1
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Van Loy B, Stevaert A, Naesens L. The coronavirus nsp15 endoribonuclease: A puzzling protein and pertinent antiviral drug target. Antiviral Res 2024; 228:105921. [PMID: 38825019 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has bolstered unprecedented research efforts to better understand the pathogenesis of coronavirus (CoV) infections and develop effective therapeutics. We here focus on non-structural protein nsp15, a hexameric component of the viral replication-transcription complex (RTC). Nsp15 possesses uridine-specific endoribonuclease (EndoU) activity for which some specific cleavage sites were recently identified in viral RNA. By preventing accumulation of viral dsRNA, EndoU helps the virus to evade RNA sensors of the innate immune response. The immune-evading property of nsp15 was firmly established in several CoV animal models and makes it a pertinent target for antiviral therapy. The search for nsp15 inhibitors typically proceeds via compound screenings and is aided by the rapidly evolving insight in the protein structure of nsp15. In this overview, we broadly cover this fascinating protein, starting with its structure, biochemical properties and functions in CoV immune evasion. Next, we summarize the reported studies in which compound screening or a more rational method was used to identify suitable leads for nsp15 inhibitor development. In this way, we hope to raise awareness on the relevance and druggability of this unique CoV protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Van Loy
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelies Stevaert
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Naesens
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium.
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2
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Ito F, Yang H, Zhou ZH, Chen XS. Structural basis for polyuridine tract recognition by SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15. Protein Cell 2024; 15:547-552. [PMID: 38613382 PMCID: PMC11214832 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ito
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, United States
| | - Hanjing Yang
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Z Hong Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, United States
| | - Xiaojiang S Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
- Genetic, Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
- Center of Excellence in NanoBiophysics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
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3
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Avila Y, Rebolledo LP, Skelly E, de Freitas Saito R, Wei H, Lilley D, Stanley RE, Hou YM, Yang H, Sztuba-Solinska J, Chen SJ, Dokholyan NV, Tan C, Li SK, He X, Zhang X, Miles W, Franco E, Binzel DW, Guo P, Afonin KA. Cracking the Code: Enhancing Molecular Tools for Progress in Nanobiotechnology. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3587-3604. [PMID: 38833534 PMCID: PMC11190997 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Nature continually refines its processes for optimal efficiency, especially within biological systems. This article explores the collaborative efforts of researchers worldwide, aiming to mimic nature's efficiency by developing smarter and more effective nanoscale technologies and biomaterials. Recent advancements highlight progress and prospects in leveraging engineered nucleic acids and proteins for specific tasks, drawing inspiration from natural functions. The focus is developing improved methods for characterizing, understanding, and reprogramming these materials to perform user-defined functions, including personalized therapeutics, targeted drug delivery approaches, engineered scaffolds, and reconfigurable nanodevices. Contributions from academia, government agencies, biotech, and medical settings offer diverse perspectives, promising a comprehensive approach to broad nanobiotechnology objectives. Encompassing topics from mRNA vaccine design to programmable protein-based nanocomputing agents, this work provides insightful perspectives on the trajectory of nanobiotechnology toward a future of enhanced biomimicry and technological innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelixza
I. Avila
- Nanoscale
Science Program, Department of Chemistry
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Laura P. Rebolledo
- Nanoscale
Science Program, Department of Chemistry
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Elizabeth Skelly
- Nanoscale
Science Program, Department of Chemistry
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Renata de Freitas Saito
- Comprehensive
Center for Precision Oncology, Centro de Investigação
Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Departamento
de Radiologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de
São Paulo and Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São
Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Hui Wei
- College
of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing
University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P. R. China
| | - David Lilley
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Robin E. Stanley
- Signal
Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Ya-Ming Hou
- Thomas
Jefferson
University, Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, 233 South 10th Street, BLSB 220 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
| | - Haoyun Yang
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio
State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Joanna Sztuba-Solinska
- Vaccine
Research and Development, Early Bioprocess Development, Pfizer Inc., 401 N Middletown Road, Pearl
River, New York 10965, United States
| | - Shi-Jie Chen
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of
Data Sciences and Informatics, University
of Missouri at Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Nikolay V. Dokholyan
- Departments
of Pharmacology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Penn State College of Medicine; Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
- Departments
of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Cheemeng Tan
- University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - S. Kevin Li
- Division
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L Winkle
College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, United States
| | - Xiaoming He
- Fischell
Department of Bioengineering, University
of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- Department
of Cancer Biology, Breast Cancer Research Program, and University
of Cincinnati Cancer Center, Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, United States
| | - Wayne Miles
- Department
of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio
State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Elisa Franco
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90024, United States
| | - Daniel W. Binzel
- Center
for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine; College of Pharmacy, James
Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State
University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Center
for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine; College of Pharmacy, James
Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State
University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Dorothy
M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Kirill A. Afonin
- Nanoscale
Science Program, Department of Chemistry
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
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4
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Wang X, Zhu B. SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 preferentially degrades AU-rich dsRNA via its dsRNA nickase activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5257-5272. [PMID: 38634805 PMCID: PMC11109939 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been proposed that coronavirus nsp15 mediates evasion of host cell double-stranded (ds) RNA sensors via its uracil-specific endoribonuclease activity. However, how nsp15 processes viral dsRNA, commonly considered as a genome replication intermediate, remains elusive. Previous research has mainly focused on short single-stranded RNA as substrates, and whether nsp15 prefers single-stranded or double-stranded RNA for cleavage is controversial. In the present work, we prepared numerous RNA substrates, including both long substrates mimicking the viral genome and short defined RNA, to clarify the substrate preference and cleavage pattern of SARS-CoV-2 nsp15. We demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 preferentially cleaved pyrimidine nucleotides located in less thermodynamically stable areas in dsRNA, such as AU-rich areas and mismatch-containing areas, in a nicking manner. Because coronavirus genomes generally have a high AU content, our work supported the mechanism that coronaviruses evade the antiviral response mediated by host cell dsRNA sensors by using nsp15 dsRNA nickase to directly cleave dsRNA intermediates formed during genome replication and transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionglue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
- Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen 518063, China
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5
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Ho WY, Shen ZH, Chen Y, Chen TH, Lu X, Fu YS. Therapeutic implications of quercetin and its derived-products in COVID-19 protection and prophylactic. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30080. [PMID: 38765079 PMCID: PMC11098804 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30080] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel human coronavirus, which has triggered a global pandemic of the coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19). Outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases continue to challenge human health worldwide. The virus conquers human cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor-driven pathway by mostly targeting the human respiratory tract. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid widely represented in the plant kingdom. Cumulative evidence has demonstrated that quercetin and its derivatives have various pharmacological properties including anti-cancer, anti-hypertension, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-microbial, antiviral, neuroprotective, and cardio-protective effects, because it is a potential treatment for severe inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Furthermore, it is the main life-threatening condition in patients with COVID-19. This article provides a comprehensive review of the primary literature on the predictable effectiveness of quercetin and its derivatives docked to multi-target of SARS-CoV-2 and host cells via in silico and some of validation through in vitro, in vivo, and clinically to fight SARS-CoV-2 infections, contribute to the reduction of inflammation, which suggests the preventive and therapeutic latency of quercetin and its derived-products against COVID-19 pandemic, multisystem inflammatory syndromes (MIS), and long-COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Yi Ho
- Department of Anatomy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Zi-Han Shen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, 361023, Fujian, China
| | - Yijing Chen
- Department of Dentisty, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, 361023, Fujian, China
| | - Ting-Hsu Chen
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - XiaoLin Lu
- Anatomy Section, Department of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, 361023, Fujian, China
| | - Yaw-Syan Fu
- Institute of Respiratory Disease, Department of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, 361023, Fujian, China
- Anatomy Section, Department of Basic Medical Science, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, 361023, Fujian, China
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6
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Otter CJ, Bracci N, Parenti NA, Ye C, Asthana A, Blomqvist EK, Tan LH, Pfannenstiel JJ, Jackson N, Fehr AR, Silverman RH, Burke JM, Cohen NA, Martinez-Sobrido L, Weiss SR. SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 endoribonuclease antagonizes dsRNA-induced antiviral signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320194121. [PMID: 38568967 PMCID: PMC11009620 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320194121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 has caused millions of deaths since its emergence in 2019. Innate immune antagonism by lethal CoVs such as SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for optimal replication and pathogenesis. The conserved nonstructural protein 15 (nsp15) endoribonuclease (EndoU) limits activation of double-stranded (ds)RNA-induced pathways, including interferon (IFN) signaling, protein kinase R (PKR), and oligoadenylate synthetase/ribonuclease L (OAS/RNase L) during diverse CoV infections including murine coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV. To determine how nsp15 functions during SARS-CoV-2 infection, we constructed a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 (nsp15mut) expressing catalytically inactivated nsp15, which we show promoted increased dsRNA accumulation. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 nsp15mut led to increased activation of the IFN signaling and PKR pathways in lung-derived epithelial cell lines and primary nasal epithelial air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures as well as significant attenuation of replication in ALI cultures compared to wild-type virus. This replication defect was rescued when IFN signaling was inhibited with the Janus activated kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib. Finally, to assess nsp15 function in the context of minimal (MERS-CoV) or moderate (SARS-CoV-2) innate immune induction, we compared infections with SARS-CoV-2 nsp15mut and previously described MERS-CoV nsp15 mutants. Inactivation of nsp15 had a more dramatic impact on MERS-CoV replication than SARS-CoV-2 in both Calu3 cells and nasal ALI cultures suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 can better tolerate innate immune responses. Taken together, SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 is a potent inhibitor of dsRNA-induced innate immune response and its antagonism of IFN signaling is necessary for optimal viral replication in primary nasal ALI cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton J. Otter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Nicole Bracci
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Nicholas A. Parenti
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX78227
| | - Abhishek Asthana
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH44195
| | - Ebba K. Blomqvist
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Li Hui Tan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Surgery, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | | | - Nathaniel Jackson
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX78227
| | - Anthony R. Fehr
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS66045
| | - Robert H. Silverman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH44195
| | - James M. Burke
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Noam A. Cohen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Surgery, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Administration Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Luis Martinez-Sobrido
- Disease Intervention and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX78227
| | - Susan R. Weiss
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
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Outteridge M, Nunn CM, Devine K, Patel B, McLean GR. Antivirals for Broader Coverage against Human Coronaviruses. Viruses 2024; 16:156. [PMID: 38275966 PMCID: PMC10820748 DOI: 10.3390/v16010156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome that is 27-31 kbases in length. Critical genes include the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) and nine accessory open reading frames encoding for non-structural proteins (NSPs) that have multiple roles in the replication cycle and immune evasion (1). There are seven known human CoVs that most likely appeared after zoonotic transfer, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Antivirals that have been approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19 such as Paxlovid can target and successfully inhibit the main protease (MPro) activity of multiple human CoVs; however, alternative proteomes encoded by CoV genomes have a closer genetic similarity to each other, suggesting that antivirals could be developed now that target future CoVs. New zoonotic introductions of CoVs to humans are inevitable and unpredictable. Therefore, new antivirals are required to control not only the next human CoV outbreak but also the four common human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1) that circulate frequently and to contain sporadic outbreaks of the severe human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2). The current study found that emerging antiviral drugs, such as Paxlovid, could target other CoVs, but only SARS-CoV-2 is known to be targeted in vivo. Other drugs which have the potential to target other human CoVs are still within clinical trials and are not yet available for public use. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 can reduce mortality and hospitalisation rates; however, they target the Spike protein whose sequence mutates frequently and drifts. Spike is also not applicable for targeting other HCoVs as these are not well-conserved sequences among human CoVs. Thus, there is a need for readily available treatments globally that target all seven human CoVs and improve the preparedness for inevitable future outbreaks. Here, we discuss antiviral research, contributing to the control of common and severe CoV replication and transmission, including the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The aim was to identify common features of CoVs for antivirals, biologics and vaccines that could reduce the scientific, political, economic and public health strain caused by CoV outbreaks now and in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Outteridge
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Christine M. Nunn
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Kevin Devine
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Bhaven Patel
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Gary R. McLean
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
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8
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Ito F, Yang H, Zhou ZH, Chen XS. Structural basis for polyuridine tract recognition by SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.17.567629. [PMID: 38045375 PMCID: PMC10690159 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.17.567629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 15 (Nsp15) is critical for productive viral replication and evasion of host immunity. The uridine-specific endoribonuclease activity of Nsp15 mediates the cleavage of the polyuridine [poly(U)] tract of the negative-strand coronavirus genome to minimize the formation of dsRNA that activates the host antiviral interferon signaling. However, the molecular basis for the recognition and cleavage of the poly(U) tract by Nsp15 is incompletely understood. Here, we present cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) structures of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 bound to viral replication intermediate dsRNA containing poly(U) tract at 2.7-3.3 Å resolution. The structures reveal one copy of dsRNA binds to the sidewall of an Nsp15 homohexamer, spanning three subunits in two distinct binding states. The target uracil is dislodged from the base-pairing of the dsRNA by amino acid residues W332 and M330 of Nsp15, and the dislodged base is entrapped at the endonuclease active site center. Up to 20 A/U base pairs are anchored on the Nsp15 hexamer, which explains the basis for a substantially shortened poly(U) sequence in the negative strand coronavirus genome compared to the long poly(A) tail in its positive strand. Our results provide mechanistic insights into the unique immune evasion strategy employed by coronavirus Nsp15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ito
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
| | - Hanjing Yang
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Z. Hong Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
| | - Xiaojiang S. Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Genetic, Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089, USA
- Center of Excellence in NanoBiophysics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089, USA
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9
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Otter CJ, Bracci N, Parenti NA, Ye C, Tan LH, Asthana A, Pfannenstiel JJ, Jackson N, Fehr AR, Silverman RH, Cohen NA, Martinez-Sobrido L, Weiss SR. SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 endoribonuclease antagonizes dsRNA-induced antiviral signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.15.566945. [PMID: 38014074 PMCID: PMC10680701 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.15.566945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 has caused millions of deaths since emerging in 2019. Innate immune antagonism by lethal CoVs such as SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for optimal replication and pathogenesis. The conserved nonstructural protein 15 (nsp15) endoribonuclease (EndoU) limits activation of double-stranded (ds)RNA-induced pathways, including interferon (IFN) signaling, protein kinase R (PKR), and oligoadenylate synthetase/ribonuclease L (OAS/RNase L) during diverse CoV infections including murine coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV. To determine how nsp15 functions during SARS-CoV-2 infection, we constructed a mutant recombinant SARS-CoV-2 (nsp15mut) expressing a catalytically inactive nsp15. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 mut led to increased activation of the IFN signaling and PKR pathways in lung-derived epithelial cell lines and primary nasal epithelial air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures as well as significant attenuation of replication in ALI cultures compared to wild-type (WT) virus. This replication defect was rescued when IFN signaling was inhibited with the Janus activated kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib. Finally, to assess nsp15 function in the context of minimal (MERS-CoV) or moderate (SARS-CoV-2) innate immune induction, we compared infections with SARS-CoV-2 nsp15mut and previously described MERS-CoV nsp15 mutants. Inactivation of nsp15 had a more dramatic impact on MERS-CoV replication than SARS-CoV-2 in both Calu3 cells and nasal ALI cultures suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 can better tolerate innate immune responses. Taken together, SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 is a potent inhibitor of dsRNA-induced innate immune response and its antagonism of IFN signaling is necessary for optimal viral replication in primary nasal ALI culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton J Otter
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicole Bracci
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Parenti
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Li Hui Tan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Rhinology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abhishek Asthana
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Anthony R Fehr
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Robert H Silverman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Noam A Cohen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Rhinology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Susan R Weiss
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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10
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Chen J, Farraj RA, Limonta D, Tabatabaei Dakhili SA, Kerek EM, Bhattacharya A, Reformat FM, Mabrouk OM, Brigant B, Pfeifer TA, McDermott MT, Ussher JR, Hobman TC, Glover JNM, Hubbard BP. Reversible and irreversible inhibitors of coronavirus Nsp15 endoribonuclease. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105341. [PMID: 37832873 PMCID: PMC10656235 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019, has resulted in the largest pandemic in recent history. Current therapeutic strategies to mitigate this disease have focused on the development of vaccines and on drugs that inhibit the viral 3CL protease or RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzymes. A less-explored and potentially complementary drug target is Nsp15, a uracil-specific RNA endonuclease that shields coronaviruses and other nidoviruses from mammalian innate immune defenses. Here, we perform a high-throughput screen of over 100,000 small molecules to identify Nsp15 inhibitors. We characterize the potency, mechanism, selectivity, and predicted binding mode of five lead compounds. We show that one of these, IPA-3, is an irreversible inhibitor that might act via covalent modification of Cys residues within Nsp15. Moreover, we demonstrate that three of these inhibitors (hexachlorophene, IPA-3, and CID5675221) block severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 replication in cells at subtoxic doses. This study provides a pipeline for the identification of Nsp15 inhibitors and pinpoints lead compounds for further development against coronavirus disease 2019 and related coronavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rabih Abou Farraj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniel Limonta
- Department of Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Evan M Kerek
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ashim Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Filip M Reformat
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ola M Mabrouk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Benjamin Brigant
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tom A Pfeifer
- High Throughput Biology Facility, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mark T McDermott
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John R Ussher
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tom C Hobman
- Department of Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - J N Mark Glover
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Basil P Hubbard
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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11
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Grand RJ. SARS-CoV-2 and the DNA damage response. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001918. [PMID: 37948194 PMCID: PMC10768691 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is characterized by respiratory distress, multiorgan dysfunction and, in some cases, death. The virus is also responsible for post-COVID-19 condition (commonly referred to as 'long COVID'). SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a genome of approximately 30 kb, which encodes 26 proteins. It has been reported to affect multiple pathways in infected cells, resulting, in many cases, in the induction of a 'cytokine storm' and cellular senescence. Perhaps because it is an RNA virus, replicating largely in the cytoplasm, the effect of SARS-Cov-2 on genome stability and DNA damage responses (DDRs) has received relatively little attention. However, it is now becoming clear that the virus causes damage to cellular DNA, as shown by the presence of micronuclei, DNA repair foci and increased comet tails in infected cells. This review considers recent evidence indicating how SARS-CoV-2 causes genome instability, deregulates the cell cycle and targets specific components of DDR pathways. The significance of the virus's ability to cause cellular senescence is also considered, as are the implications of genome instability for patients suffering from long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger J. Grand
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Science, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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12
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von Beck T, Mena Hernandez L, Zhou H, Floyd K, Suthar MS, Skolnick J, Jacob J. Atovaquone and Pibrentasvir Inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 Endoribonuclease and Restrict Infection In Vitro but Not In Vivo. Viruses 2023; 15:1841. [PMID: 37766247 PMCID: PMC10534768 DOI: 10.3390/v15091841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-1 in 2003 followed by MERS-CoV and now SARS-CoV-2 has proven the latent threat these viruses pose to humanity. While the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shifted to a stage of endemicity, the threat of new coronaviruses emerging from animal reservoirs remains. To address this issue, the global community must develop small molecule drugs targeting highly conserved structures in the coronavirus proteome. Here, we characterized existing drugs for their ability to inhibit the endoribonuclease activity of the SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 15 (nsp15) via in silico, in vitro, and in vivo techniques. We have identified nsp15 inhibition by the drugs pibrentasvir and atovaquone which effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 at low micromolar concentrations in cell cultures. Furthermore, atovaquone, but not pibrentasvir, is observed to modulate HCoV-OC43 dsRNA and infection in a manner consistent with nsp15 inhibition. Although neither pibrentasvir nor atovaquone translate to clinical efficacy in a murine prophylaxis model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, atovaquone may serve as a basis for the design of future nsp15 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy von Beck
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (T.v.B.); (L.M.H.); (K.F.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Luis Mena Hernandez
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (T.v.B.); (L.M.H.); (K.F.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Hongyi Zhou
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; (H.Z.); (J.S.)
| | - Katharine Floyd
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (T.v.B.); (L.M.H.); (K.F.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Mehul S. Suthar
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (T.v.B.); (L.M.H.); (K.F.); (M.S.S.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jeffrey Skolnick
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; (H.Z.); (J.S.)
| | - Joshy Jacob
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (T.v.B.); (L.M.H.); (K.F.); (M.S.S.)
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13
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Salukhe I, Choi R, Van Voorhis W, Barrett L, Hyde J. Regulation of coronavirus nsp15 cleavage specificity by RNA structure. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290675. [PMID: 37616296 PMCID: PMC10449227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the etiologic agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has had an enduring impact on global public health. However, SARS-CoV-2 is only one of multiple pathogenic human coronaviruses (CoVs) to have emerged since the turn of the century. CoVs encode for several nonstructural proteins (nsps) that are essential for viral replication and pathogenesis. Among them is nsp15, a uridine-specific viral endonuclease that is important in evading the host immune response and promoting viral replication. Despite the established endonuclease function of nsp15, little is known about other determinants of its cleavage specificity. In this study we investigate the role of RNA secondary structure in SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 endonuclease activity. Using a series of in vitro endonuclease assays, we observed that thermodynamically stable RNA structures were protected from nsp15 cleavage relative to RNAs lacking stable structure. We leveraged the s2m RNA from the SARS-CoV-1 3'UTR as a model for our structural studies as it adopts a well-defined structure with several uridines, two of which are unpaired and thus highly probable targets for nsp15 cleavage. We found that SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 specifically cleaves s2m at the unpaired uridine within the GNRNA pentaloop of the RNA. Further investigation revealed that the position of uridine within the pentaloop also impacted nsp15 cleavage efficiency suggesting that positioning within the pentaloop is necessary for optimal presentation of the scissile uridine and alignment within the nsp15 catalytic pocket. Our findings indicate that RNA secondary structure is an important determinant of nsp15 cleavage and provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of RNA recognition by nsp15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indraneel Salukhe
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ryan Choi
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Wesley Van Voorhis
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Lynn Barrett
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Hyde
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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14
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Godoy AS, Nakamura AM, Douangamath A, Song Y, Noske GD, Gawriljuk VO, Fernandes RS, Pereira H, Oliveira K, Fearon D, Dias A, Krojer T, Fairhead M, Powell A, Dunnet L, Brandao-Neto J, Skyner R, Chalk R, Bajusz D, Bege M, Borbás A, Keserű GM, von Delft F, Oliva G. Allosteric regulation and crystallographic fragment screening of SARS-CoV-2 NSP15 endoribonuclease. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:5255-5270. [PMID: 37115000 PMCID: PMC10250223 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The NSP15 endoribonuclease enzyme, known as NendoU, is highly conserved and plays a critical role in the ability of the virus to evade the immune system. NendoU is a promising target for the development of new antiviral drugs. However, the complexity of the enzyme's structure and kinetics, along with the broad range of recognition sequences and lack of structural complexes, hampers the development of inhibitors. Here, we performed enzymatic characterization of NendoU in its monomeric and hexameric form, showing that hexamers are allosteric enzymes with a positive cooperative index, and with no influence of manganese on enzymatic activity. Through combining cryo-electron microscopy at different pHs, X-ray crystallography and biochemical and structural analysis, we showed that NendoU can shift between open and closed forms, which probably correspond to active and inactive states, respectively. We also explored the possibility of NendoU assembling into larger supramolecular structures and proposed a mechanism for allosteric regulation. In addition, we conducted a large fragment screening campaign against NendoU and identified several new allosteric sites that could be targeted for the development of new inhibitors. Overall, our findings provide insights into the complex structure and function of NendoU and offer new opportunities for the development of inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Schutzer Godoy
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Aline Minalli Nakamura
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Alice Douangamath
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Yun Song
- Electron Bio-imaging Centre, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Gabriela Dias Noske
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Victor Oliveira Gawriljuk
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Sachetto Fernandes
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Humberto D Muniz Pereira
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Ketllyn Irene Zagato Oliveira
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Daren Fearon
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Alexandre Dias
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Tobias Krojer
- BioMAX, MAX IV Laboratory, Fotongatan 2, Lund 224 84, Sweden
| | - Michael Fairhead
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Alisa Powell
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Louise Dunnet
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Jose Brandao-Neto
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Rachael Skyner
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Rod Chalk
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Dávid Bajusz
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt. 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Bege
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- MTA-DE Molecular Recognition and Interaction Research Group, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anikó Borbás
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 20, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - György Miklós Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok krt. 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Frank von Delft
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Oxford University, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
| | - Glaucius Oliva
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Joao Dagnone, 1100 - Jardim Santa Angelina, Sao Carlos, 13563-120, Brazil
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15
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Huang T, Snell KC, Kalia N, Gardezi S, Guo L, Harris ME. Kinetic analysis of RNA cleavage by coronavirus Nsp15 endonuclease: Evidence for acid base catalysis and substrate dependent metal ion activation. J Biol Chem 2023:104787. [PMID: 37149147 PMCID: PMC10158045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104787] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the functional properties of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins is essential for defining their roles in the viral life cycle, developing improved therapeutics and diagnostics, and countering future variants. Coronavirus nonstructural protein Nsp15 is a hexameric U-specific endonuclease whose functions, substrate specificity, mechanism, and dynamics have not been fully defined. Previous studies report SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 requires Mn2+ ions for optimal activity; however, the effects of divalent ions on Nsp15 reaction kinetics have not been investigated in detail. Here, we analyzed the single and multiple turnover kinetics for model single-stranded RNA substrates. Our data confirm that divalent ions are dispensable for catalysis and show that Mn2+ activates Nsp15 cleavage of two different ssRNA oligonucleotide substrates, but not a dinucleotide. Furthermore, biphasic kinetics of ssRNA substrates demonstrates that Mn2+ stabilizes alternative enzyme states that have faster substrate cleavage on the enzyme. However, we did not detect Mn2+-induced conformational changes using CD and fluorescence spectroscopy. The pH-rate profiles in the presence and absence of Mn2+ are consistent with active site ionizable groups with similar pKas of ca. 4.8-5.2. We found the Rp stereoisomer phosphorothioate modification at the scissile phosphate had minimal effect on catalysis, which supports a mechanism involving an anionic transition state. In contrast, the Sp stereoisomer is inactive due to weak binding, consistent with models that position the non-bridging phosphoryl oxygen deep in the active site. Together, these kinetic data demonstrate that Nsp15 employs a conventional acid-base catalytic mechanism passing through an anionic transition state, and that divalent ion activation is substrate-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Kimberly C Snell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Nidhi Kalia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Shahbaz Gardezi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Lily Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Michael E Harris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
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16
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Ahmadi S, Bazargan M, Elahi R, Esmaeilzadeh A. Immune evasion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2); molecular approaches. Mol Immunol 2023; 156:10-19. [PMID: 36857806 PMCID: PMC9684099 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In December 2019, a new betacoronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused an outbreak at the Wuhan seafood market in China. The disease was further named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the disease to be a pandemic, as more cases were reported globally. SARS-CoV-2, like many other viruses, employs diverse strategies to elude the host immune response and/or counter immune responses. The infection outcome mainly depends on interactions between the virus and the host immune system. Inhibiting IFN production, blocking IFN signaling, enhancing IFN resistance, and hijacking the host's translation machinery to expedite the production of viral proteins are among the main immune evasion mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 also downregulates the expression of MHC-I on infected cells, which is an additional immune-evasion mechanism of this virus. Moreover, antigenic modifications to the spike (S) protein, such as deletions, insertions, and also substitutions are essential for resistance to SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. This review assesses the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and host immune response and cellular and molecular approaches used by SARS-CoV-2 for immune evasion. Understanding the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 immune evasion is essential since it can improve the development of novel antiviral treatment options as well as vaccination methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Ahmadi
- Virology Research Center, The National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Allergy and Immunology Subspecialty Lab, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Bazargan
- Virology Research Center, The National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Allergy and Immunology Subspecialty Lab, Tehran, Iran,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Sahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Elahi
- M.D., School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center (CGRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
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17
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Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been associated with substantial global morbidity and mortality. Despite a tropism that is largely confined to the airways, COVID-19 is associated with multiorgan dysfunction and long-term cognitive pathologies. A major driver of this biology stems from the combined effects of virus-mediated interference with the host antiviral defences in infected cells and the sensing of pathogen-associated material by bystander cells. Such a dynamic results in delayed induction of type I and III interferons (IFN-I and IFN-III) at the site of infection, but systemic IFN-I and IFN-III priming in distal organs and barrier epithelial surfaces, respectively. In this Review, we examine the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 biology and the cellular response to infection, detailing how antagonism and dysregulation of host innate immune defences contribute to disease severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Minkoff
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin tenOever
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Behura A, Naik L, Patel S, Das M, Kumar A, Mishra A, Nayak DK, Manna D, Mishra A, Dhiman R. Involvement of epigenetics in affecting host immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166634. [PMID: 36577469 PMCID: PMC9790847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166634] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a highly contagious RNA virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), originated in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, it has become a global public health concern and leads the disease table with the highest mortality rate, highlighting the necessity for a thorough understanding of its biological properties. The intricate interaction between the virus and the host immune system gives rise to diverse implications of COVID-19. RNA viruses are known to hijack the host epigenetic mechanisms of immune cells to regulate antiviral defence. Epigenetics involves processes that alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, leading to heritable phenotypic changes. The epigenetic landscape consists of reversible modifications like chromatin remodelling, DNA/RNA methylation, and histone methylation/acetylation that regulates gene expression. The epigenetic machinery contributes to many aspects of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, like global DNA methylation and receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) methylation determines the viral entry inside the host, viral replication, and infection efficiency. Further, it is also reported to epigenetically regulate the expression of different host cytokines affecting antiviral response. The viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 interact with various host epigenetic enzymes like histone deacetylases (HDACs) and bromodomain-containing proteins to antagonize cellular signalling. The central role of epigenetic factors in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is now exploited as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets against COVID-19. This review article highlights the ability of SARS-CoV-2 in regulating the host epigenetic landscape during infection leading to immune evasion. It also discusses the ongoing therapeutic approaches to curtail and control the viral outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assirbad Behura
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Lincoln Naik
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Salina Patel
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Mousumi Das
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Abtar Mishra
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Dev Kiran Nayak
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Debraj Manna
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342011, India
| | - Rohan Dhiman
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
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19
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Yang T, Wang SC, Ye L, Maimaitiyiming Y, Naranmandura H. Targeting viral proteins for restraining SARS-CoV-2: focusing lens on viral proteins beyond spike for discovering new drug targets. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:247-268. [PMID: 36723288 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2175812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emergence of highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants are reducing protection provided by current vaccines, requiring constant updates in antiviral approaches. The virus encodes four structural and sixteen nonstructural proteins which play important roles in viral genome replication and transcription, virion assembly, release , entry into cells, and compromising host cellular defenses. As alien proteins to host cells, many viral proteins represent potential targets for combating the SARS-CoV-2. AREAS COVERED Based on literature from PubMed and Web of Science databases, the authors summarize the typical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 from the whole viral particle to the individual viral proteins and their corresponding functions in virus life cycle. The authors also discuss the potential and emerging targeted interventions to curb virus replication and spread in detail to provide unique insights into SARS-CoV-2 infection and countermeasures against it. EXPERT OPINION Our comprehensive analysis highlights the rationale to focus on non-spike viral proteins that are less mutated but have important functions. Examples of this include: structural proteins (e.g. nucleocapsid protein, envelope protein) and extensively-concerned nonstructural proteins (e.g. NSP3, NSP5, NSP12) along with the ones with relatively less attention (e.g. NSP1, NSP10, NSP14 and NSP16), for developing novel drugs to overcome resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants to preexisting vaccines and antibody-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Si Chun Wang
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linyan Ye
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yasen Maimaitiyiming
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Haematology Oncology Diagnosis and Treatment, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Neurobiology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, and MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua Naranmandura
- Department of Hematology of First Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Haematology Oncology Diagnosis and Treatment, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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20
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Cable J, Denison MR, Kielian M, Jackson WT, Bartenschlager R, Ahola T, Mukhopadhyay S, Fremont DH, Kuhn RJ, Shannon A, Frazier MN, Yuen KY, Coyne CB, Wolthers KC, Ming GL, Guenther CS, Moshiri J, Best SM, Schoggins JW, Jurado KA, Ebel GD, Schäfer A, Ng LFP, Kikkert M, Sette A, Harris E, Wing PAC, Eggenberger J, Krishnamurthy SR, Mah MG, Meganck RM, Chung D, Maurer-Stroh S, Andino R, Korber B, Perlman S, Shi PY, Bárcena M, Aicher SM, Vu MN, Kenney DJ, Lindenbach BD, Nishida Y, Rénia L, Williams EP. Positive-strand RNA viruses-a Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1521:46-66. [PMID: 36697369 PMCID: PMC10347887 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Positive-strand RNA viruses have been the cause of several recent outbreaks and epidemics, including the Zika virus epidemic in 2015, the SARS outbreak in 2003, and the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. On June 18-22, 2022, researchers focusing on positive-strand RNA viruses met for the Keystone Symposium "Positive-Strand RNA Viruses" to share the latest research in molecular and cell biology, virology, immunology, vaccinology, and antiviral drug development. This report presents concise summaries of the scientific discussions at the symposium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark R Denison
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Margaret Kielian
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - William T Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Research Division Virus-associated Carcinogenesis, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tero Ahola
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Daved H Fremont
- Department of Pathology & Immunology; Department of Molecular Microbiology; and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Ashleigh Shannon
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, CNRS and Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Meredith N Frazier
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Carolyn B Coyne
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katja C Wolthers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jasmine Moshiri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sonja M Best
- Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - John W Schoggins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kellie Ann Jurado
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gregory D Ebel
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Alexandra Schäfer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lisa F P Ng
- ASTAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore City, Singapore
- National Institute of Health Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections; Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Marjolein Kikkert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Eva Harris
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Peter A C Wing
- Nuffield Department of Medicine and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julie Eggenberger
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Siddharth R Krishnamurthy
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology and NIAID Microbiome Program, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcus G Mah
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Rita M Meganck
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Donghoon Chung
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sebastian Maurer-Stroh
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bette Korber
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Montserrat Bárcena
- Section Electron Microscopy, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie-Marie Aicher
- Institut Pasteurgrid, Université de Paris Cité, Virus Sensing and Signaling Unit, Paris, France
| | - Michelle N Vu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Devin J Kenney
- Department of Microbiology and National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brett D Lindenbach
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yukiko Nishida
- Chugai Pharmaceutical, Co., Tokyo, Japan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- ASTAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Evan P Williams
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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21
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Lessons Learnt from COVID-19: Computational Strategies for Facing Present and Future Pandemics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054401. [PMID: 36901832 PMCID: PMC10003049 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054401] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its outbreak in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the death of more than 6.5 million people around the world. The high transmissibility of its causative agent, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, coupled with its potentially lethal outcome, provoked a profound global economic and social crisis. The urgency of finding suitable pharmacological tools to tame the pandemic shed light on the ever-increasing importance of computer simulations in rationalizing and speeding up the design of new drugs, further stressing the need for developing quick and reliable methods to identify novel active molecules and characterize their mechanism of action. In the present work, we aim at providing the reader with a general overview of the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing the hallmarks in its management, from the initial attempts at drug repurposing to the commercialization of Paxlovid, the first orally available COVID-19 drug. Furthermore, we analyze and discuss the role of computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) techniques, especially those that fall in the structure-based drug design (SBDD) category, in facing present and future pandemics, by showcasing several successful examples of drug discovery campaigns where commonly used methods such as docking and molecular dynamics have been employed in the rational design of effective therapeutic entities against COVID-19.
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22
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Jernigan RJ, Logeswaran D, Doppler D, Nagaratnam N, Sonker M, Yang JH, Ketawala G, Martin-Garcia JM, Shelby ML, Grant TD, Mariani V, Tolstikova A, Sheikh MZ, Yung MC, Coleman MA, Zaare S, Kaschner EK, Rabbani MT, Nazari R, Zacks MA, Hayes B, Sierra RG, Hunter MS, Lisova S, Batyuk A, Kupitz C, Boutet S, Hansen DT, Kirian RA, Schmidt M, Fromme R, Frank M, Ros A, Chen JJL, Botha S, Fromme P. Room-temperature structural studies of SARS-CoV-2 protein NendoU with an X-ray free-electron laser. Structure 2023; 31:138-151.e5. [PMID: 36630960 PMCID: PMC9830665 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
NendoU from SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the virus's ability to evade the innate immune system by cleaving the polyuridine leader sequence of antisense viral RNA. Here we report the room-temperature structure of NendoU, solved by serial femtosecond crystallography at an X-ray free-electron laser to 2.6 Å resolution. The room-temperature structure provides insight into the flexibility, dynamics, and other intrinsic properties of NendoU, with indications that the enzyme functions as an allosteric switch. Functional studies examining cleavage specificity in solution and in crystals support the uridine-purine cleavage preference, and we demonstrate that enzyme activity is fully maintained in crystal form. Optimizing the purification of NendoU and identifying suitable crystallization conditions set the benchmark for future time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography studies. This could advance the design of antivirals with higher efficacy in treating coronaviral infections, since drugs that block allosteric conformational changes are less prone to drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Jernigan
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Dhenugen Logeswaran
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Diandra Doppler
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Nirupa Nagaratnam
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Mukul Sonker
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Jay-How Yang
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Gihan Ketawala
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Jose M Martin-Garcia
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Megan L Shelby
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Thomas D Grant
- Department of Structural Biology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Valerio Mariani
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | | | - Michelle Z Sheikh
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Mimi Cho Yung
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Matthew A Coleman
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Sahba Zaare
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; Fulton School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA
| | - Emily K Kaschner
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Mohammad Towshif Rabbani
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Reza Nazari
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Michele A Zacks
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Brandon Hayes
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Raymond G Sierra
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Mark S Hunter
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Stella Lisova
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Alexander Batyuk
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Christopher Kupitz
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Sebastien Boutet
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Debra T Hansen
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA
| | - Richard A Kirian
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA
| | - Marius Schmidt
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Raimund Fromme
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Matthias Frank
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Alexandra Ros
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Julian J-L Chen
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA
| | - Sabine Botha
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1504, USA.
| | - Petra Fromme
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA; School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604, USA.
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23
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Dolliver SM, Kleer M, Bui-Marinos MP, Ying S, Corcoran JA, Khaperskyy DA. Nsp1 proteins of human coronaviruses HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV2 inhibit stress granule formation. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011041. [PMID: 36534661 PMCID: PMC9810206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic condensates that often form as part of the cellular antiviral response. Despite the growing interest in understanding the interplay between SGs and other biological condensates and viral replication, the role of SG formation during coronavirus infection remains poorly understood. Several proteins from different coronaviruses have been shown to suppress SG formation upon overexpression, but there are only a handful of studies analyzing SG formation in coronavirus-infected cells. To better understand SG inhibition by coronaviruses, we analyzed SG formation during infection with the human common cold coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) and the pandemic SARS-CoV2. We did not observe SG induction in infected cells and both viruses inhibited eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation and SG formation induced by exogenous stress. Furthermore, in SARS-CoV2 infected cells we observed a sharp decrease in the levels of SG-nucleating protein G3BP1. Ectopic overexpression of nucleocapsid (N) and non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1) from both HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV2 inhibited SG formation. The Nsp1 proteins of both viruses inhibited arsenite-induced eIF2α phosphorylation, and the Nsp1 of SARS-CoV2 alone was sufficient to cause a decrease in G3BP1 levels. This phenotype was dependent on the depletion of cytoplasmic mRNA mediated by Nsp1 and associated with nuclear accumulation of the SG-nucleating protein TIAR. To test the role of G3BP1 in coronavirus replication, we infected cells overexpressing EGFP-tagged G3BP1 with HCoV-OC43 and observed a significant decrease in virus replication compared to control cells expressing EGFP. The antiviral role of G3BP1 and the existence of multiple SG suppression mechanisms that are conserved between HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV2 suggest that SG formation may represent an important antiviral host defense that coronaviruses target to ensure efficient replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacia M. Dolliver
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Mariel Kleer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and Charbonneau Institute for Cancer Research, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Maxwell P. Bui-Marinos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and Charbonneau Institute for Cancer Research, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Shan Ying
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Jennifer A. Corcoran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and Charbonneau Institute for Cancer Research, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Denys A. Khaperskyy
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- * E-mail:
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24
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Aloise C, Schipper JG, de Groot RJ, van Kuppeveld FJM. Move and countermove: the integrated stress response in picorna- and coronavirus-infected cells. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 79:102254. [PMID: 36274340 PMCID: PMC9515345 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Viruses, when entering their host cells, are met by a fierce intracellular immune defense. One prominent antiviral pathway is the integrated stress response (ISR). Upon activation of the ISR - typically though not exclusively upon detection of dsRNA - translation-initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) becomes phosphorylated to act as an inhibitor of guanine nucleotide-exchange factor eIF2B. Thus, with the production of ternary complex blocked, a global translational arrest ensues. Successful virus replication hinges on effective countermeasures. Here, we review ISR antagonists and antagonistic mechanisms employed by picorna- and coronaviruses. Special attention will be given to a recently discovered class of viral antagonists that inhibit the ISR by targeting eIF2B, thereby allowing unabated translation initiation even at exceedingly high levels of phosphorylated eIF2.
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25
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Wilson IM, Frazier MN, Li JL, Randall TA, Stanley RE. Biochemical Characterization of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 Endoribonuclease Variants. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167796. [PMID: 35995266 PMCID: PMC9389836 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Global sequencing efforts from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, continue to provide insight into the evolution of the viral genome. Coronaviruses encode 16 nonstructural proteins, within the first two-thirds of their genome, that facilitate viral replication and transcription as well as evasion of the host immune response. However, many of these viral proteins remain understudied. Nsp15 is a uridine-specific endoribonuclease conserved across all coronaviruses. The nuclease activity of Nsp15 helps the virus evade triggering an innate immune response. Understanding how Nsp15 has changed over the course of the pandemic, and how mutations affect its RNA processing function, will provide insight into the evolution of an oligomerization-dependent endoribonuclease and inform drug design. In combination with previous structural data, bioinformatics analyses of 1.9 + million SARS-CoV-2 sequences revealed mutations across Nsp15's three structured domains (N-terminal, Middle, EndoU). Selected Nsp15 variants were characterized biochemically and compared to wild type Nsp15. We found that mutations to important catalytic residues decreased cleavage activity but increased the hexamer/monomer ratio of the recombinant protein. Many of the highly prevalent variants we analyzed led to decreased nuclease activity as well as an increase in the inactive, monomeric form. Overall, our work establishes how Nsp15 variants seen in patient samples affect nuclease activity and oligomerization, providing insight into the effect of these variants in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha M Wilson
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. https://twitter.com/@ishamyana
| | - Meredith N Frazier
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, 29424, USA(†). https://twitter.com/@MNFrazier5
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Thomas A Randall
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Robin E Stanley
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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26
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RNA modifications: importance in immune cell biology and related diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:334. [PMID: 36138023 PMCID: PMC9499983 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA modifications have become hot topics recently. By influencing RNA processes, including generation, transportation, function, and metabolization, they act as critical regulators of cell biology. The immune cell abnormality in human diseases is also a research focus and progressing rapidly these years. Studies have demonstrated that RNA modifications participate in the multiple biological processes of immune cells, including development, differentiation, activation, migration, and polarization, thereby modulating the immune responses and are involved in some immune related diseases. In this review, we present existing knowledge of the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of RNA modifications, including N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), N7-methylguanosine (m7G), N4-acetylcytosine (ac4C), pseudouridine (Ψ), uridylation, and adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, and summarize their critical roles in immune cell biology. Via regulating the biological processes of immune cells, RNA modifications can participate in the pathogenesis of immune related diseases, such as cancers, infection, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We further highlight the challenges and future directions based on the existing knowledge. All in all, this review will provide helpful knowledge as well as novel ideas for the researchers in this area.
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27
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Frazier MN, Riccio AA, Wilson IM, Copeland WC, Stanley RE. Recent insights into the structure and function of coronavirus ribonucleases. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:1567-1583. [PMID: 35445579 PMCID: PMC9110870 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses use approximately two-thirds of their 30-kb genomes to encode nonstructural proteins (nsps) with diverse functions that assist in viral replication and transcription, and evasion of the host immune response. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to renewed interest in the molecular mechanisms used by coronaviruses to infect cells and replicate. Among the 16 Nsps involved in replication and transcription, coronaviruses encode two ribonucleases that process the viral RNA-an exonuclease (Nsp14) and an endonuclease (Nsp15). In this review, we discuss recent structural and biochemical studies of these nucleases and the implications for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith N. Frazier
- Signal Transduction LaboratoryDepartment of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | - Amanda A. Riccio
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology LaboratoryDepartment of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | - Isha M. Wilson
- Signal Transduction LaboratoryDepartment of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | - William C. Copeland
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology LaboratoryDepartment of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | - Robin E. Stanley
- Signal Transduction LaboratoryDepartment of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
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28
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Wang Z, Belecciu T, Eaves J, Reimers M, Bachmann MH, Woldring D. Phytochemical drug discovery for COVID-19 using high-resolution computational docking and machine learning assisted binder prediction. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-21. [PMID: 35993534 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2112976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths around the world. Multiple vaccines are in use, but there are many underserved locations that do not have adequate access to them. Variants may emerge that are highly resistant to existing vaccines, and therefore cheap and readily obtainable therapeutics are needed. Phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, can possibly be such therapeutics. Phytochemicals can be used in a polypharmacological approach, where multiple viral proteins are inhibited and escape mutations are made less likely. Finding the right phytochemicals for viral protein inhibition is challenging, but in-silico screening methods can make this a more tractable problem. In this study, we screen a wide range of natural drug products against a comprehensive set of SARS-CoV-2 proteins using a high-resolution computational workflow. This workflow consists of a structure-based virtual screening (SBVS), where an initial phytochemical library was docked against all selected protein structures. Subsequently, ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) was employed, where chemical features of 34 lead compounds obtained from the SBVS were used to predict 53 lead compounds from a larger phytochemical library via supervised learning. A computational docking validation of the 53 predicted leads obtained from LBVS revealed that 28 of them elicit strong binding interactions with SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Thus, the inclusion of LBVS resulted in a 4-fold increase in the lead discovery rate. Of the total 62 leads, 18 showed promising pharmacokinetic properties in a computational ADME screening. Collectively, this study demonstrates the advantage of incorporating machine learning elements into a virtual screening workflow.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Wang
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Theodore Belecciu
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Joelle Eaves
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Mark Reimers
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Michael H Bachmann
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Daniel Woldring
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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29
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Vassilaki N, Papadimitriou K, Ioannidis A, Papandreou NC, Milona RS, Iconomidou VA, Chatzipanagiotou S. SARS-CoV-2 Amino Acid Mutations Detection in Greek Patients Infected in the First Wave of the Pandemic. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071430. [PMID: 35889149 PMCID: PMC9322066 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel virus that belongs to the Coronoviridae family, emerged in December 2019, causing the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Unlike previous SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks, this virus has a higher transmissibility rate, albeit a lower case fatality rate, which results in accumulation of a significant number of mutations and a faster evolution rate. Genomic studies on the mutation rate of the virus, as well as the identification of mutations that prevail and their impact on disease severity, are of great importance for pandemic surveillance and vaccine and drug development. Here, we aim to identify mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome and their effect on the proteins they are located in, in Greek patients infected in the first wave of the pandemic. To this end, we perform SARS-CoV-2 amplicon-based NGS sequencing on nasopharyngeal swab samples from Greek patients and bioinformatic analysis of the results. Although SARS-CoV-2 is considered genetically stable, we discover a variety of mutations on the viral genome. In detail, 18 mutations are detected in total on 10 SARS-CoV-2 isolates. The mutations are located on ORF1ab, S protein, M protein, ORF3a and ORF7a. Sixteen are also detected in patients from other regions around the world, and two are identified for the first time in the present study. Most of them result in amino acid substitutions. These substitutions are analyzed using computational tools, and the results indicate minor or major impact on the proteins’ structural stability, which could probably affect viral transmissibility and pathogenesis. The correlation of these variations with the viral load levels is examined, and their implication for disease severity and the biology of the virus are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Vassilaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece; (N.V.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Konstantinos Papadimitriou
- Laboratory of Food Quality Control and Hygiene, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece;
| | - Anastasios Ioannidis
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Sehi Area, 22100 Tripoli, Greece;
| | - Nikos C. Papandreou
- Section of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701 Athens, Greece; (N.C.P.); (V.A.I.)
| | - Raphaela S. Milona
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece; (N.V.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Vassiliki A. Iconomidou
- Section of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701 Athens, Greece; (N.C.P.); (V.A.I.)
| | - Stylianos Chatzipanagiotou
- Department of Medical Biopathology, Eginition Hospital, Athens Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72–74 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
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30
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Frazier MN, Wilson IM, Krahn JM, Butay KJ, Dillard LB, Borgnia MJ, Stanley RE. Flipped over U: structural basis for dsRNA cleavage by the SARS-CoV-2 endoribonuclease. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8290-8301. [PMID: 35801916 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses generate double-stranded (ds) RNA intermediates during viral replication that can activate host immune sensors. To evade activation of the host pattern recognition receptor MDA5, coronaviruses employ Nsp15, which is a uridine-specific endoribonuclease. Nsp15 is proposed to associate with the coronavirus replication-transcription complex within double-membrane vesicles to cleave these dsRNA intermediates. How Nsp15 recognizes and processes dsRNA is poorly understood because previous structural studies of Nsp15 have been limited to small single-stranded (ss) RNA substrates. Here we present cryo-EM structures of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 bound to a 52nt dsRNA. We observed that the Nsp15 hexamer forms a platform for engaging dsRNA across multiple protomers. The structures, along with site-directed mutagenesis and RNA cleavage assays revealed critical insight into dsRNA recognition and processing. To process dsRNA Nsp15 utilizes a base-flipping mechanism to properly orient the uridine within the active site for cleavage. Our findings show that Nsp15 is a distinctive endoribonuclease that can cleave both ss- and dsRNA effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith N Frazier
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Isha M Wilson
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Juno M Krahn
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Kevin John Butay
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Lucas B Dillard
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Mario J Borgnia
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Robin E Stanley
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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31
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Jin Y, Ouyang M, Yu T, Zhuang J, Wang W, Liu X, Duan F, Guo D, Peng X, Pan JA. Genome-Wide Analysis of the Indispensable Role of Non-structural Proteins in the Replication of SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:907422. [PMID: 35722274 PMCID: PMC9198553 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.907422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the process of replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for antiviral strategy development. The replicase polyprotein is indispensable for viral replication. However, whether all nsps derived from the replicase polyprotein of SARS-CoV-2 are indispensable is not fully understood. In this study, we utilized the SARS-CoV-2 replicon as the system to investigate the role of each nsp in viral replication. We found that except for nsp16, all the nsp deletions drastically impair the replication of the replicon, and nsp14 could recover the replication deficiency caused by its deletion in the viral replicon. Due to the unsuccessful expressions of nsp1, nsp3, and nsp16, we could not draw a conclusion about their in trans-rescue functions. Our study provided a new angle to understand the role of each nsp in viral replication and transcription, helping the evaluation of nsps as the target for antiviral drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Jin
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Muzi Ouyang
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ting Yu
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhuang
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenhao Wang
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue Liu
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fangfang Duan
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Deyin Guo
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoxue Peng
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ji-An Pan
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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32
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Kung YA, Lee KM, Chiang HJ, Huang SY, Wu CJ, Shih SR. Molecular Virology of SARS-CoV-2 and Related Coronaviruses. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0002621. [PMID: 35343760 PMCID: PMC9199417 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00026-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the lives of hundreds of millions of people, with a severe negative impact on the global economy. Although several COVID-19 vaccines are currently being administered, none of them is 100% effective. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 variants remain an important worldwide public health issue. Hence, the accelerated development of efficacious antiviral agents is urgently needed. Coronavirus depends on various host cell factors for replication. An ongoing research objective is the identification of host factors that could be exploited as targets for drugs and compounds effective against SARS-CoV-2. In the present review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, focusing on the host factors or pathways involved in SARS-CoV-2 replication that have been identified by genome-wide CRISPR screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-An Kung
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Ming Lee
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Huan-Jung Chiang
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yu Huang
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Jung Wu
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Ru Shih
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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33
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Wilson IM, Frazier MN, Li J, Randall TA, Stanley RE. Biochemical Characterization of Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 Endoribonuclease Variants.. [PMID: 35611336 PMCID: PMC9128782 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.10.491349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Global sequencing efforts from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, continue to provide insight into the evolution of the viral genome. Coronaviruses encode 16 nonstructural proteins, within the first two-thirds of their genome, that facilitate viral replication and transcription as well as evasion of the host immune response. However, many of these viral proteins remain understudied. Nsp15 is a uridine-specific endoribonuclease conserved across all coronaviruses. The nuclease activity of Nsp15 helps the virus evade triggering an innate immune response. Understanding how Nsp15 has changed over the course of the pandemic, and how mutations affect its RNA processing function, will provide insight into the evolution of an oligomerization-dependent endoribonuclease and inform drug design. In combination with previous structural data, bioinformatics analyses of 1.9+ million SARS-CoV-2 sequences revealed mutations across Nsp15’s three structured domains (N-terminal, Middle, EndoU). Selected Nsp15 variants were characterized biochemically and compared to wild type Nsp15. We found that mutations to important catalytic residues decreased cleavage activity but increased the hexamer/monomer ratio of the recombinant protein. Many of the highly prevalent variants we analyzed led to decreased nuclease activity as well as an increase in the inactive, monomeric form. Overall, our work establishes how Nsp15 variants seen in patient samples affect nuclease activity and oligomerization, providing insight into the effect of these variants in vivo.
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34
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Yashvardhini N, Jha DK, Kumar A, Gaurav M, Sayrav K. Genome sequence analysis of nsp15 from SARS-CoV-2. Bioinformation 2022; 18:432-437. [PMID: 36909703 PMCID: PMC9997503 DOI: 10.6026/97320630018432] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), a causative agent of COVID-19 disease created a pandemic situation worldwide. Nsp15 is a uridine specific endoribonuclease encoded by the genome of SARS-CoV-2. It plays important role in processing viral RNA and, thus evades the host immune system. Therefore, it is of interest to identify mutants of nsp15 amongst Asian SARS-CoV-2 isolates, where a total of 1795 mutations, from 7793 sequences of Asia submitted till 31st January 2022, amongst which A231V, H234Y, K109N, K259R and S261A mutations were found frequent. Hence, we report data on the predicted secondary structure of wild type form followed by hydropathy plot, physiochemical properties, Ramachandran plot, B-cell epitopes prediction and protein modeling of wild type and mutant of nsp15 protein. Data shows that nsp15 of SARS-CoV-2 is a pontential candidate for the development of vaccine to control the infections of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niti Yashvardhini
- Department of Microbiology, Patna Women’s College, Patna, 800 001, Bihar, India
| | - Deepak Kumar Jha
- Department of Zoology, S.M.P. Girls Degree College, Ballia, 277401, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Botany, Patna University, Patna-800 005, Bihar, India
| | - Manjush Gaurav
- Department of Botany, Patna University, Patna-800 005, Bihar, India
| | - Kumar Sayrav
- Department of Chemistry, V.K.S. University, Ara-802301, Bihar India
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35
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Verma P, Kumari P, Negi S, Yadav G, Gaur V. Holliday junction resolution by At-HIGLE: an SLX1 lineage endonuclease from Arabidopsis thaliana with a novel in-built regulatory mechanism. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4630-4646. [PMID: 35412622 PMCID: PMC9071465 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Holliday junction is the key homologous recombination intermediate, resolved by structure-selective endonucleases (SSEs). SLX1 is the most promiscuous SSE of the GIY-YIG nuclease superfamily. In fungi and animals, SLX1 nuclease activity relies on a non-enzymatic partner, SLX4, but no SLX1-SLX4 like complex has ever been characterized in plants. Plants exhibit specialized DNA repair and recombination machinery. Based on sequence similarity with the GIY-YIG nuclease domain of SLX1 proteins from fungi and animals, At-HIGLE was identified to be a possible SLX1 like nuclease from plants. Here, we elucidated the crystal structure of the At-HIGLE nuclease domain from Arabidopsis thaliana, establishing it as a member of the SLX1-lineage of the GIY-YIG superfamily with structural changes in DNA interacting regions. We show that At-HIGLE can process branched-DNA molecules without an SLX4 like protein. Unlike fungal SLX1, At-HIGLE exists as a catalytically active homodimer capable of generating two coordinated nicks during HJ resolution. Truncating the extended C-terminal region of At-HIGLE increases its catalytic activity, changes the nicking pattern, and monomerizes At-HIGLE. Overall, we elucidated the first structure of a plant SLX1-lineage protein, showed its HJ resolving activity independent of any regulatory protein, and identified an in-built novel regulatory mechanism engaging its C-terminal region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabha Verma
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Poonam Kumari
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Shreya Negi
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Gitanjali Yadav
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Vineet Gaur
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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36
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Beyer DK, Forero A. Mechanisms of Antiviral Immune Evasion of SARS-CoV-2. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167265. [PMID: 34562466 PMCID: PMC8457632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is characterized by a delayed interferon (IFN) response and high levels of proinflammatory cytokine expression. Type I and III IFNs serve as a first line of defense during acute viral infections and are readily antagonized by viruses to establish productive infection. A rapidly growing body of work has interrogated the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 antagonizes both IFN induction and IFN signaling to establish productive infection. Here, we summarize these findings and discuss the molecular interactions that prevent viral RNA recognition, inhibit the induction of IFN gene expression, and block the response to IFN treatment. We also describe the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins promote host shutoff. A detailed understanding of the host-pathogen interactions that unbalance the IFN response is critical for the design and deployment of host-targeted therapeutics to manage COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K. Beyer
- Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Adriana Forero
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Corresponding author
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37
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Konkolova E, Krejčová K, Eyer L, Hodek J, Zgarbová M, Fořtová A, Jirasek M, Teply F, Reyes-Gutierrez PE, Růžek D, Weber J, Boura E. A Helquat-like Compound as a Potent Inhibitor of Flaviviral and Coronaviral Polymerases. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27061894. [PMID: 35335258 PMCID: PMC8953834 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+RNA) viruses have proven to be important pathogens that are able to threaten and deeply damage modern societies, as illustrated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, compounds active against most or many +RNA viruses are urgently needed. Here, we present PR673, a helquat-like compound that is able to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and tick-borne encephalitis virus in cell culture. Using in vitro polymerase assays, we demonstrate that PR673 inhibits RNA synthesis by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps). Our results illustrate that the development of broad-spectrum non-nucleoside inhibitors of RdRps is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Konkolova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Kateřina Krejčová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Luděk Eyer
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.E.); (A.F.); (D.R.)
| | - Jan Hodek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Michala Zgarbová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Andrea Fořtová
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.E.); (A.F.); (D.R.)
| | - Michael Jirasek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Filip Teply
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Paul E. Reyes-Gutierrez
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.E.); (A.F.); (D.R.)
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Weber
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (K.K.); (J.H.); (M.Z.); (M.J.); (F.T.); (P.E.R.-G.); (J.W.)
- Correspondence:
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Inhibition of the hexamerization of SARS-CoV-2 endoribonuclease and modeling of RNA structures bound to the hexamer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3860. [PMID: 35264667 PMCID: PMC8907205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07792-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-structural protein 15 (Nsp15) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) forms a homo hexamer and functions as an endoribonuclease. Here, we propose that Nsp15 activity may be inhibited by preventing its hexamerization through drug binding. We first explored the stable conformation of the Nsp15 monomer as the global free energy minimum conformation in the free energy landscape using a combination of parallel cascade selection molecular dynamics (PaCS-MD) and the Markov state model (MSM), and found that the Nsp15 monomer forms a more open conformation with larger druggable pockets on the surface. Targeting the pockets with high druggability scores, we conducted ligand docking and identified compounds that tightly bind to the Nsp15 monomer. The top poses with Nsp15 were subjected to binding free energy calculations by dissociation PaCS-MD and MSM (dPaCS-MD/MSM), indicating the stability of the complexes. One of the identified pockets, which is distinctively bound by inosine analogues, may be an alternative binding site to stabilize viral RNA binding and/or an alternative catalytic site. We constructed a stable RNA structure model bound to both UTP and alternative binding sites, providing a reasonable proposed model of the Nsp15/RNA complex.
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Frazier MN, Wilson IM, Krahn JM, Butay KJ, Dillard LB, Borgnia MJ, Stanley RE. Flipped Over U: Structural Basis for dsRNA Cleavage by the SARS-CoV-2 Endoribonuclease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.03.02.480688. [PMID: 35262076 PMCID: PMC8902873 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.02.480688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses generate double-stranded (ds) RNA intermediates during viral replication that can activate host immune sensors. To evade activation of the host pattern recognition receptor MDA5, coronaviruses employ Nsp15, which is uridine-specific endoribonuclease. Nsp15 is proposed to associate with the coronavirus replication-transcription complex within double-membrane vesicles to cleave these dsRNA intermediates. How Nsp15 recognizes and processes dsRNA is poorly understood because previous structural studies of Nsp15 have been limited to small single-stranded (ss) RNA substrates. Here we present cryo-EM structures of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 bound to a 52nt dsRNA. We observed that the Nsp15 hexamer forms a platform for engaging dsRNA across multiple protomers. The structures, along with site-directed mutagenesis and RNA cleavage assays revealed critical insight into dsRNA recognition and processing. To process dsRNA Nsp15 utilizes a base-flipping mechanism to properly orient the uridine within the active site for cleavage. Our findings show that Nsp15 is a distinctive endoribonuclease that can cleave both ss- and dsRNA effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith N. Frazier
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Isha M. Wilson
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Juno M. Krahn
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Kevin John Butay
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Lucas B. Dillard
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Mario J. Borgnia
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Robin E. Stanley
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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The nsp15 Nuclease as a Good Target to Combat SARS-CoV-2: Mechanism of Action and Its Inactivation with FDA-Approved Drugs. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020342. [PMID: 35208797 PMCID: PMC8880170 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is not over yet, despite all the efforts from the scientific community. Vaccination is a crucial weapon to fight this virus; however, we still urge the development of antivirals to reduce the severity and progression of the COVID-19 disease. For that, a deep understanding of the mechanisms involved in viral replication is necessary. nsp15 is an endoribonuclease critical for the degradation of viral polyuridine sequences that activate host immune sensors. This enzyme is known as one of the major interferon antagonists from SARS-CoV-2. In this work, a biochemical characterization of SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 was performed. We saw that nsp15 is active as a hexamer, and zinc can block its activity. The role of conserved residues from SARS-CoV-2 nsp15 was investigated, and N164 was found to be important for protein hexamerization and to contribute to the specificity to degrade uridines. Several chemical groups that impact the activity of this ribonuclease were also identified. Additionally, FDA-approved drugs with the capacity to inhibit the in vitro activity of nsp15 are reported in this work. This study is of utmost importance by adding highly valuable information that can be used for the development and rational design of therapeutic strategies.
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Yan W, Zheng Y, Zeng X, He B, Cheng W. Structural biology of SARS-CoV-2: open the door for novel therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:26. [PMID: 35087058 PMCID: PMC8793099 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the pandemic disease COVID-19, which is so far without efficacious treatment. The discovery of therapy reagents for treating COVID-19 are urgently needed, and the structures of the potential drug-target proteins in the viral life cycle are particularly important. SARS-CoV-2, a member of the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily containing the largest RNA genome, encodes 29 proteins including nonstructural, structural and accessory proteins which are involved in viral adsorption, entry and uncoating, nucleic acid replication and transcription, assembly and release, etc. These proteins individually act as a partner of the replication machinery or involved in forming the complexes with host cellular factors to participate in the essential physiological activities. This review summarizes the representative structures and typically potential therapy agents that target SARS-CoV-2 or some critical proteins for viral pathogenesis, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying viral infection, prevention of infection, and treatment. Indeed, these studies open the door for COVID therapies, leading to ways to prevent and treat COVID-19, especially, treatment of the disease caused by the viral variants are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhu Yan
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanhui Zheng
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaotao Zeng
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin He
- Department of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
- The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District Chengdu, 610100, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wei Cheng
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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Nencka R, Silhan J, Klima M, Otava T, Kocek H, Krafcikova P, Boura E. Coronaviral RNA-methyltransferases: function, structure and inhibition. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:635-650. [PMID: 35018474 PMCID: PMC8789044 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviral methyltransferases (MTases), nsp10/16 and nsp14, catalyze the last two steps of viral RNA-cap creation that takes place in cytoplasm. This cap is essential for the stability of viral RNA and, most importantly, for the evasion of innate immune system. Non-capped RNA is recognized by innate immunity which leads to its degradation and the activation of antiviral immunity. As a result, both coronaviral MTases are in the center of scientific scrutiny. Recently, X-ray and cryo-EM structures of both enzymes were solved even in complex with other parts of the viral replication complex. High-throughput screening as well as structure-guided inhibitor design have led to the discovery of their potent inhibitors. Here, we critically summarize the tremendous advancement of the coronaviral MTase field since the beginning of COVID pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Silhan
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Klima
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Otava
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Hugo Kocek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Krafcikova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Vardhan S, Sahoo SK. Exploring the therapeutic nature of limonoids and triterpenoids against SARS-CoV-2 by targeting nsp13, nsp14, and nsp15 through molecular docking and dynamic simulations. J Tradit Complement Med 2021; 12:44-54. [PMID: 34926189 PMCID: PMC8666293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aim The ongoing global pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2 caused a medical emergency. Since December 2019, the COVID-19 disease is spread across the globe through physical contact and respiratory droplets. Coronavirus caused a severe effect on the human immune system where some of the non-structural proteins (nsp) are involved in virus-mediated immune response and pathogenesis. To suppress the viral RNA replication mechanism and immune-mediated responses, we aimed to identify limonoids and triterpenoids as antagonists by targeting helicases (nsp13), exonuclease (nsp14), and endoribonuclease (nsp15) of SARS-CoV-2 as therapeutic proteins. Experimental procedure In silico molecular docking and drug-likeness of a library of 369 phytochemicals from limonoids and triterpenoids were performed to screen the potential hits that binds effectively at the active site of the proteins target. In addition, the molecular dynamics simulations of the proteins and their complexes with the potential hits were performed for 100 ns by using GROMACS. Results and conclusion The potential compounds 26-deoxyactein and 25-O-anhydrocimigenol 3-O-beta-d-xylopyranoside posing strong interactions with a minimum binding energy of -10.1 and -9.5 kcal/mol, respectively and sustained close contact with nsp13 for 100 ns. The nsp14 replication fork activity was hindered by the tomentosolic acid, timosaponin A-I, and shizukaol A with the binding affinity score of -9.2, -9.2, and -9.0 kcal/mol, respectively. The nsp15 endoribonuclease catalytic residues were inhibited potentially by limonin, 25-O-anhydrocimigenol 3-O-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside, and asperagenin posing strong binding affinity scores of -9.0, -8.8, and -8.7 kcal/mol, respectively. Computationally predicted potential phytochemicals for SARS-CoV-2 are known to possess various medicinal properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seshu Vardhan
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, 395007, Gujarat, India
| | - Suban K Sahoo
- Department of Chemistry, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, 395007, Gujarat, India
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