation of the central disordered region promotes the protein's transcriptional function, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here, we show that the N protein of SARS-CoV-2, together with viral RNA, forms biomolecular condensates. Unmodified N protein forms partially ordered gel-like condensates and discrete 15-nm particles based on multivalent RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Phosphorylation reduces these interactions, generating a more liquid-like droplet. We propose that distinct oligomeric states support the two functions of the N protein: unmodified protein forms a structured oligomer that is suited for nucleocapsid assembly, and phosphorylated protein forms a liquid-like compartment for viral genome processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Carlson
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jonathan B Asfaha
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Chloe M Ghent
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Conor J Howard
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Nairi Hartooni
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Maliheh Safari
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Alan D Frankel
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David O Morgan
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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14
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Dhankhar P, Dalal V, Singh V, Tomar S, Kumar P. Computational guided identification of novel potent inhibitors of N-terminal domain of nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:4084-4099. [PMID: 33251943 PMCID: PMC7754992 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1852968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is an exceptionally contagious disease that leads to global epidemics with elevated mortality and morbidity. There are currently no efficacious drugs targeting coronavirus disease 2019, therefore, it is an urgent requirement for the development of drugs to control this emerging disease. Owing to the importance of nucleocapsid protein, the present study focuses on targeting the N-terminal domain of nucleocapsid protein from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to identify the potential compounds by computational approaches such as pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamics. We found three molecules (ZINC000257324845, ZINC000005169973 and ZINC000009913056), which adopted a similar conformation as guanosine monophosphate (GMP) within the N-terminal domain active site and exhibiting high binding affinity (>−8.0 kcalmol−1). All the identified compounds were stabilized by hydrogen bonding with Arg107, Tyr111 and Arg149 of N-terminal domain. Additionally, the aromatic ring of lead molecules formed π interactions with Tyr109 of N-terminal domain. Molecular dynamics and Molecular mechanic/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area results revealed that N-terminal domain – ligand(s) complexes are less dynamic and more stable than N-terminal domain – GMP complex. As the identified compounds share the same corresponding pharmacophore properties, therefore, the present results may serve as a potential lead for the development of inhibitors against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Dhankhar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vikram Dalal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vishakha Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Shailly Tomar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Pravindra Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
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15
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Wu C, Qavi AJ, Hachim A, Kavian N, Cole AR, Moyle AB, Wagner ND, Sweeney-Gibbons J, Rohrs HW, Gross ML, Peiris JSM, Basler CF, Farnsworth CW, Valkenburg SA, Amarasinghe GK, Leung DW. Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 N protein reveals multiple functional consequences of the C-terminal domain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.11.30.404905. [PMID: 33269347 PMCID: PMC7709165 DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.30.404905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nucleocapsid protein (N) is the most abundant viral protein encoded by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. N plays key roles at different steps in the replication cycle and is used as a serological marker of infection. Here we characterize the biochemical properties of SARS-CoV-2 N. We define the N domains important for oligomerization and RNA binding that are associated with spherical droplet formation and suggest that N accessibility and assembly may be regulated by phosphorylation. We also map the RNA binding interface using hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Finally, we find that the N protein C-terminal domain is the most immunogenic by sensitivity, based upon antibody binding to COVID-19 patient samples from the US and Hong Kong. Together, these findings uncover domain-specific insights into the significance of SARS-CoV-2 N and highlight the diagnostic value of using N domains as highly specific and sensitive markers of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abraham J Qavi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Asmaa Hachim
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Niloufar Kavian
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Service d'Immunologie Biologique, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris
| | - Aidan R Cole
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Austin B Moyle
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicole D Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joyce Sweeney-Gibbons
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Henry W Rohrs
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - J S Malik Peiris
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher F Basler
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher W Farnsworth
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sophie A Valkenburg
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gaya K Amarasinghe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daisy W Leung
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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16
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Advanced approaches for elucidating structures of large RNAs using NMR spectroscopy and complementary methods. Methods 2020; 183:93-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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17
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Zhu G, Zhu C, Zhu Y, Sun F. Minireview of progress in the structural study of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2020; 1:53-61. [PMID: 33236001 PMCID: PMC7323663 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A severe form of pneumonia, named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization, broke out in China and rapidly developed into a global pandemic, with millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths reported globally. The novel coronavirus, which was designated as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the etiological agent of COVID-19. On the basis of experience accumulated following previous SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV outbreaks and research, a series of studies have been conducted rapidly, and major progress has been achieved with regard to the understanding of the phylogeny and genomic organization of SARS-CoV-2 in addition its molecular mechanisms of infection and replication. In the present review, we summarized crucial developments in the elucidation of the structure and function of key SARS-CoV-2 proteins, especially the main protease, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, spike glycoprotein, and nucleocapsid protein. Results of studies on their associated inhibitors and drugs have also been highlighted.
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Key Words
- 3CLpro, 3C-like protease
- 6-HB, six-helix bundle
- ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- CatB/L, cysteine proteases-cathepsin B and L
- Drug-screening
- E protein, Envelope protein
- Genome-encoded proteins
- HR1, heptad repeat 1
- HR2, heptad repeat 2
- M protein, Membrane protein
- MERS-CoV, the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- Mpro, Main protease
- N protein, Nucleocapsid protein
- NSP, non-structural protein
- ORF, Open reading frame
- PD, peptidase domain
- RBD, receptor-binding domain
- RBM, receptor-binding motif
- RMP, The remdesivir monophosphate
- RdRp, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
- S protein, Spike glycoprotein
- SARS-CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- SARS-CoV-2
- SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- Structure-based screening
- gRNA, genomic RNA
- sgRNA, subgenomic RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunmei Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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18
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Khodadadi E, Maroufi P, Khodadadi E, Esposito I, Ganbarov K, Espsoito S, Yousefi M, Zeinalzadeh E, Kafil HS. Study of combining virtual screening and antiviral treatments of the Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19). Microb Pathog 2020; 146:104241. [PMID: 32387389 PMCID: PMC7199731 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent epidemic outbreak of a novel human coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 and causing the respiratory tract disease COVID-19 has reached worldwide resonance and a global effort is being undertaken to characterize the molecular features and evolutionary origins of this virus. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic viruses plays a vital role in selecting appropriate treatments, saving people's lives and preventing epidemics. Additionally, general treatments, coronavirus-specific treatments, and antiviral treatments useful in fighting COVID-19 are addressed. This review sets out to shed light on the SARS-CoV-2 and host receptor recognition, a crucial factor for successful virus infection and taking immune-informatics approaches to identify B- and T-cell epitopes for surface glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. A variety of improved or new approaches also have been developed. It is anticipated that this will assist researchers and clinicians in developing better techniques for timely and effective detection of coronavirus infection. Moreover, the genomic sequence of the virus responsible for COVID-19, as well as the experimentally determined three-dimensional structure of the Main protease (Mpro) is available. The reported structure of the target Mpro was described in this review to identify potential drugs for COVID-19 using virtual high throughput screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsaneh Khodadadi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Parham Maroufi
- Department of Orthopedy, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Khodadadi
- Department of Biology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
| | | | | | | | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Elham Zeinalzadeh
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Hossein Samadi Kafil
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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19
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Khan A, Tahir Khan M, Saleem S, Junaid M, Ali A, Shujait Ali S, Khan M, Wei DQ. Structural insights into the mechanism of RNA recognition by the N-terminal RNA-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2174-2184. [PMID: 32837710 PMCID: PMC7419326 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of recent SARS-CoV-2 has become a global health issue. This single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus is continuously spreading with increasing morbidities and mortalities. The proteome of this virus contains four structural and sixteen nonstructural proteins that ensure the replication of the virus in the host cell. However, the role of phosphoprotein (N) in RNA recognition, replicating, transcribing the viral genome, and modulating the host immune response is indispensable. Recently, the NMR structure of the N-terminal domain of the Nucleocapsid Phosphoprotein has been reported, but its precise structural mechanism of how the ssRNA interacts with it is not reported yet. Therefore, here, we have used an integrated computational pipeline to identify the key residues, which play an essential role in RNA recognition. We generated multiple variants by using an alanine scanning strategy and performed an extensive simulation for each system to signify the role of each interfacial residue. Our analyses suggest that residues T57A, H59A, S105A, R107A, F171A, and Y172A significantly affected the dynamics and binding of RNA. Furthermore, per-residue energy decomposition analysis suggests that residues T57, H59, S105 and R107 are the key hotspots for drug discovery. Thus, these residues may be useful as potential pharmacophores in drug designing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Khan
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Muhammad Tahir Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biosciences, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shoaib Saleem
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320 Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Arif Ali
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Syed Shujait Ali
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mazhar Khan
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Hefei 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai-Islamabad-Belgrade Joint Innovation Center on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nashan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
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20
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Kang S, Yang M, Hong Z, Zhang L, Huang Z, Chen X, He S, Zhou Z, Zhou Z, Chen Q, Yan Y, Zhang C, Shan H, Chen S. Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein RNA binding domain reveals potential unique drug targeting sites. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:1228-1238. [PMID: 32363136 PMCID: PMC7194921 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 458] [Impact Index Per Article: 114.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus continually lead to worldwide human infections and deaths. Currently, there is no specific viral protein-targeted therapeutics. Viral nucleocapsid protein is a potential antiviral drug target, serving multiple critical functions during the viral life cycle. However, the structural information of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein remains unclear. Herein, we have determined the 2.7 Å crystal structure of the N-terminal RNA binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Although the overall structure is similar as other reported coronavirus nucleocapsid protein N-terminal domain, the surface electrostatic potential characteristics between them are distinct. Further comparison with mild virus type HCoV-OC43 equivalent domain demonstrates a unique potential RNA binding pocket alongside the β-sheet core. Complemented by in vitro binding studies, our data provide several atomic resolution features of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein N-terminal domain, guiding the design of novel antiviral agents specific targeting to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Kang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhongsi Hong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, Institution of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Zhaoxia Huang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Xiaoxue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Suhua He
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Ziliang Zhou
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhechong Zhou
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Qiuyue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Changsheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, Institution of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Hong Shan
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Shoudeng Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Experimental Medicine, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
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21
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Carlson CR, Asfaha JB, Ghent CM, Howard CJ, Hartooni N, Morgan DO. Phosphorylation modulates liquid-liquid phase separation of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32637943 DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.28.176248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses serves two major functions: compaction of the RNA genome in the virion and regulation of viral gene transcription in the infected cell 1-3 . The N protein contains two globular RNA-binding domains surrounded by regions of intrinsic disorder 4 . Phosphorylation of the central disordered region is required for normal viral genome transcription 5,6 , which occurs in a cytoplasmic structure called the replication transcription complex (RTC) 7-11 . It is not known how phosphorylation controls N protein function. Here we show that the N protein of SARS-CoV-2, together with viral RNA, forms biomolecular condensates 12-15 . Unmodified N protein forms partially ordered gel-like structures that depend on multivalent RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Phosphorylation reduces a subset of these interactions, generating a more liquid-like droplet. We speculate that distinct oligomeric states support the two functions of the N protein: unmodified protein forms a structured oligomer that is suited for nucleocapsid assembly, and phosphorylated protein forms a liquid-like compartment for viral genome processing. Inhibitors of N protein phosphorylation could therefore serve as antiviral therapy.
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22
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Sokoloski KJ, Nease LM, May NA, Gebhart NN, Jones CE, Morrison TE, Hardy RW. Identification of Interactions between Sindbis Virus Capsid Protein and Cytoplasmic vRNA as Novel Virulence Determinants. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006473. [PMID: 28662211 PMCID: PMC5507600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses that represent a significant threat to public health at a global level. While the formation of alphaviral nucleocapsid cores, consisting of cargo nucleic acid and the viral capsid protein, is an essential molecular process of infection, the precise interactions between the two partners are ill-defined. A CLIP-seq approach was used to screen for candidate sites of interaction between the viral Capsid protein and genomic RNA of Sindbis virus (SINV), a model alphavirus. The data presented in this report indicates that the SINV capsid protein binds to specific viral RNA sequences in the cytoplasm of infected cells, but its interaction with genomic RNA in mature extracellular viral particles is largely non-specific in terms of nucleotide sequence. Mutational analyses of the cytoplasmic viral RNA-capsid interaction sites revealed a functional role for capsid binding early in infection. Interaction site mutants exhibited decreased viral growth kinetics; however, this defect was not a function of decreased particle production. Rather mutation of the cytoplasmic capsid-RNA interaction sites negatively affected the functional capacity of the incoming viral genomic RNAs leading to decreased infectivity. Furthermore, cytoplasmic capsid interaction site mutants are attenuated in a murine model of neurotropic alphavirus infection. Collectively, the findings of this study indicate that the identified cytoplasmic interactions of the viral capsid protein and genomic RNA, while not essential for particle formation, are necessary for genomic RNA function early during infection. This previously unappreciated role of capsid protein during the alphaviral replication cycle also constitutes a novel virulence determinant. Alphaviruses can cause significant disease in infected individuals; however, our understanding of the molecular interactions that enable infection and contribute to the development of disease is limited. The work detailed in this manuscript characterizes the interaction of a viral RNA-binding protein, Capsid, with the viral genomic RNA. Importantly, these interactions were found to be at specific sites on the genome but not essential for virus assembly. Mutation of the capsid / RNA interaction sites decreased the replication of the virus and the severity of disease in a mouse model of infection. Taken together, these findings identify a previously undiscovered determinant of disease severity, and provide a potential basis for the development of new vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Sokoloski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY, United States of America
| | - Lauren M. Nease
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States of America
| | - Nicholas A. May
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Natasha N. Gebhart
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States of America
| | - Claire E. Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY, United States of America
| | - Thomas E. Morrison
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Richard W. Hardy
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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23
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Structural Characterization of Human Coronavirus NL63 N Protein. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.02503-16. [PMID: 28331093 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02503-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are responsible for upper and lower respiratory tract infections in humans. It is estimated that 1 to 10% of the population suffers annually from cold-like symptoms related to infection with human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), an alphacoronavirus. The nucleocapsid (N) protein, the major structural component of the capsid, facilitates RNA packing, links the capsid to the envelope, and is also involved in multiple other processes, including viral replication and evasion of the immune system. Although the role of N protein in viral replication is relatively well described, no structural data are currently available regarding the N proteins of alphacoronaviruses. Moreover, our understanding of the mechanisms of RNA binding and nucleocapsid formation remains incomplete. In this study, we solved the crystal structures of the N- and C-terminal domains (NTD, residues 10 to 140, and CTD, residues 221 to 340, respectively) of the N protein of HCoV-NL63, both at a 1.5-Å resolution. Based on our structure of NTD solved here, we proposed and experimentally evaluated a model of RNA binding. The structure of the CTD reveals the mode of N protein dimerization. Overall, this study expands our understanding of the initial steps of N protein-nucleic acid interaction and may facilitate future efforts to control the associated infections.IMPORTANCE Coronaviruses are responsible for the common cold and other respiratory tract infections in humans. According to multiple studies, 1 to 10% of the population is infected each year with HCoV-NL63. Viruses are relatively simple organisms composed of a few proteins and the nucleic acids that carry the information determining their composition. The nucleocapsid (N) protein studied in this work protects the nucleic acid from the environmental factors during virus transmission. This study investigated the structural arrangement of N protein, explaining the first steps of its interaction with nucleic acid at the initial stages of virus structure assembly. The results expand our understanding of coronavirus physiology and may facilitate future efforts to control the associated infections.
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24
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Characterization of Two Monoclonal Antibodies That Recognize Linker Region and Carboxyl Terminal Domain of Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Protein. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163920. [PMID: 27689694 PMCID: PMC5045181 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) nucleocapsid (N) protein plays important roles in the replication and translation of viral RNA. The present study provides the first description of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (5E8 and 3D7) directed against the TGEV N protein linker region (LKR) and carboxyl terminal domain (CTD). The mAbs 5E8 and 3D7 reacted with native N protein in western blotting and immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Two linear epitopes, 189SVEQAVLAALKKLG202 and 246VTRFYGARSSSA257, located in the LKR and CTD of TGEV N protein, respectively, were identified after truncating the protein and applying a peptide scanning technique. Using mAb 5E8, we observed that the N protein was expressed in the cytoplasm during TGEV replication and that the protein could be immunoprecipitated from TGEV-infected PK-15 cells. The mAb 5E8 can be applied for different approaches to diagnosis of TGEV infection. In addition, the antibodies represent useful tools for investigating the antigenic properties of the N protein.
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25
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Abstract
Coronaviruses have exceptionally large RNA genomes of approximately 30 kilobases. Genome replication and transcription is mediated by a multisubunit protein complex comprised of more than a dozen virus-encoded proteins. The protein complex is thought to bind specific cis-acting RNA elements primarily located in the 5'- and 3'-terminal genome regions and upstream of the open reading frames located in the 3'-proximal one-third of the genome. Here, we review our current understanding of coronavirus cis-acting RNA elements, focusing on elements required for genome replication and packaging. Recent bioinformatic, biochemical, and genetic studies suggest a previously unknown level of conservation of cis-acting RNA structures among different coronavirus genera and, in some cases, even beyond genus boundaries. Also, there is increasing evidence to suggest that individual cis-acting elements may be part of higher-order RNA structures involving long-range and dynamic RNA-RNA interactions between RNA structural elements separated by thousands of nucleotides in the viral genome. We discuss the structural and functional features of these cis-acting RNA elements and their specific functions in coronavirus RNA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Madhugiri
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - M Fricke
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - M Marz
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany; FLI Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Jena, Germany
| | - J Ziebuhr
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
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26
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Kuo L, Koetzner CA, Masters PS. A key role for the carboxy-terminal tail of the murine coronavirus nucleocapsid protein in coordination of genome packaging. Virology 2016; 494:100-7. [PMID: 27105451 PMCID: PMC4884538 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The prototype coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) exhibits highly selective packaging of its genomic positive-stranded RNA into assembled virions, despite the presence in infected cells of a large excess of subgenomic viral mRNAs. One component of this selectivity is the MHV packaging signal (PS), an RNA structure found only in genomic RNA and not in subgenomic RNAs. It was previously shown that a major determinant of PS recognition is the second of the two RNA-binding domains of the viral nucleocapsid (N) protein. We have now found that PS recognition additionally depends upon a segment of the carboxy-terminal tail (domain N3) of the N protein. Since domain N3 is also the region of N protein that interacts with the membrane (M) protein, this finding suggests a mechanism by which selective genome packaging is accomplished, through the coupling of genome encapsidation to virion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Kuo
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Cheri A Koetzner
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Paul S Masters
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States.
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27
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Yang D, Leibowitz JL. The structure and functions of coronavirus genomic 3' and 5' ends. Virus Res 2015; 206:120-33. [PMID: 25736566 PMCID: PMC4476908 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Revised: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are an important cause of illness in humans and animals. Most human coronaviruses commonly cause relatively mild respiratory illnesses; however two zoonotic coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, can cause severe illness and death. Investigations over the past 35 years have illuminated many aspects of coronavirus replication. The focus of this review is the functional analysis of conserved RNA secondary structures in the 5' and 3' of the betacoronavirus genomes. The 5' 350 nucleotides folds into a set of RNA secondary structures which are well conserved, and reverse genetic studies indicate that these structures play an important role in the discontinuous synthesis of subgenomic RNAs in the betacoronaviruses. These cis-acting elements extend 3' of the 5'UTR into ORF1a. The 3'UTR is similarly conserved and contains all of the cis-acting sequences necessary for viral replication. Two competing conformations near the 5' end of the 3'UTR have been shown to make up a potential molecular switch. There is some evidence that an association between the 3' and 5'UTRs is necessary for subgenomic RNA synthesis, but the basis for this association is not yet clear. A number of host RNA proteins have been shown to bind to the 5' and 3' cis-acting regions, but the significance of these in viral replication is not clear. Two viral proteins have been identified as binding to the 5' cis-acting region, nsp1 and N protein. A genetic interaction between nsp8 and nsp9 and the region of the 3'UTR that contains the putative molecular switch suggests that these two proteins bind to this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Julian L Leibowitz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA.
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28
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Yang D, Liu P, Wudeck EV, Giedroc DP, Leibowitz JL. SHAPE analysis of the RNA secondary structure of the Mouse Hepatitis Virus 5' untranslated region and N-terminal nsp1 coding sequences. Virology 2014; 475:15-27. [PMID: 25462342 PMCID: PMC4280293 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
SHAPE technology was used to analyze RNA secondary structure of the 5' most 474 nts of the MHV-A59 genome encompassing the minimal 5' cis-acting region required for defective interfering RNA replication. The structures generated were in agreement with previous characterizations of SL1 through SL4 and two recently predicted secondary structure elements, S5 and SL5A. SHAPE provided biochemical support for four additional stem-loops not previously functionally investigated in MHV. Secondary structure predictions for 5' regions of MHV-A59, BCoV and SARS-CoV were similar despite high sequence divergence. The pattern of SHAPE reactivity of in virio genomic RNA, ex virio genomic RNA, and in vitro synthesized RNA was similar, suggesting that binding of N protein or other proteins to virion RNA fails to protect the RNA from reaction with lipid permeable SHAPE reagent. Reverse genetic experiments suggested that SL5C and SL6 within the nsp1 coding sequence are not required for viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA
| | - Pinghua Liu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA
| | - Elyse V Wudeck
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA
| | - David P Giedroc
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Julian L Leibowitz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA.
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29
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Madhugiri R, Fricke M, Marz M, Ziebuhr J. RNA structure analysis of alphacoronavirus terminal genome regions. Virus Res 2014; 194:76-89. [PMID: 25307890 PMCID: PMC7114417 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Review of current knowledge of cis-acting RNA elements essential to coronavirus replication. Identification of RNA structural elements in alphacoronavirus terminal genome regions. Discussion of intra- and intergeneric conservation of genomic cis-acting RNA elements in alpha- and betacoronaviruses.
Coronavirus genome replication is mediated by a multi-subunit protein complex that is comprised of more than a dozen virally encoded and several cellular proteins. Interactions of the viral replicase complex with cis-acting RNA elements located in the 5′ and 3′-terminal genome regions ensure the specific replication of viral RNA. Over the past years, boundaries and structures of cis-acting RNA elements required for coronavirus genome replication have been extensively characterized in betacoronaviruses and, to a lesser extent, other coronavirus genera. Here, we review our current understanding of coronavirus cis-acting elements located in the terminal genome regions and use a combination of bioinformatic and RNA structure probing studies to identify and characterize putative cis-acting RNA elements in alphacoronaviruses. The study suggests significant RNA structure conservation among members of the genus Alphacoronavirus but also across genus boundaries. Overall, the conservation pattern identified for 5′ and 3′-terminal RNA structural elements in the genomes of alpha- and betacoronaviruses is in agreement with the widely used replicase polyprotein-based classification of the Coronavirinae, suggesting co-evolution of the coronavirus replication machinery with cognate cis-acting RNA elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramakanth Madhugiri
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Fricke
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Manja Marz
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - John Ziebuhr
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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30
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McBride R, van Zyl M, Fielding BC. The coronavirus nucleocapsid is a multifunctional protein. Viruses 2014; 6:2991-3018. [PMID: 25105276 PMCID: PMC4147684 DOI: 10.3390/v6082991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 638] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) is a structural protein that forms complexes with genomic RNA, interacts with the viral membrane protein during virion assembly and plays a critical role in enhancing the efficiency of virus transcription and assembly. Recent studies have confirmed that N is a multifunctional protein. The aim of this review is to highlight the properties and functions of the N protein, with specific reference to (i) the topology; (ii) the intracellular localization and (iii) the functions of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth McBride
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
| | - Marjorie van Zyl
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
| | - Burtram C Fielding
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
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31
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Lin SY, Liu CL, Chang YM, Zhao J, Perlman S, Hou MH. Structural basis for the identification of the N-terminal domain of coronavirus nucleocapsid protein as an antiviral target. J Med Chem 2014; 57:2247-57. [PMID: 24564608 PMCID: PMC3983370 DOI: 10.1021/jm500089r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Coronaviruses
(CoVs) cause numerous diseases, including Middle
East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome, generating
significant health-related and economic consequences. CoVs encode
the nucleocapsid (N) protein, a major structural protein that plays
multiple roles in the virus replication cycle and forms a ribonucleoprotein
complex with the viral RNA through the N protein’s N-terminal
domain (N-NTD). Using human CoV-OC43 (HCoV-OC43) as a model for CoV,
we present the 3D structure of HCoV-OC43 N-NTD complexed with ribonucleoside
5′-monophosphates to identify a distinct ribonucleotide-binding
pocket. By targeting this pocket, we identified and developed a new
coronavirus N protein inhibitor, N-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydrophenanthridin-2-yl)(N,N-dimethylamino)acetamide hydrochloride
(PJ34), using virtual screening; this inhibitor reduced the N protein’s
RNA-binding affinity and hindered viral replication. We also determined
the crystal structure of the N-NTD–PJ34 complex. On the basis
of these findings, we propose guidelines for developing new N protein-based
antiviral agents that target CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shing-Yen Lin
- College of Life Science, ‡Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, and §Agriculture Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University , Taichung 40254, Taiwan
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Recognition of the murine coronavirus genomic RNA packaging signal depends on the second RNA-binding domain of the nucleocapsid protein. J Virol 2014; 88:4451-65. [PMID: 24501403 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03866-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein forms a helical ribonucleoprotein with the viral positive-strand RNA genome and binds to the principal constituent of the virion envelope, the membrane (M) protein, to facilitate assembly and budding. Besides these structural roles, N protein associates with a component of the replicase-transcriptase complex, nonstructural protein 3, at a critical early stage of infection. N protein has also been proposed to participate in the replication and selective packaging of genomic RNA and the transcription and translation of subgenomic mRNA. Coronavirus N proteins contain two structurally distinct RNA-binding domains, an unusual characteristic among RNA viruses. To probe the functions of these domains in the N protein of the model coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), we constructed mutants in which each RNA-binding domain was replaced by its counterpart from the N protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Mapping of revertants of the resulting chimeric viruses provided evidence for extensive intramolecular interactions between the two RNA-binding domains. Through analysis of viral RNA that was packaged into virions we identified the second of the two RNA-binding domains as a principal determinant of MHV packaging signal recognition. As expected, the interaction of N protein with M protein was not affected in either of the chimeric viruses. Moreover, the SARS-CoV N substitutions did not alter the fidelity of leader-body junction formation during subgenomic mRNA synthesis. These results more clearly delineate the functions of N protein and establish a basis for further exploration of the mechanism of genomic RNA packaging. IMPORTANCE This work describes the interactions of the two RNA-binding domains of the nucleocapsid protein of a model coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus. The main finding is that the second of the two domains plays an essential role in recognizing the RNA structure that allows the selective packaging of genomic RNA into assembled virions.
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33
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Non-encapsidation activities of the capsid proteins of positive-strand RNA viruses. Virology 2013; 446:123-32. [PMID: 24074574 PMCID: PMC3818703 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2013.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Viral capsid proteins (CPs) are characterized by their role in forming protective shells around viral genomes. However, CPs have additional and important roles in the virus infection cycles and in the cellular responses to infection. These activities involve CP binding to RNAs in both sequence-specific and nonspecific manners as well as association with other proteins. This review focuses on CPs of both plant and animal-infecting viruses with positive-strand RNA genomes. We summarize the structural features of CPs and describe their modulatory roles in viral translation, RNA-dependent RNA synthesis, and host defense responses. We review regulatory activities of the capsid proteins of (+)-strand RNA viruses. Activities of capsid proteins due to RNA binding and protein binding. Effects of capsid proteins on viral processes. Effects of capsid proteins on cellular processes. Regulatory activities of the capsid proteins are affected by capsid concentrations.
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34
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Characterization of a critical interaction between the coronavirus nucleocapsid protein and nonstructural protein 3 of the viral replicase-transcriptase complex. J Virol 2013; 87:9159-72. [PMID: 23760243 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01275-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid protein (N) plays an essential structural role in virions through a network of interactions with positive-strand viral genomic RNA, the envelope membrane protein (M), and other N molecules. Additionally, N protein participates in at least one stage of the complex mechanism of coronavirus RNA synthesis. We previously uncovered an unanticipated interaction between N and the largest subunit of the viral replicase-transcriptase complex, nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3). This was found through analysis of revertants of a severely defective mutant of murine hepatitis virus (MHV) in which the N gene was replaced with that of its close relative, bovine coronavirus (BCoV). In the work reported here, we constructed BCoV chimeras and other mutants of MHV nsp3 and obtained complementary genetic evidence for its association with N protein. We found that the N-nsp3 interaction maps to the amino-terminal ubiquitin-like domain of nsp3, which is essential for the virus. The interaction does not require the adjacent acidic domain of nsp3, which is dispensable. In addition, we demonstrated a complete correspondence between N-nsp3 genetic interactions and the ability of N protein to enhance the infectivity of transfected coronavirus genomic RNA. The latter function of N was shown to depend on both of the RNA-binding domains of N, as well as on the serine- and arginine-rich central region of N, which binds nsp3. Our results support a model in which the N-nsp3 interaction serves to tether the genome to the newly translated replicase-transcriptase complex at a very early stage of infection.
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35
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Chen IJ, Yuann JMP, Chang YM, Lin SY, Zhao J, Perlman S, Shen YY, Huang TH, Hou MH. Crystal structure-based exploration of the important role of Arg106 in the RNA-binding domain of human coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:1054-62. [PMID: 23501675 PMCID: PMC3774783 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) is a causative agent of the common cold. The nucleocapsid (N) protein, which is a major structural protein of CoVs, binds to the viral RNA genome to form the virion core and results in the formation of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. We have solved the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of HCoV-OC43 N protein (N-NTD) (residues 58 to 195) to a resolution of 2.0Å. The HCoV-OC43 N-NTD is a single domain protein composed of a five-stranded β-sheet core and a long extended loop, similar to that observed in the structures of N-NTDs from other coronaviruses. The positively charged loop of the HCoV-OC43 N-NTD contains a structurally well-conserved positively charged residue, R106. To assess the role of R106 in RNA binding, we undertook a series of site-directed mutagenesis experiments and docking simulations to characterize the interaction between R106 and RNA. The results show that R106 plays an important role in the interaction between the N protein and RNA. In addition, we showed that, in cells transfected with plasmids that encoded the mutant (R106A) N protein and infected with virus, the level of the matrix protein gene was decreased by 7-fold compared to cells that were transfected with the wild-type N protein. This finding suggests that R106, by enhancing binding of the N protein to viral RNA plays a critical role in the viral replication. The results also indicate that the strength of N protein/RNA interactions is critical for HCoV-OC43 replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Jung Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Solution structure of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) nsp3a and determinants of the interaction with MHV nucleocapsid (N) protein. J Virol 2013; 87:3502-15. [PMID: 23302895 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03112-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-sense, single-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses that infect a variety of vertebrate hosts. The CoV nucleocapsid (N) protein contains two structurally independent RNA binding domains, designated the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the dimeric C-terminal domain (CTD), joined by a charged linker region rich in serine and arginine residues (SR-rich linker). An important goal in unraveling N function is to molecularly characterize N-protein interactions. Recent genetic evidence suggests that N interacts with nsp3a, a component of the viral replicase. Here we present the solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) nsp3a and show, using isothermal titration calorimetry, that MHV N219, an N construct that extends into the SR-rich linker (residues 60 to 219), binds cognate nsp3a with high affinity (equilibrium association constant [K(a)], [1.4 ± 0.3] × 10(6) M(-1)). In contrast, neither N197, an N construct containing only the folded NTD (residues 60 to 197), nor the CTD dimer (residues 260 to 380) binds nsp3a with detectable affinity. This indicates that the key nsp3a binding determinants localize to the SR-rich linker, a finding consistent with those of reverse genetics studies. NMR chemical shift perturbation analysis reveals that the N-terminal region of an MHV N SR-rich linker peptide (residues 198 to 230) binds to the acidic face of MHV nsp3a containing the acidic α2 helix with an affinity (expressed as K(a)) of 8.1 × 10(3) M(-1). These studies reveal that the SR-rich linker of MHV N is necessary but not sufficient to maintain this high-affinity binding to N.
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Identification of a noncanonically transcribed subgenomic mRNA of infectious bronchitis virus and other gammacoronaviruses. J Virol 2012; 87:2128-36. [PMID: 23221558 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02967-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus subgenomic mRNA (sgmRNA) synthesis occurs via a process of discontinuous transcription involving transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) located in the 5' leader sequence (TRS-L) and upstream of each structural and group-specific gene (TRS-B). Several gammacoronaviruses including infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) contain a putative open reading frame (ORF), localized between the M gene and gene 5, which is controversial due to the perceived absence of a TRS. We have studied the transcription of a novel sgmRNA associated with this potential ORF and found it to be transcribed via a previously unidentified noncanonical TRS-B. Using an IBV reverse genetics system, we demonstrated that the template-switching event during intergenic region (IR) sgmRNA synthesis occurs at the 5' end of the noncanonical TRS-B and recombines between nucleotides 5 and 6 of the 8-nucleotide consensus TRS-L. Introduction of a complete TRS-B showed that higher transcription levels are achieved by increasing the number of nucleotide matches between TRS-L and TRS-B. Translation of a protein from the sgmRNA was demonstrated using enhanced green fluorescent protein, suggesting the translation of a fifth, novel, group-specific protein for IBV. This study has resolved an issue concerning the number of ORFs expressed by members of the Gammacoronavirus genus and proposes the existence of a fifth IBV accessory protein. We confirmed previous reports that coronaviruses can produce sgmRNAs from noncanonical TRS-Bs, which may expand their repertoire of proteins. We also demonstrated that noncanonical TRS-Bs may provide a mechanism by which coronaviruses can control protein expression levels by reducing sgmRNA synthesis.
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