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Wang TH, Shao HP, Zhao BQ, Zhai HL. Molecular Insights into the Variability in Infection and Immune Evasion Capabilities of SARS-CoV-2 Variants: A Sequence and Structural Investigation of the RBD Domain. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3503-3523. [PMID: 38517012 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants continuously emerge, an increasing number of mutations are accumulating in the Spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) region. Through sequence analysis of various Variants of Concern (VOC), we identified that they predominantly fall within the ο lineage although recent variants introduce any novel mutations in the RBD. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to compute the binding free energy of these variants with human Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Structurally, the binding interface of the ο RBD displays a strong positive charge, complementing the negatively charged binding interface of ACE2, resulting in a significant enhancement in the electrostatic potential energy for the ο variants. Although the increased potential energy is partially offset by the rise in polar solvation free energy, enhanced electrostatic potential contributes to the long-range recognition between the ο variant's RBD and ACE2. We also conducted simulations of glycosylated ACE2-RBD proteins. The newly emerged ο (JN.1) variant has added a glycosylation site at N-354@RBD, which significantly weakened its binding affinity with ACE2. Further, our interaction studies with three monoclonal antibodies across multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains revealed a diminished neutralization efficacy against the ο variants, primarily attributed to the electrostatic repulsion between the antibodies and RBD interface. Considering the characteristics of the ο variant and the trajectory of emerging strains, we propose that newly developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 RBD should have surfaces rich in negative potential and, postbinding, exhibit strong van der Waals interactions. These findings provide invaluable guidance for the formulation of future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Hua Wang
- College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Hai Ping Shao
- College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Bing Qiang Zhao
- College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Hong Lin Zhai
- College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
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2
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Haque S, Kumar P, Mathkor DM, Bantun F, Jalal NA, Mufti AH, Prakash A, Kumar V. In silico evaluation of the inhibitory potential of nucleocapsid inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2: a binding and energetic perspective. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9797-9807. [PMID: 36379684 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2146752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak brought on by the SARS-CoV-2 virus continued to infect a sizable population worldwide. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein is the most conserved RNA-binding structural protein and is a desirable target because of its involvement in viral transcription and replication. Based on this aspect, this study focused to repurpose antiviral compounds approved or in development for treating COVID-19. The inhibitors chosen are either FDA-approved or are currently being studied in clinical trials against COVID-19. Initially, they were designed to target stress granules and other RNA biology. We have utilized structure-based molecular docking and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approach to investigate in detail the binding energy and binding modes of the different anti-N inhibitors to N protein. The result showed that five drugs including Silmitasterib, Ninetanidinb, Ternatin, Luteolin, Fedratinib, PJ34, and Zotatafin were found interacting with RNA binding sites as well as to predicted protein interface with higher binding energy. Overall, drug binding increases the stability of the complex with maximum stability found in the order, Silmitasertib > PJ34 > Zotatatafin. In addition, the frustration changes due to drug binding brings a decrease in local frustration and this decrease is mainly observed in α-helix, β3, β5, and β6 strands and are important for drug binding. Our in-silico data suggest that an effective interaction occurs for some of the tested drugs and prompt their further validation to reduce the rapid outspreading of SARS-CoV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pawan Kumar
- School of Computational & Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Darin Mansor Mathkor
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farkad Bantun
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naif A Jalal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Hasan Mufti
- Medical Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amresh Prakash
- Amity Institute of Integrative Sciences and Health, Amity University Haryana, Gurgaon, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology & Neurosciences, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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3
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Wu W, Cheng Y, Zhou H, Sun C, Zhang S. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein: its role in the viral life cycle, structure and functions, and use as a potential target in the development of vaccines and diagnostics. Virol J 2023; 20:6. [PMID: 36627683 PMCID: PMC9831023 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to take a heavy toll on personal health, healthcare systems, and economies around the globe. Scientists are expending tremendous effort to develop diagnostic technologies for detecting positive infections within the shortest possible time, and vaccines and drugs specifically for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 disease. At the same time, emerging novel variants have raised serious concerns about vaccine efficacy. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein plays an important role in the coronavirus life cycle, and participates in various vital activities after virus invasion. It has attracted a large amount of attention for vaccine and drug development. Here, we summarize the latest research of the N protein, including its role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, structure and function, and post-translational modifications in addition to its involvement in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and use as a basis for the development of vaccines and diagnostic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Wu
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Ying Cheng
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Hong Zhou
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Changzhen Sun
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China.
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Shapira T, Vimalanathan S, Rens C, Pichler V, Peña-Díaz S, Jordana G, Rees W, Winkler DFH, Sarai I, Steiner T, Jean F, Pelech S, Av-Gay Y. Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK3β) blocks nucleocapsid phosphorylation and SARS-CoV-2 replication. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:43. [PMID: 36508083 PMCID: PMC9742639 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00111-1] [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: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
GSK3β has been proposed to have an essential role in Coronaviridae infections. Screening of a targeted library of GSK3β inhibitors against both SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E to identify broad-spectrum anti-Coronaviridae inhibitors resulted in the identification of a high proportion of active compounds with low toxicity to host cells. A selected lead compound, T-1686568, showed low micromolar, dose-dependent activity against SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E. T-1686568 showed efficacy in viral-infected cultured cells and primary 2D organoids. T-1686568 also inhibited SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern Delta and Omicron. Importantly, while inhibition by T-1686568 resulted in the overall reduction of viral load and protein translation, GSK3β inhibition resulted in cellular accumulation of the nucleocapsid protein relative to the spike protein. Following identification of potential phosphorylation sites of Coronaviridae nucleocapsid, protein kinase substrate profiling assays combined with Western blotting analysis of nine host kinases showed that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid could be phosphorylated by GSK3β and PKCa. GSK3β phosphorylated SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid on the S180/S184, S190/S194 and T198 phospho-sites, following previous priming in the adjacent S188, T198 and S206, respectively. Such inhibition presents a compelling target for broad-spectrum anti-Coronaviridae compound development, and underlies the mechanism of action of GSK3β host-directed therapy against this class of obligate intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirosh Shapira
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Selvarani Vimalanathan
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Celine Rens
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Virginia Pichler
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Sandra Peña-Díaz
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Grace Jordana
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - William Rees
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Dirk F. H. Winkler
- grid.292479.3Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation, Suite 1 – 8755 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 6T3 Canada
| | - Iqbal Sarai
- grid.292479.3Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation, Suite 1 – 8755 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 6T3 Canada
| | - Theodore Steiner
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - François Jean
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Steven Pelech
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada ,grid.292479.3Kinexus Bioinformatics Corporation, Suite 1 – 8755 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC V6P 6T3 Canada
| | - Yossef Av-Gay
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
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Iyengar SM, Barnsley KK, Vu HY, Bongalonta IJA, Herrod AS, Scott JA, Ondrechen MJ. Identification and characterization of alternative sites and molecular probes for SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. Front Chem 2022; 10:1017394. [PMID: 36385993 PMCID: PMC9659918 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1017394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Three protein targets from SARS-CoV-2, the viral pathogen that causes COVID-19, are studied: the main protease, the 2′-O-RNA methyltransferase, and the nucleocapsid (N) protein. For the main protease, the nucleophilicity of the catalytic cysteine C145 is enabled by coupling to three histidine residues, H163 and H164 and catalytic dyad partner H41. These electrostatic couplings enable significant population of the deprotonated state of C145. For the RNA methyltransferase, the catalytic lysine K6968 that serves as a Brønsted base has significant population of its deprotonated state via strong coupling with K6844 and Y6845. For the main protease, Partial Order Optimum Likelihood (POOL) predicts two clusters of biochemically active residues; one includes the catalytic H41 and C145 and neighboring residues. The other surrounds a second pocket adjacent to the catalytic site and includes S1 residues F140, L141, H163, E166, and H172 and also S2 residue D187. This secondary recognition site could serve as an alternative target for the design of molecular probes. From in silico screening of library compounds, ligands with predicted affinity for the secondary site are reported. For the NSP16-NSP10 complex that comprises the RNA methyltransferase, three different sites are predicted. One is the catalytic core at the conserved K-D-K-E motif that includes catalytic residues D6928, K6968, and E7001 plus K6844. The second site surrounds the catalytic core and consists of Y6845, C6849, I6866, H6867, F6868, V6894, D6895, D6897, I6926, S6927, Y6930, and K6935. The third is located at the heterodimer interface. Ligands predicted to have high affinity for the first or second sites are reported. Three sites are also predicted for the nucleocapsid protein. This work uncovers key interactions that contribute to the function of the three viral proteins and also suggests alternative sites for ligand design.
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Parvez MSA, Saha MK, Ibrahim M, Araf Y, Islam MT, Ohtsuki G, Hosen MJ. Insights from a computational analysis of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant: Host–pathogen interaction, pathogenicity, and possible drug therapeutics. Immun Inflamm Dis 2022; 10:e639. [PMID: 35759231 PMCID: PMC9210926 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Md Sorwer Alam Parvez
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan
- Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Shahjalal University of Science & Technology Sylhet Bangladesh
| | - Manash Kumar Saha
- Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Shahjalal University of Science & Technology Sylhet Bangladesh
| | - Md. Ibrahim
- Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Shahjalal University of Science & Technology Sylhet Bangladesh
| | - Yusha Araf
- Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Shahjalal University of Science & Technology Sylhet Bangladesh
| | - Md. Taufiqul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Shahjalal University of Science & Technology Sylhet Bangladesh
| | - Gen Ohtsuki
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan
| | - Mohammad Jakir Hosen
- Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Shahjalal University of Science & Technology Sylhet Bangladesh
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Rolta R, Yadav R, Salaria D, Trivedi S, Imran M, Sourirajan A, Baumler DJ, Dev K. In silico screening of hundred phytocompounds of ten medicinal plants as potential inhibitors of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of COVID-19: an approach to prevent virus assembly. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 39:7017-7034. [PMID: 32851912 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-30484/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there is no specific treatment to cure COVID-19. Many medicinal plants have antiviral, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, wound healing etc. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to screen for potent inhibitors of N-terminal domain (NTD) of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. The structure of NTD of RNA binding domain of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of SARS coronavirus 2 was retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB 6VYO) and the structures of 100 different phytocompounds were retrieved from Pubchem. The receptor protein and ligands were prepared using Schrodinger's Protein Preparation Wizard. Molecular docking was done by using the Schrodinger's maestro 12.0 software. Drug likeness and toxicity of active phytocompounds was predicted by using Swiss adme, admetSAR and protox II online servers. Molecular dynamic simulation of the best three protein- ligand complexes (alizarin, aloe-emodin and anthrarufin) was performed to study the interaction stability. We have identified three potential active sites (named as A, B, C) on receptor protein for efficient binding of the phytocompounds. We found that, among 100 phytocompounds, emodin, aloe-emodin, anthrarufin, alizarine, and dantron of Rheum emodi showed good binding affinity at all the three active sites of RNA binding domain of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of COVID-19.The binding energies of emodin, aloe-emodin, anthrarufin, alizarine, and dantron were -8.299, -8.508, -8.456, -8.441, and -8.322 Kcal mol-1 respectively (site A), -7.714, -6.433, -6.354, -6.598, and -6.99 Kcal mol-1 respectively (site B), and -8.299, 8.508, 8.538, 8.841, and 8.322 Kcal mol-1 respectively (site C). All the active phytocompounds follows the drug likeness properties, non-carcinogenic, and non-toxic. Theses phytocompounds (alone or in combination) could be developed into effective therapy against COVID-19. From MD simulation data, we found that all three complexes of 6VYO with alizarin, aloe-emodin and anthrarufin were stable up to 50 ns. These phytocompounds can be tested further for in vitro or in vivo and used as a potential drug to cure SARS-CoV-2 infection.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan Rolta
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Rohitash Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Deeksha Salaria
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Shubham Trivedi
- Department of Bioengineering, Integral University Lucknow, India
| | - Mohammad Imran
- Department of Pharmacology, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anuradha Sourirajan
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - David J Baumler
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kamal Dev
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Rolta R, Yadav R, Salaria D, Trivedi S, Imran M, Sourirajan A, Baumler DJ, Dev K. In silico screening of hundred phytocompounds of ten medicinal plants as potential inhibitors of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of COVID-19: an approach to prevent virus assembly. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 39:7017-7034. [PMID: 32851912 PMCID: PMC7484575 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1804457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there is no specific treatment to cure COVID-19. Many medicinal plants have antiviral, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, wound healing etc. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to screen for potent inhibitors of N-terminal domain (NTD) of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. The structure of NTD of RNA binding domain of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of SARS coronavirus 2 was retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB 6VYO) and the structures of 100 different phytocompounds were retrieved from Pubchem. The receptor protein and ligands were prepared using Schrodinger's Protein Preparation Wizard. Molecular docking was done by using the Schrodinger's maestro 12.0 software. Drug likeness and toxicity of active phytocompounds was predicted by using Swiss adme, admetSAR and protox II online servers. Molecular dynamic simulation of the best three protein- ligand complexes (alizarin, aloe-emodin and anthrarufin) was performed to study the interaction stability. We have identified three potential active sites (named as A, B, C) on receptor protein for efficient binding of the phytocompounds. We found that, among 100 phytocompounds, emodin, aloe-emodin, anthrarufin, alizarine, and dantron of Rheum emodi showed good binding affinity at all the three active sites of RNA binding domain of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of COVID-19.The binding energies of emodin, aloe-emodin, anthrarufin, alizarine, and dantron were -8.299, -8.508, -8.456, -8.441, and -8.322 Kcal mol-1 respectively (site A), -7.714, -6.433, -6.354, -6.598, and -6.99 Kcal mol-1 respectively (site B), and -8.299, 8.508, 8.538, 8.841, and 8.322 Kcal mol-1 respectively (site C). All the active phytocompounds follows the drug likeness properties, non-carcinogenic, and non-toxic. Theses phytocompounds (alone or in combination) could be developed into effective therapy against COVID-19. From MD simulation data, we found that all three complexes of 6VYO with alizarin, aloe-emodin and anthrarufin were stable up to 50 ns. These phytocompounds can be tested further for in vitro or in vivo and used as a potential drug to cure SARS-CoV-2 infection.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan Rolta
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Rohitash Yadav
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Deeksha Salaria
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Shubham Trivedi
- Department of Bioengineering, Integral University Lucknow, India
| | - Mohammad Imran
- Department of Pharmacology, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anuradha Sourirajan
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - David J. Baumler
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kamal Dev
- Faculty of Applied sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Himachal Pradesh, India,CONTACT Kamal Dev Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Business Management, Solan (HP), Bajhol, 173229, India
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Gorkhali R, Koirala P, Rijal S, Mainali A, Baral A, Bhattarai HK. Structure and Function of Major SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV Proteins. Bioinform Biol Insights 2021; 15:11779322211025876. [PMID: 34220199 PMCID: PMC8221690 DOI: 10.1177/11779322211025876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19 pandemic, has a genomic organization consisting of 16 nonstructural proteins (nsps), 4 structural proteins, and 9 accessory proteins. Relative of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, has genomic organization, which is very similar. In this article, the function and structure of the proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV are described in great detail. The nsps are expressed as a single or two polyproteins, which are then cleaved into individual proteins using two proteases of the virus, a chymotrypsin-like protease and a papain-like protease. The released proteins serve as centers of virus replication and transcription. Some of these nsps modulate the host’s translation and immune systems, while others help the virus evade the host immune system. Some of the nsps help form replication-transcription complex at double-membrane vesicles. Others, including one RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and one exonuclease, help in the polymerization of newly synthesized RNA of the virus and help minimize the mutation rate by proofreading. After synthesis of the viral RNA, it gets capped. The capping consists of adding GMP and a methylation mark, called cap 0 and additionally adding a methyl group to the terminal ribose called cap1. Capping is accomplished with the help of a helicase, which also helps remove a phosphate, two methyltransferases, and a scaffolding factor. Among the structural proteins, S protein forms the receptor of the virus, which latches on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor of the host and N protein binds and protects the genomic RNA of the virus. The accessory proteins found in these viruses are small proteins with immune modulatory roles. Besides functions of these proteins, solved X-ray and cryogenic electron microscopy structures related to the function of the proteins along with comparisons to other coronavirus homologs have been described in the article. Finally, the rate of mutation of SARS-CoV-2 residues of the proteome during the 2020 pandemic has been described. Some proteins are mutated more often than other proteins, but the significance of these mutation rates is not fully understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh Gorkhali
- Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | | | - Sadikshya Rijal
- Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Ashmita Mainali
- Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Adesh Baral
- Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
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Ahmad S, Waheed Y, Ismail S, Abbasi SW, Najmi MH. A computational study to disclose potential drugs and vaccine ensemble for COVID-19 conundrum. J Mol Liq 2021; 324:114734. [PMID: 33199930 PMCID: PMC7654302 DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-COV-2, a virus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic, is considered a potential candidate for the design of new drugs and vaccines. The protein is central to several critical events in virus production, with its highly druggable nature and rich antigenic determinants making it an excellent anti-viral biomolecule. Docking-based virtual screening using the Asinex anti-viral library identified binding of drug molecules at three specific positions: loop 1 region, loop 2 region and β-sheet core pockets, the loop 2 region being the most common binding and stable site for the bulk of the molecules. In parallel, the protein was characterized by vaccine design perspective and harboured three potential B cell-derived T cell epitopes: PINTNSSPD, GVPINTNSS, and DHIGTRNPA. The epitopes are highly antigenic, virulent, non-allergic, non-toxic, bind with good affinity to the highly prevalent DRB*0101 allele and show an average population coverage of 95.04%. A multi-epitope vaccine ensemble which was 83 amino acids long was created. This was highly immunogenic, robust in generating both humoral and cellular immune responses, thermally stable, and had good physicochemical properties that could be easily analyzed in in vivo and in vitro studies. Conformational dynamics of both drug and vaccine ensemble with respect to the receptors are energetically stable, shedding light on favourable conformation and chemical interactions. These facts were validated by subjecting the complexes to relative and absolute binding free energy methods of MMGB/PBSA and WaterSwap. A strong agreement on the system stability was disclosed that supported ligand high affinity potential for the receptors. Collectively, this work sought to provide preliminary experimental data of existing anti-viral drugs as a possible therapy for COVID-19 infections and a new peptide-based vaccine for protection against this pandemic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Ahmad
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Saba Ismail
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Sumra Wajid Abbasi
- NUMS Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Abid Majeed Rd, The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muzammil Hasan Najmi
- Foundation University Medical College, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA-I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
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11
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Lu S, Ye Q, Singh D, Cao Y, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, Villa E, Cleveland DW, Corbett KD. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein forms mutually exclusive condensates with RNA and the membrane-associated M protein. Nat Commun 2021; 12:502. [PMID: 33479198 PMCID: PMC7820290 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20768-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The multifunctional nucleocapsid (N) protein in SARS-CoV-2 binds the ~30 kb viral RNA genome to aid its packaging into the 80-90 nm membrane-enveloped virion. The N protein is composed of N-terminal RNA-binding and C-terminal dimerization domains that are flanked by three intrinsically disordered regions. Here we demonstrate that the N protein's central disordered domain drives phase separation with RNA, and that phosphorylation of an adjacent serine/arginine rich region modulates the physical properties of the resulting condensates. In cells, N forms condensates that recruit the stress granule protein G3BP1, highlighting a potential role for N in G3BP1 sequestration and stress granule inhibition. The SARS-CoV-2 membrane (M) protein independently induces N protein phase separation, and three-component mixtures of N + M + RNA form condensates with mutually exclusive compartments containing N + M or N + RNA, including annular structures in which the M protein coats the outside of an N + RNA condensate. These findings support a model in which phase separation of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein contributes both to suppression of the G3BP1-dependent host immune response and to packaging genomic RNA during virion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Qiaozhen Ye
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Digvijay Singh
- Section of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yong Cao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
| | | | - John R Yates
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Elizabeth Villa
- Section of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Don W Cleveland
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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12
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Khan MT, Irfan M, Ahsan H, Ahmed A, Kaushik AC, Khan AS, Chinnasamy S, Ali A, Wei DQ. Structures of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Binding Proteins and Therapeutic Targets. Intervirology 2021; 64:55-68. [PMID: 33454715 PMCID: PMC7900486 DOI: 10.1159/000513686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic has resulted in thousands of infections and deaths worldwide. Several therapies are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the development of new drugs and the repositioning of existing drugs can only be achieved after the identification of potential therapeutic targets within structures, as this strategy provides the most precise solution for developing treatments for sudden epidemic infectious diseases. Summary In the current investigation, crystal and cryo-electron microscopy structures encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome were systematically examined for the identification of potential drug targets. These structures include nonstructural proteins (Nsp-9; Nsp-12; and Nsp-15), nucleocapsid (N) proteins, and the main protease (Mpro). Key Message The structural information reveals the presence of many potential alternative therapeutic targets, primarily involved in interaction between N protein and Nsp3, forming replication-transcription complexes (RTCs) which might be a potential drug target for effective control of current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. RTCs consist of 16 nonstructural proteins (Nsp1-16) that play the most essential role in the synthesis of viral RNA. Targeting the physical linkage between the envelope and single-stranded positive RNA, a process facilitated by matrix proteins may provide a good alternative strategy. Our current study provides useful information for the development of new lead compounds against SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tahir Khan
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.,School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, and Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Hina Ahsan
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Abrar Ahmed
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Anwar Sheed Khan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Sathishkumar Chinnasamy
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, and Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Arif Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, and Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, and Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, .,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China,
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13
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Ahamad S, Gupta D, Kumar V. Targeting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid oligomerization: Insights from molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:2430-2443. [PMID: 33140703 PMCID: PMC7663461 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1839563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus continually led to infect a large population worldwide. Currently, there is no specific viral protein-targeted therapeutics. The Nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is necessary for viral RNA replication and transcription. The C-terminal domain of N protein (CTD) involves in the self-assembly of N protein into a filament that is packaged into new virions. In this study, the CTD (PDB ID: 6WJI) was targeted for the identification of possible inhibitors of oligomerization of N protein. Herein, multiple computational approaches were employed to explore the potential mechanisms of binding and inhibitor activity of five antiviral drugs toward CTD. The five anti-N drugs studied in this work are 4E1RCat, Silmitasertib, TMCB, Sapanisertib, and Rapamycin. Among the five drugs, 4E1RCat displayed highest binding affinity (-10.95 kcal/mol), followed by rapamycin (-8.91 kcal/mol), silmitasertib (-7.89 kcal/mol), TMCB (-7.05 kcal/mol), and sapanisertib (-6.14 kcal/mol). Subsequently, stability and dynamics of the protein-drug complex were examined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Overall, drug binding increases the stability of the complex with maximum stability observed in the case of 4E1RCat. The CTD-drug complex systems behave differently in terms of the free energy landscape and showed differences in population distribution. Overall, the MD simulation parameters like RMSD, RMSF, Rg, hydrogen bonds analysis, PCA, FEL, and DCCM analysis indicated that 4E1RCat and TMCB complexes were more stable as compared to silmitasertib and sapanisertib and thus could act as effective drug compounds against CTD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzaib Ahamad
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology & Neurosciences (AINN), Amity University, Noida, India
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14
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Lin P, Wang M, Wei Y, Kim T, Wei X. Coronavirus in human diseases: Mechanisms and advances in clinical treatment. MedComm (Beijing) 2020; 1:270-301. [PMID: 33173860 PMCID: PMC7646666 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs), a subfamily of coronavirinae, are a panel of single-stranded RNA virus. Human coronavirus (HCoV) strains (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-NL63) usually cause mild upper respiratory diseases and are believed to be harmless. However, other HCoVs, associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome, and COVID-19, have been identified as important pathogens due to their potent infectivity and lethality worldwide. Moreover, currently, no effective antiviral drugs treatments are available so far. In this review, we summarize the biological characters of HCoVs, their association with human diseases, and current therapeutic options for the three severe HCoVs. We also highlight the discussion about novel treatment strategies for HCoVs infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Lin
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Manni Wang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Taewan Kim
- Wexner Medical Center The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
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15
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Khodadadi E, Maroufi P, Khodadadi E, Esposito I, Ganbarov K, Espsoito S, Yousefi M, Zeinalzadeh E, Kafil HS. Study of combining virtual screening and antiviral treatments of the Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19). Microb Pathog 2020; 146:104241. [PMID: 32387389 PMCID: PMC7199731 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent epidemic outbreak of a novel human coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 and causing the respiratory tract disease COVID-19 has reached worldwide resonance and a global effort is being undertaken to characterize the molecular features and evolutionary origins of this virus. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic viruses plays a vital role in selecting appropriate treatments, saving people's lives and preventing epidemics. Additionally, general treatments, coronavirus-specific treatments, and antiviral treatments useful in fighting COVID-19 are addressed. This review sets out to shed light on the SARS-CoV-2 and host receptor recognition, a crucial factor for successful virus infection and taking immune-informatics approaches to identify B- and T-cell epitopes for surface glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. A variety of improved or new approaches also have been developed. It is anticipated that this will assist researchers and clinicians in developing better techniques for timely and effective detection of coronavirus infection. Moreover, the genomic sequence of the virus responsible for COVID-19, as well as the experimentally determined three-dimensional structure of the Main protease (Mpro) is available. The reported structure of the target Mpro was described in this review to identify potential drugs for COVID-19 using virtual high throughput screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsaneh Khodadadi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Parham Maroufi
- Department of Orthopedy, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Ehsan Khodadadi
- Department of Biology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
| | | | | | | | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Elham Zeinalzadeh
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Hossein Samadi Kafil
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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16
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Yazdani Z, Rafiei A, Yazdani M, Valadan R. Design an Efficient Multi-Epitope Peptide Vaccine Candidate Against SARS-CoV-2: An in silico Analysis. Infect Drug Resist 2020; 13:3007-3022. [PMID: 32943888 PMCID: PMC7459237 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s264573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, no specific vaccine or drug has been proven to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, we implemented an immunoinformatic approach to design an efficient multi-epitopes vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS The designed-vaccine construct consists of several immunodominant epitopes from structural proteins of spike, nucleocapsid, membrane, and envelope. These peptides promote cellular and humoral immunity and interferon-gamma responses. Also, these epitopes have a high antigenic capacity and are not likely to cause allergies. To enhance the vaccine immunogenicity, we used three potent adjuvants: Flagellin of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin, a driven peptide from high mobility group box 1 as HP-91, and human beta-defensin 3 protein. The physicochemical and immunological properties of the vaccine structure were evaluated. The tertiary structure of the vaccine protein was predicted and refined by Phyre2 and Galaxi refine and validated using RAMPAGE and ERRAT. Results of ElliPro showed 246 sresidues from vaccine might be conformational B-cell epitopes. Docking of the vaccine with toll-like receptors (TLR) 3, 5, 8, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 approved an appropriate interaction between the vaccine and receptors. Prediction of mRNA secondary structure and in silico cloning demonstrated that the vaccine can be efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the multi-epitope vaccine might be potentially antigenic and induce humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. This vaccine can interact appropriately with the TLR3, 5, and 8. Also, it has a high-quality structure and suitable characteristics such as high stability and potential for expression in Escherichia coli .
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Yazdani
- Department of Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Alireza Rafiei
- Department of Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Yazdani
- Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan84156-83111, Iran
| | - Reza Valadan
- Department of Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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17
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Khan A, Tahir Khan M, Saleem S, Junaid M, Ali A, Shujait Ali S, Khan M, Wei DQ. Structural insights into the mechanism of RNA recognition by the N-terminal RNA-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2174-2184. [PMID: 32837710 PMCID: PMC7419326 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of recent SARS-CoV-2 has become a global health issue. This single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus is continuously spreading with increasing morbidities and mortalities. The proteome of this virus contains four structural and sixteen nonstructural proteins that ensure the replication of the virus in the host cell. However, the role of phosphoprotein (N) in RNA recognition, replicating, transcribing the viral genome, and modulating the host immune response is indispensable. Recently, the NMR structure of the N-terminal domain of the Nucleocapsid Phosphoprotein has been reported, but its precise structural mechanism of how the ssRNA interacts with it is not reported yet. Therefore, here, we have used an integrated computational pipeline to identify the key residues, which play an essential role in RNA recognition. We generated multiple variants by using an alanine scanning strategy and performed an extensive simulation for each system to signify the role of each interfacial residue. Our analyses suggest that residues T57A, H59A, S105A, R107A, F171A, and Y172A significantly affected the dynamics and binding of RNA. Furthermore, per-residue energy decomposition analysis suggests that residues T57, H59, S105 and R107 are the key hotspots for drug discovery. Thus, these residues may be useful as potential pharmacophores in drug designing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Khan
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Muhammad Tahir Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biosciences, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shoaib Saleem
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320 Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Arif Ali
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Syed Shujait Ali
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mazhar Khan
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Hefei 230027, Anhui, China
| | - Dong-Qing Wei
- State Key Lab of Microbial Metabolism, Department of Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Shanghai-Islamabad-Belgrade Joint Innovation Center on Antibacterial Resistances, Joint Laboratory of International Cooperation in Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Ministry of Education and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Vanke Cloud City Phase I Building 8, Xili Street, Nashan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
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18
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Lu S, Ye Q, Singh D, Villa E, Cleveland DW, Corbett KD. The SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid phosphoprotein forms mutually exclusive condensates with RNA and the membrane-associated M protein. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.07.30.228023. [PMID: 32766587 PMCID: PMC7402048 DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.30.228023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
The multifunctional nucleocapsid (N) protein in SARS-CoV-2 binds the ~30 kb viral RNA genome to aid its packaging into the 80-90nm membrane-enveloped virion. The N protein is composed of N-terminal RNA-binding and C-terminal dimerization domains that are flanked by three intrinsically disordered regions. Here we demonstrate that a centrally located 40 amino acid intrinsically disordered domain drives phase separation of N protein when bound to RNA, with the morphology of the resulting condensates affected by inclusion in the RNA of the putative SARS-CoV-2 packaging signal. The SARS-CoV-2 M protein, normally embedded in the virion membrane with its C-terminus extending into the virion core, independently induces N protein phase separation that is dependent on the N protein's C-terminal dimerization domain and disordered region. Three-component mixtures of N+M+RNA form condensates with mutually exclusive compartments containing N+M or N+RNA, including spherical annular structures in which the M protein coats the outside of an N+RNA condensate. These findings support a model in which phase separation of the N protein with both the viral genomic RNA and the SARS-CoV-2 M protein facilitates RNA packaging and virion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Qiaozhen Ye
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Digvijay Singh
- Section of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 93093
| | - Elizabeth Villa
- Section of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 93093
| | - Don W Cleveland
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, La Jolla, CA 92093
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19
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Maranon DG, Anderson JR, Maranon AG, Wilusz J. The interface between coronaviruses and host cell RNA biology: Novel potential insights for future therapeutic intervention. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2020; 11:e1614. [PMID: 32638509 PMCID: PMC7361139 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses, including SARS-Cov-2, are RNA-based pathogens that interface with a large variety of RNA-related cellular processes during infection. These processes include capping, polyadenylation, localization, RNA stability, translation, and regulation by RNA binding proteins or noncoding RNA effectors. The goal of this article is to provide an in-depth perspective on the current state of knowledge of how various coronaviruses interact with, usurp, and/or avoid aspects of these cellular RNA biology machineries. A thorough understanding of how coronaviruses interact with RNA-related posttranscriptional processes in the cell should allow for new insights into aspects of viral pathogenesis as well as identify new potential avenues for the development of anti-coronaviral therapeutics. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Maranon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - John R Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Abril G Maranon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wilusz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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20
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Amin M, Abbas G. Docking study of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine interaction with RNA binding domain of nucleocapsid phospho-protein - an in silico insight into the comparative efficacy of repurposing antiviral drugs. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:4243-4255. [PMID: 32469265 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1775703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent outbreak of novel Coronavirus disease () pandemic around the world is associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome. The death toll associated with the pandemic is increasing day by day. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus and its N terminal domain (NTD) of Nucleocapsid protein (N protein) binds to the viral (+) sense RNA and results in virus ribonucleoprotien complex, essential for the virus replication. The N protein is composed of a serine-rich linker region sandwiched between NTD and C terminal (CTD). These terminals play a role in viral entry and its processing post entry. The NTD of SARS-CoV-2 N protein forms orthorhombic crystals and binds to the viral genome. Therefore, there is always a quest to target RNA binding domain of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (NTD-N-protein which in turn may help in controlling diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2 in humans. The role of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine as potential treatments for is still under debate globally because of some side effects associated with it. This study involves the In silico interactions of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine with the NTD-N-protein of SARS-CoV-2. With the help of various computational methods, we have explored the potential role of both of these antiviral drugs for the treatment of patients by comparing the efficacy of both of the drugs to bind to NTD-N-protein. In our research Hydroxychloroquine exhibited potential inhibitory effects of NTD-N-protein with binding energy -7.28 kcal/mol than Chloroquine (-6.30 kcal/mol) at SARS-CoV-2 receptor recognition of susceptible cells. The outcomes of this research strongly appeal for in vivo trials of Hydroxychloroquine for the patients infected with . Furthermore, the recommended doses of Hydroxychloroquine may reduce the chances of catching to the healthcare workers and staff who are in contact with or delivering direct care to coronavirus patients as long as they have not been diagnosed with . We further hypothesize that the comparative NTD-N-protein -drug docking interactions may help to understand the comparative efficacy of other candidate repurposing drugs until discovery of a proper vaccine.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Amin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Ghazanfar Abbas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
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Kang S, Yang M, Hong Z, Zhang L, Huang Z, Chen X, He S, Zhou Z, Zhou Z, Chen Q, Yan Y, Zhang C, Shan H, Chen S. Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein RNA binding domain reveals potential unique drug targeting sites. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:1228-1238. [PMID: 32363136 PMCID: PMC7194921 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 449] [Impact Index Per Article: 112.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus continually lead to worldwide human infections and deaths. Currently, there is no specific viral protein-targeted therapeutics. Viral nucleocapsid protein is a potential antiviral drug target, serving multiple critical functions during the viral life cycle. However, the structural information of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein remains unclear. Herein, we have determined the 2.7 Å crystal structure of the N-terminal RNA binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Although the overall structure is similar as other reported coronavirus nucleocapsid protein N-terminal domain, the surface electrostatic potential characteristics between them are distinct. Further comparison with mild virus type HCoV-OC43 equivalent domain demonstrates a unique potential RNA binding pocket alongside the β-sheet core. Complemented by in vitro binding studies, our data provide several atomic resolution features of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein N-terminal domain, guiding the design of novel antiviral agents specific targeting to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Kang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhongsi Hong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, Institution of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Zhaoxia Huang
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Xiaoxue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Suhua He
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Ziliang Zhou
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhechong Zhou
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Qiuyue Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Changsheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, Institution of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Hong Shan
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Interventional Medicine, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Shoudeng Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Experimental Medicine, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
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Zhu G, Zhu C, Zhu Y, Sun F. Minireview of progress in the structural study of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2020; 1:53-61. [PMID: 33236001 PMCID: PMC7323663 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Major progress has been achieved with regard to the understanding of the phylogeny and genomic organization of SARS-CoV-2. This review summarized crucial developments in the elucidation of the structure and function of key SARS-CoV-2 proteins. The molecular details of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication could improve the effective clinical treatment.
A severe form of pneumonia, named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization, broke out in China and rapidly developed into a global pandemic, with millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths reported globally. The novel coronavirus, which was designated as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the etiological agent of COVID-19. On the basis of experience accumulated following previous SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV outbreaks and research, a series of studies have been conducted rapidly, and major progress has been achieved with regard to the understanding of the phylogeny and genomic organization of SARS-CoV-2 in addition its molecular mechanisms of infection and replication. In the present review, we summarized crucial developments in the elucidation of the structure and function of key SARS-CoV-2 proteins, especially the main protease, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, spike glycoprotein, and nucleocapsid protein. Results of studies on their associated inhibitors and drugs have also been highlighted.
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Key Words
- 3CLpro, 3C-like protease
- 6-HB, six-helix bundle
- ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- CatB/L, cysteine proteases-cathepsin B and L
- Drug-screening
- E protein, Envelope protein
- Genome-encoded proteins
- HR1, heptad repeat 1
- HR2, heptad repeat 2
- M protein, Membrane protein
- MERS-CoV, the Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- Mpro, Main protease
- N protein, Nucleocapsid protein
- NSP, non-structural protein
- ORF, Open reading frame
- PD, peptidase domain
- RBD, receptor-binding domain
- RBM, receptor-binding motif
- RMP, The remdesivir monophosphate
- RdRp, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
- S protein, Spike glycoprotein
- SARS-CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- SARS-CoV-2
- SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- Structure-based screening
- gRNA, genomic RNA
- sgRNA, subgenomic RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunmei Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Fei Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Corresponding authors.
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Yang YL, Yu JQ, Huang YW. Swine enteric alphacoronavirus (swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus): An update three years after its discovery. Virus Res 2020; 285:198024. [PMID: 32482591 PMCID: PMC7229464 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A summary of the research progress in SeACoV (SADS-CoV) from 2017 to 2020. Bat-derived SeACoV was most recently recognized prior to SARS-CoV-2 associated with COVID-19. Focusing on the etiology, epidemiology, evolutionary perspective, potential for interspecies transmission, pathogenesis and diagnosis.
Discovered in 2017, swine enteric alphacoronavirus (SeACoV), also known as swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) or porcine enteric alphacoronavirus (PEAV), is the fifth porcine CoV identified in diarrheal piglets. The presumed name “SADS-CoV” may not be appropriate since current studies have not provided strong evidence for high pathogenicity of the virus. SeACoV was the most recently recognized CoV of potential bat origin prior to the novel human severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV 2 (SARS-CoV-2), associated with the pandemic CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although SeACoV is recognized as a regional epizootic virus currently, it possesses the most extensive cell species tropism in vitro among known CoVs. This review summarizes the emergence of SeACoV and updates the research progress made from 2017 to early 2020, mainly focusing on the etiology, epidemiology, evolutionary perspective, potential for interspecies transmission, pathogenesis and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Le Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jia-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yao-Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Han Y, Zhang J, Shi H, Zhou L, Chen J, Zhang X, Liu J, Zhang J, Wang X, Ji Z, Jing Z, Cong G, Ma J, Shi D, Li F. Epitope mapping and cellular localization of swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus nucleocapsid protein using a novel monoclonal antibody. Virus Res 2019; 273:197752. [PMID: 31518629 PMCID: PMC7114574 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
SADS-CoV N-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) was generated and characterized. N mAb detected SADS-CoV in infected cells. Identified the motif 343DAPVFTPAP351 as the minimal unit of the linear B-cell epitope recognized by mAb 3E9.
A swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) that causes severe diarrhea in suckling piglets was identified in Southern China in 2017. To develop an antigen that is specific, sensitive, and easy to prepare for serological diagnosis, antigenic sites in the SADS-CoV nucleocapsid (N) protein were screened. We generated and characterized an N-reactive monoclonal antibody (mAb) 3E9 from mice immunized with recombinant N protein. Through fine epitope mapping of mAb 3E9 using a panel of eukaryotic-expressed polypeptides with GFP-tags, we identified the motif 343DAPVFTPAP351 as the minimal unit of the linear B-cell epitope recognized by mAb 3E9. Protein sequence alignment indicated that 343DAPVFTPAP351 was highly conserved in different SADS-CoV strains and SADS-related coronaviruses from bat, with one substitution in this motif in HKU2-related bat coronavirus. Using mAb 3E9, we observed that N protein was expressed in the cytoplasm and was in the nucleolus during SADS-CoV replication. N protein was immunoprecipitated from SADS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells. Taken together, our results indicated that 3E9 mAb could be a useful tool to investigate the structure and function of N protein during viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Han
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Jiyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Hongyan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Ling Zhou
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Tianhe District, Wushan Road 483, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jianfei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Jianbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Jialin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Zhaoyang Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Zhaoyang Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Guangyi Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Jingyun Ma
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Tianhe District, Wushan Road 483, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Da Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China.
| | - Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangfang District, Haping Road 678, Harbin, 150069, China.
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Coronavirus nucleocapsid proteins assemble constitutively in high molecular oligomers. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5740. [PMID: 28720894 PMCID: PMC5515880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06062-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoV) are enveloped viruses and rely on their nucleocapsid N protein to incorporate the positive-stranded genomic RNA into the virions. CoV N proteins form oligomers but the mechanism and relevance underlying their multimerization remain to be fully understood. Using in vitro pull-down experiments and density glycerol gradients, we found that at least 3 regions distributed over its entire length mediate the self-interaction of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) N protein. The fact that these regions can bind reciprocally between themselves provides a possible molecular basis for N protein oligomerization. Interestingly, cytoplasmic N molecules of MHV-infected cells constitutively assemble into oligomers through a process that does not require binding to genomic RNA. Based on our data, we propose a model where constitutive N protein oligomerization allows the optimal loading of the genomic viral RNA into a ribonucleoprotein complex via the presentation of multiple viral RNA binding motifs.
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Abstract
Coronaviruses have large positive-strand RNA genomes that are 5' capped and 3' polyadenylated. The 5'-terminal two-thirds of the genome contain two open reading frames (ORFs), 1a and 1b, that together make up the viral replicase gene and encode two large polyproteins that are processed by viral proteases into 15-16 nonstructural proteins, most of them being involved in viral RNA synthesis. ORFs located in the 3'-terminal one-third of the genome encode structural and accessory proteins and are expressed from a set of 5' leader-containing subgenomic mRNAs that are synthesized by a process called discontinuous transcription. Coronavirus protein synthesis not only involves cap-dependent translation mechanisms but also employs regulatory mechanisms, such as ribosomal frameshifting. Coronavirus replication is known to affect cellular translation, involving activation of stress-induced signaling pathways, and employing viral proteins that affect cellular mRNA translation and RNA stability. This chapter describes our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in coronavirus mRNA translation and changes in host mRNA translation observed in coronavirus-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Nakagawa
- The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - K G Lokugamage
- The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - S Makino
- The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States; UTMB Center for Tropical Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.
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27
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Papageorgiou N, Lichière J, Baklouti A, Ferron F, Sévajol M, Canard B, Coutard B. Structural characterization of the N-terminal part of the MERS-CoV nucleocapsid by X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2016; 72:192-202. [PMID: 26894667 PMCID: PMC7159594 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798315024328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The N protein of coronaviruses is a multifunctional protein that is organized into several domains. The N‐terminal part is composed of an intrinsically disordered region (IDR) followed by a structured domain called the N‐terminal domain (NTD). In this study, the structure determination of the N‐terminal region of the MERS‐CoV N protein via X‐ray diffraction measurements is reported at a resolution of 2.4 Å. Since the first 30 amino acids were not resolved by X‐ray diffraction, the structural study was completed by a SAXS experiment to propose a structural model including the IDR. This model presents the N‐terminal region of the MERS‐CoV as a monomer that displays structural features in common with other coronavirus NTDs.
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Wang YS, Chang CK, Hou MH. Crystallographic analysis of the N-terminal domain of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus nucleocapsid protein. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2015; 71:977-80. [PMID: 26249685 PMCID: PMC4528927 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x15010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The N-terminal domain of the nucleocapsid protein from Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV NP-NTD) contains many positively charged residues and has been identified to be responsible for RNA binding during ribonucleocapsid formation by the virus. In this study, the crystallization and crystallographic analysis of MERS-CoV NP-NTD (amino acids 39-165), with a molecular weight of 14.7 kDa, are reported. MERS-CoV NP-NTD was crystallized at 293 K using PEG 3350 as a precipitant and a 94.5% complete native data set was collected from a cooled crystal at 77 K to 2.63 Å resolution with an overall Rmerge of 9.6%. The crystals were monoclinic and belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 35.60, b = 109.64, c = 91.99 Å, β = 101.22°. The asymmetric unit contained four MERS-CoV NP-NTD molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Chung-ke Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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Yang D, Leibowitz JL. The structure and functions of coronavirus genomic 3' and 5' ends. Virus Res 2015; 206:120-33. [PMID: 25736566 PMCID: PMC4476908 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Revised: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are an important cause of illness in humans and animals. Most human coronaviruses commonly cause relatively mild respiratory illnesses; however two zoonotic coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, can cause severe illness and death. Investigations over the past 35 years have illuminated many aspects of coronavirus replication. The focus of this review is the functional analysis of conserved RNA secondary structures in the 5' and 3' of the betacoronavirus genomes. The 5' 350 nucleotides folds into a set of RNA secondary structures which are well conserved, and reverse genetic studies indicate that these structures play an important role in the discontinuous synthesis of subgenomic RNAs in the betacoronaviruses. These cis-acting elements extend 3' of the 5'UTR into ORF1a. The 3'UTR is similarly conserved and contains all of the cis-acting sequences necessary for viral replication. Two competing conformations near the 5' end of the 3'UTR have been shown to make up a potential molecular switch. There is some evidence that an association between the 3' and 5'UTRs is necessary for subgenomic RNA synthesis, but the basis for this association is not yet clear. A number of host RNA proteins have been shown to bind to the 5' and 3' cis-acting regions, but the significance of these in viral replication is not clear. Two viral proteins have been identified as binding to the 5' cis-acting region, nsp1 and N protein. A genetic interaction between nsp8 and nsp9 and the region of the 3'UTR that contains the putative molecular switch suggests that these two proteins bind to this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Julian L Leibowitz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA.
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Zuwała K, Golda A, Kabala W, Burmistrz M, Zdzalik M, Nowak P, Kedracka-Krok S, Zarebski M, Dobrucki J, Florek D, Zeglen S, Wojarski J, Potempa J, Dubin G, Pyrc K. The nucleocapsid protein of human coronavirus NL63. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117833. [PMID: 25700263 PMCID: PMC4336326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human coronavirus (HCoV) NL63 was first described in 2004 and is associated with respiratory tract disease of varying severity. At the genetic and structural level, HCoV-NL63 is similar to other members of the Coronavirinae subfamily, especially human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E). Detailed analysis, however, reveals several unique features of the pathogen. The coronaviral nucleocapsid protein is abundantly present in infected cells. It is a multi-domain, multi-functional protein important for viral replication and a number of cellular processes. The aim of the present study was to characterize the HCoV-NL63 nucleocapsid protein. Biochemical analyses revealed that the protein shares characteristics with homologous proteins encoded in other coronaviral genomes, with the N-terminal domain responsible for nucleic acid binding and the C-terminal domain involved in protein oligomerization. Surprisingly, analysis of the subcellular localization of the N protein of HCoV-NL63 revealed that, differently than homologous proteins from other coronaviral species except for SARS-CoV, it is not present in the nucleus of infected or transfected cells. Furthermore, no significant alteration in cell cycle progression in cells expressing the protein was observed. This is in stark contrast with results obtained for other coronaviruses, except for the SARS-CoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Zuwała
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Golda
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kabala
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał Burmistrz
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michal Zdzalik
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Nowak
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sylwia Kedracka-Krok
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mirosław Zarebski
- Division of Cell Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jerzy Dobrucki
- Division of Cell Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Dominik Florek
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sławomir Zeglen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Szpitalna 2, 41–800, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Jacek Wojarski
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Szpitalna 2, 41–800, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Jan Potempa
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Oral Health and Systemic Disease Research Group, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States of America
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30–387, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail:
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31
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Yang D, Liu P, Wudeck EV, Giedroc DP, Leibowitz JL. SHAPE analysis of the RNA secondary structure of the Mouse Hepatitis Virus 5' untranslated region and N-terminal nsp1 coding sequences. Virology 2014; 475:15-27. [PMID: 25462342 PMCID: PMC4280293 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
SHAPE technology was used to analyze RNA secondary structure of the 5' most 474 nts of the MHV-A59 genome encompassing the minimal 5' cis-acting region required for defective interfering RNA replication. The structures generated were in agreement with previous characterizations of SL1 through SL4 and two recently predicted secondary structure elements, S5 and SL5A. SHAPE provided biochemical support for four additional stem-loops not previously functionally investigated in MHV. Secondary structure predictions for 5' regions of MHV-A59, BCoV and SARS-CoV were similar despite high sequence divergence. The pattern of SHAPE reactivity of in virio genomic RNA, ex virio genomic RNA, and in vitro synthesized RNA was similar, suggesting that binding of N protein or other proteins to virion RNA fails to protect the RNA from reaction with lipid permeable SHAPE reagent. Reverse genetic experiments suggested that SL5C and SL6 within the nsp1 coding sequence are not required for viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA
| | - Pinghua Liu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA
| | - Elyse V Wudeck
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA
| | - David P Giedroc
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Julian L Leibowitz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, 407 Reynolds Medical Building, 1114 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA.
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McBride R, van Zyl M, Fielding BC. The coronavirus nucleocapsid is a multifunctional protein. Viruses 2014; 6:2991-3018. [PMID: 25105276 PMCID: PMC4147684 DOI: 10.3390/v6082991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 625] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) is a structural protein that forms complexes with genomic RNA, interacts with the viral membrane protein during virion assembly and plays a critical role in enhancing the efficiency of virus transcription and assembly. Recent studies have confirmed that N is a multifunctional protein. The aim of this review is to highlight the properties and functions of the N protein, with specific reference to (i) the topology; (ii) the intracellular localization and (iii) the functions of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth McBride
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
| | - Marjorie van Zyl
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
| | - Burtram C Fielding
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Modderdam Road, Bellville, Western Cape 7535, South Africa.
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33
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Lin SY, Liu CL, Chang YM, Zhao J, Perlman S, Hou MH. Structural basis for the identification of the N-terminal domain of coronavirus nucleocapsid protein as an antiviral target. J Med Chem 2014; 57:2247-57. [PMID: 24564608 PMCID: PMC3983370 DOI: 10.1021/jm500089r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Coronaviruses
(CoVs) cause numerous diseases, including Middle
East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome, generating
significant health-related and economic consequences. CoVs encode
the nucleocapsid (N) protein, a major structural protein that plays
multiple roles in the virus replication cycle and forms a ribonucleoprotein
complex with the viral RNA through the N protein’s N-terminal
domain (N-NTD). Using human CoV-OC43 (HCoV-OC43) as a model for CoV,
we present the 3D structure of HCoV-OC43 N-NTD complexed with ribonucleoside
5′-monophosphates to identify a distinct ribonucleotide-binding
pocket. By targeting this pocket, we identified and developed a new
coronavirus N protein inhibitor, N-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydrophenanthridin-2-yl)(N,N-dimethylamino)acetamide hydrochloride
(PJ34), using virtual screening; this inhibitor reduced the N protein’s
RNA-binding affinity and hindered viral replication. We also determined
the crystal structure of the N-NTD–PJ34 complex. On the basis
of these findings, we propose guidelines for developing new N protein-based
antiviral agents that target CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shing-Yen Lin
- College of Life Science, ‡Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, and §Agriculture Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University , Taichung 40254, Taiwan
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Recognition of the murine coronavirus genomic RNA packaging signal depends on the second RNA-binding domain of the nucleocapsid protein. J Virol 2014; 88:4451-65. [PMID: 24501403 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03866-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein forms a helical ribonucleoprotein with the viral positive-strand RNA genome and binds to the principal constituent of the virion envelope, the membrane (M) protein, to facilitate assembly and budding. Besides these structural roles, N protein associates with a component of the replicase-transcriptase complex, nonstructural protein 3, at a critical early stage of infection. N protein has also been proposed to participate in the replication and selective packaging of genomic RNA and the transcription and translation of subgenomic mRNA. Coronavirus N proteins contain two structurally distinct RNA-binding domains, an unusual characteristic among RNA viruses. To probe the functions of these domains in the N protein of the model coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), we constructed mutants in which each RNA-binding domain was replaced by its counterpart from the N protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Mapping of revertants of the resulting chimeric viruses provided evidence for extensive intramolecular interactions between the two RNA-binding domains. Through analysis of viral RNA that was packaged into virions we identified the second of the two RNA-binding domains as a principal determinant of MHV packaging signal recognition. As expected, the interaction of N protein with M protein was not affected in either of the chimeric viruses. Moreover, the SARS-CoV N substitutions did not alter the fidelity of leader-body junction formation during subgenomic mRNA synthesis. These results more clearly delineate the functions of N protein and establish a basis for further exploration of the mechanism of genomic RNA packaging. IMPORTANCE This work describes the interactions of the two RNA-binding domains of the nucleocapsid protein of a model coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus. The main finding is that the second of the two domains plays an essential role in recognizing the RNA structure that allows the selective packaging of genomic RNA into assembled virions.
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35
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Chang CK, Hou MH, Chang CF, Hsiao CD, Huang TH. The SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid protein--forms and functions. Antiviral Res 2014; 103:39-50. [PMID: 24418573 PMCID: PMC7113676 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus N proteins share the same modular organization. Structures of SARS-CoV N protein provide insight into nucleocapsid formation. N protein binds to nucleic acid at multiple sites in a coupled-allostery manner. A RNP packaging model highlighting the importance of disorder and modularity is proposed.
The nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV N protein) packages the viral genome into a helical ribonucleocapsid (RNP) and plays a fundamental role during viral self-assembly. It is a protein with multifarious activities. In this article we will review our current understanding of the N protein structure and its interaction with nucleic acid. Highlights of the progresses include uncovering the modular organization, determining the structures of the structural domains, realizing the roles of protein disorder in protein–protein and protein–nucleic acid interactions, and visualizing the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) structure inside the virions. It was also demonstrated that N-protein binds to nucleic acid at multiple sites with a coupled-allostery manner. We propose a SARS-CoV RNP model that conforms to existing data and bears resemblance to the existing RNP structures of RNA viruses. The model highlights the critical role of modular organization and intrinsic disorder of the N protein in the formation and functions of the dynamic RNP capsid in RNA viruses. This paper forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on “From SARS to MERS: 10 years of research on highly pathogenic human coronaviruses.”
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-ke Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Department of Life Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40254, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chi-Fon Chang
- The Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chwan-Deng Hsiao
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tai-huang Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, ROC; The Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Physics, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan, ROC.
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36
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Reselection of a genomic upstream open reading frame in mouse hepatitis coronavirus 5'-untranslated-region mutants. J Virol 2013; 88:846-58. [PMID: 24173235 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02831-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An AUG-initiated upstream open reading frame (uORF) encoding a potential polypeptide of 3 to 13 amino acids (aa) is found within the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of >75% of coronavirus genomes based on 38 reference strains. Potential CUG-initiated uORFs are also found in many strains. The AUG-initiated uORF is presumably translated following genomic 5'-end cap-dependent ribosomal scanning, but its function is unknown. Here, in a reverse-genetics study with mouse hepatitis coronavirus, the following were observed. (i) When the uORF AUG-initiating codon was replaced with a UAG stop codon along with a U112A mutation to maintain a uORF-harboring stem-loop 4 structure, an unimpaired virus with wild-type (WT) growth kinetics was recovered. However, reversion was found at all mutated sites within five virus passages. (ii) When the uORF was fused with genomic (main) ORF1 by converting three in-frame stop codons to nonstop codons, a uORF-ORF1 fusion protein was made, and virus replicated at WT levels. However, a frameshifting G insertion at virus passage 7 established a slightly 5'-extended original uORF. (iii) When uAUG-eliminating deletions of 20, 30, or 51 nucleotides (nt) were made within stem-loop 4, viable but debilitated virus was recovered. However, a C80U mutation in the first mutant and an A77G mutation in the second appeared by passage 10, which generated alternate uORFs that correlated with restored WT growth kinetics. In vitro, the uORF-disrupting nondeletion mutants showed enhanced translation of the downstream ORF1 compared with the WT. These results together suggest that the uORF represses ORF1 translation yet plays a beneficial but nonessential role in coronavirus replication in cell culture.
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Chen IJ, Yuann JMP, Chang YM, Lin SY, Zhao J, Perlman S, Shen YY, Huang TH, Hou MH. Crystal structure-based exploration of the important role of Arg106 in the RNA-binding domain of human coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:1054-62. [PMID: 23501675 PMCID: PMC3774783 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) is a causative agent of the common cold. The nucleocapsid (N) protein, which is a major structural protein of CoVs, binds to the viral RNA genome to form the virion core and results in the formation of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. We have solved the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of HCoV-OC43 N protein (N-NTD) (residues 58 to 195) to a resolution of 2.0Å. The HCoV-OC43 N-NTD is a single domain protein composed of a five-stranded β-sheet core and a long extended loop, similar to that observed in the structures of N-NTDs from other coronaviruses. The positively charged loop of the HCoV-OC43 N-NTD contains a structurally well-conserved positively charged residue, R106. To assess the role of R106 in RNA binding, we undertook a series of site-directed mutagenesis experiments and docking simulations to characterize the interaction between R106 and RNA. The results show that R106 plays an important role in the interaction between the N protein and RNA. In addition, we showed that, in cells transfected with plasmids that encoded the mutant (R106A) N protein and infected with virus, the level of the matrix protein gene was decreased by 7-fold compared to cells that were transfected with the wild-type N protein. This finding suggests that R106, by enhancing binding of the N protein to viral RNA plays a critical role in the viral replication. The results also indicate that the strength of N protein/RNA interactions is critical for HCoV-OC43 replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Jung Chen
- Department of Life Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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38
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Liang FY, Lin LC, Ying TH, Yao CW, Tang TK, Chen YW, Hou MH. Immunoreactivity characterisation of the three structural regions of the human coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein by Western blot: implications for the diagnosis of coronavirus infection. J Virol Methods 2012; 187:413-20. [PMID: 23174159 PMCID: PMC7112824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2012.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2011] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported that a prokaryotic-expressed recombinant nucleocapsid protein (NP) is a suitable reagent for the epidemiological screening of coronavirus infection. In this study, soluble recombinant human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) NP was produced to examine the antigenicity of the HCoV-OC43 NP of betacoronavirus. Using the purified recombinant NP as an antigen, a polyclonal antibody from rabbit serum with specificity for HCoV-OC43 NP was generated; this antibody reacts specifically with HCoV-OC43 NP and does not cross-react with other human CoV NPs (including those of SARS-CoV and HCoV-229E) by Western blot. Sera from 26 young adults, 17 middle-aged and elderly patients with respiratory infection, and 15 cord blood samples were also tested. Strong reactivity to the NPs of HCoV-OC43 was observed in 96%, 82%, and 93% of the serum samples from the young adults, respiratory patients, and cord blood samples, respectively. To identify the immunoreactivities of the three structural regions of the NP that are recognised by the rabbit polyclonal antibody and human serum, the antigenicities of three protein fragments, including the N-terminal domain (aa 1-173), the central-linker region (aa 174-300), and the C-terminal domain (aa 301-448), were evaluated by Western blot. The rabbit polyclonal antibody demonstrated greater immunoreactivity to the central-linker region and the C-terminal domain than to the N-terminal domain. Three different patterns for the immunoreactivities of the three structural regions of HCoV-OC43 NP were observed in human serum, suggesting variability in the immune responses that occur during HCoV-OC43 infection in humans. The central-linker region of the NP appeared to be the most highly immunoreactive region for all three patterns observed. The goal of this study was to offer insight into the design of diagnostic tools for HCoV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Ying Liang
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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39
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Kuo SM, Kao HW, Hou MH, Wang CH, Lin SH, Su HL. Evolution of infectious bronchitis virus in Taiwan: positively selected sites in the nucleocapsid protein and their effects on RNA-binding activity. Vet Microbiol 2012; 162:408-418. [PMID: 23159091 PMCID: PMC7117379 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
RNA recombination has been shown to underlie the sporadic emergence of new variants of coronavirus, including the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a highly contagious avian pathogen. We have demonstrated that RNA recombination can give rise to a new viral population, supported by the finding that most isolated Taiwanese (TW) IBVs, similar to Chinese (CH) IBVs, exhibit a genetic rearrangement with the American (US) IBV at the 5’ end of the nucleocapsid (N) gene. Here, we further show that positive selection has occurred at two sites within the putative crossover region of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the TW IBV N protein. Based on the crystal structure of the NTD, the stereographic positions of both predicted selected sites do not fall close to the RNA-binding groove. Surprisingly, converting either of the two residues to the amino acid present in most CH IBVs resulted in significantly reduced affinity of the N protein for the synthetic RNA repeats of the viral transcriptional regulatory sequence. These results suggest that modulating the amino acid residue at either selected site may alter the conformation of the N protein and affect the viral RNA–N interaction. This study illustrates that the N protein of the current TW IBV variant has been shaped by both RNA recombination and positive selection and that the latter may promote viral survival and fitness, potentially by increasing the RNA-binding capacity of the N protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ming Kuo
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wei Kao
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ho Wang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Siou-Hong Lin
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Lin Su
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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40
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Asano A, Torigoe D, Sasaki N, Agui T. Identification of antigenic peptides derived from B-cell epitopes of nucleocapsid protein of mouse hepatitis virus for serological diagnosis. J Virol Methods 2011; 177:107-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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41
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Sola I, Mateos-Gomez PA, Almazan F, Zuñiga S, Enjuanes L. RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions in coronavirus replication and transcription. RNA Biol 2011; 8:237-48. [PMID: 21378501 PMCID: PMC3230552 DOI: 10.4161/rna.8.2.14991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Revised: 01/17/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus (CoV) RNA synthesis includes the replication of the viral genome, and the transcription of sgRNAs by a discontinuous mechanism. Both processes are regulated by RNA sequences such as the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), and the transcription regulating sequences (TRSs) of the leader (TRS-L) and those preceding each gene (TRS-Bs). These distant RNA regulatory sequences interact with each other directly and probably through protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions involving viral and cellular proteins. By analogy to other plus-stranded RNA viruses, such as polioviruses, in which translation and replication switch involves a cellular factor (PCBP) and a viral protein (3CD) it is conceivable that in CoVs the switch between replication and transcription is also associated with the binding of proteins that are specifically recruited by the replication or transcription complexes. Complexes between RNA motifs such as TRS-L and the TRS-Bs located along the CoV genome are probably formed previously to the transcription start, and most likely promote template-switch of the nascent minus RNA to the TRS-L region. Many cellular proteins interacting with regulatory CoV RNA sequences are members of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family of RNA-binding proteins, involved in mRNA processing and transport, which shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In the context of CoV RNA synthesis, these cellular ribonucleoproteins might also participate in RNA-protein complexes to bring into physical proximity TRS-L and distant TRS-B, as proposed for CoV discontinuous transcription. In this review, we summarize RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions that represent modest examples of complex quaternary RNA-protein structures required for the fine-tuning of virus replication. Design of chemically defined replication and transcription systems will help to clarify the nature and activity of these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Sola
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, CNB, CSIC, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
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Yang Z, Wu N, Fu Y, Yang G, Wang W, Zu Y, Efferth T. Anti-infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) activity of 1,8-cineole: effect on nucleocapsid (N) protein. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2011; 28:323-30. [PMID: 20919748 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2010.10507362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, anti-IBV (infectious bronchitis virus) activity of 1,8-cineole was studied by MTT assay, as well as docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The CC50 of 1,8-cineole was above 10 mM. And the maximum noncytotoxic concentration (TD0) of 1,8-cineole was determined to be 3.90 ± 0.22 mM, which was much higher than that of ribavirin (0.78 ± 0.15 mM). 1,8-cineole could inhibit IBV with an IC(50) of 0.61 mM. MTT assay showed that the inhibition of IBV by 1, 8-cineole appears to occur moderately before entering the cell but much strongly after penetration of the virus into the cell. In silico simulations indicated that the binding site of 1,8-cineole was located at the N terminus of phosphorylated nucleocapsid (N) protein, with interaction energy equaling -40.33 kcal mol(-1). The residues TyrA92, ProA134, PheA137, AspA138 and TyrA140 had important roles during the binding process and are fully or partially conserved in various IBV strains. Based on spatial and energetic criteria, 1,8-cineole interfered with the binding between RNA and IBV N-protein. Results presented here may suggest that 1,8-cineole possesses anti-IBV properties, and therefore is a potential source of anti-IBV ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
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Comparative anti-infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) activity of (-)-pinene: effect on nucleocapsid (N) protein. Molecules 2011; 16:1044-54. [PMID: 21350392 PMCID: PMC6259611 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16021044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Revised: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, anti-IBV (infectious bronchitis virus) activities of (-)-pinenes were studied by MTT assay, as well as docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The CC₅₀ values of (-)-α-pinene and (-)-β-pinene were above 10 mM. And the maximum noncytotoxic concentrations (TD₀) of (-)-α-pinene and (-)-β-pinene were determined as 7.88 ± 0.06 and 6.09 ± 0.31 mM, respectively. The two compounds were found to inhibit IBV with an IC₅₀ of 0.98 ± 0.25 and 1.32 ± 0.11 mM. The MTT assay showed that the inhibitions of (-)-pinenes against IBV appear to occur moderately before entering the cell but are much stronger occur after penetration of the virus into the cell. Molecular simulations indicated that (-)-α-pinene and (-)-β-pinene specifically interact with the active site which is located at the N terminus of phosphorylated nucleocapsid (N) protein, with the former being more potent than the latter. The binding energies of them are -36.83 and -35.59 kcal mol-1, respectively. Results presented here may suggest that (-)-α-pinene and (-)-β-pinene possess anti-IBV properties, and therefore are a potential source of anti-IBV ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry.
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44
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Ma Y, Tong X, Xu X, Li X, Lou Z, Rao Z. Structures of the N- and C-terminal domains of MHV-A59 nucleocapsid protein corroborate a conserved RNA-protein binding mechanism in coronavirus. Protein Cell 2010; 1:688-97. [PMID: 21203940 PMCID: PMC4875274 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-010-0079-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are the causative agent of respiratory and enteric diseases in animals and humans. One example is SARS, which caused a worldwide health threat in 2003. In coronaviruses, the structural protein N (nucleocapsid protein) associates with the viral RNA to form the filamentous nucleocapsid and plays a crucial role in genome replication and transcription. The structure of Nterminal domain of MHV N protein also implicated its specific affinity with transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) RNA. Here we report the crystal structures of the two proteolytically resistant N- (NTD) and C-terminal (CTD) domains of the N protein from murine hepatitis virus (MHV). The structure of NTD in two different crystal forms was solved to 1.5 Å. The higher resolution provides more detailed structural information than previous reports, showing that the NTD structure from MHV shares a similar overall and topology structure with that of SARS-CoV and IBV, but varies in its potential surface, which indicates a possible difference in RNA-binding module. The structure of CTD was solved to 2.0-Å resolution and revealed a tightly intertwined dimer. This is consistent with analytical ultracentrifugation experiments, suggesting a dimeric assembly of the N protein. The similarity between the structures of these two domains from SARS-CoV, IBV and MHV corroborates a conserved mechanism of nucleocapsid formation for coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Ma
- Life National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
- Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Xiaohang Tong
- Life National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
- Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Xuemei Li
- Life National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Zhiyong Lou
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Zihe Rao
- Life National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
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45
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An interaction between the nucleocapsid protein and a component of the replicase-transcriptase complex is crucial for the infectivity of coronavirus genomic RNA. J Virol 2010; 84:10276-88. [PMID: 20660183 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01287-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein plays an essential role in virion assembly via interactions with the large, positive-strand RNA viral genome and the carboxy-terminal endodomain of the membrane protein (M). To learn about the functions of N protein domains in the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), we replaced the MHV N gene with its counterpart from the closely related bovine coronavirus (BCoV). The resulting viral mutant was severely defective, even though individual domains of the N protein responsible for N-RNA, N-M, or N-N interactions were completely interchangeable between BCoV and MHV. The lesion in the BCoV N substitution mutant could be compensated for by reverting mutations in the central, serine- and arginine-rich (SR) domain of the N protein. Surprisingly, a second class of reverting mutations were mapped to the amino terminus of a replicase subunit, nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3). A similarly defective MHV N mutant bearing an insertion of the SR region from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus N protein was rescued by the same two classes of reverting mutations. Our genetic results were corroborated by the demonstration that the expressed amino-terminal segment of nsp3 bound selectively to N protein from infected cells, and this interaction was RNA independent. Moreover, we found a direct correlation between the N-nsp3 interaction and the ability of N protein to stimulate the infectivity of transfected MHV genomic RNA (gRNA). Our results suggest a role for this previously unknown N-nsp3 interaction in the localization of genomic RNA to the replicase complex at an early stage of infection.
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46
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Chen IJ, Chou CC, Liu CL, Lee CC, Kan LS, Hou MH. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the N-terminal domain of human coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2010; 66:815-8. [PMID: 20606281 PMCID: PMC2898469 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309110017616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2010] [Accepted: 05/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The N-terminal domain of nucleocapsid protein from human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43 N-NTD) mostly contains positively charged residues and has been identified as being responsible for RNA binding during ribonucleocapsid formation in the coronavirus. In this study, the crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of HCoV-OC43 N-NTD (amino acids 58-195) with a molecular weight of 20 kDa are reported. HCoV-OC43 N-NTD was crystallized at 293 K using PEG 1500 as a precipitant and a 99.9% complete native data set was collected to 1.7 A resolution at 100 K with an overall R(merge) of 5.0%. The crystals belonged to the hexagonal space group P6(5), with unit-cell parameters a = 81.57, c = 42.87 A. Solvent-content calculations suggest that there is likely to be one subunit of N-NTD in the asymmetric unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Jung Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Chou
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Liu
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chung Lee
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Lou-Sing Kan
- Institute of Bioengineering, Tatung University, Taipei 104, Taiwan
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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47
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Huang CY, Hsu YL, Chiang WL, Hou MH. Elucidation of the stability and functional regions of the human coronavirus OC43 nucleocapsid protein. Protein Sci 2010; 18:2209-18. [PMID: 19691129 PMCID: PMC2788276 DOI: 10.1002/pro.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) is one of the causes of the “common cold” in human during seasons of cold weather. The primary function of the HCoV-OC43 nucleocapsid protein (N protein) is to recognize viral genomic RNA, which leads to ribonucleocapsid formation. Here, we characterized the stability and identified the functional regions of the recombinant HCoV-OC43 N protein. Circular dichroism and fluorescence measurements revealed that the HCoV-OC43 N protein is more highly ordered and stabler than the SARS-CoV N protein previously studied. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments showed that the affinity of HCoV-OC43 N protein for RNA was approximately fivefold higher than that of N protein for DNA. Moreover, we found that the HCoV-OC43 N protein contains three RNA-binding regions in its N-terminal region (residues 1–173) and central-linker region (residues 174–232 and 233–300). The binding affinities of the truncated N proteins and RNA follow the order: residues 1–173–residues 233–300 > residues 174–232. SPR experiments demonstrated that the C-terminal region (residues 301–448) of HCoV-OC43 N protein lacks RNA-binding activity, while crosslinking and gel filtration analyses revealed that the C-terminal region is mainly involved in the oligomerization of the HCoV-OC43 N protein. This study may benefit the understanding of the mechanism of HCoV-OC43 nucleocapsid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yu Huang
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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48
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RNA Higher-Order Structures Within the Coronavirus 5′ and 3′ Untranslated Regions and Their Roles in Viral Replication. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE SARS-CORONAVIRUS 2010. [PMCID: PMC7176159 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-03683-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of all coronaviruses contain RNA higher-order structures which play essential roles in viral transcription and replication. In this chapter we present our current knowledge of how those cis-acting elements were defined and their functional roles in viral transcription and replication. Cellular proteins which have been shown binding to those cis-acting elements and potentially support the RNA discontinuous synthesis model are also discussed. A conserved RNA structure model for the 5′ and 3′ UTRs of group 2 coronaviruses is presented with the known cellular protein binding sites.
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49
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Coronavirus nucleocapsid protein facilitates template switching and is required for efficient transcription. J Virol 2009; 84:2169-75. [PMID: 19955314 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02011-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purified nucleocapsid protein (N protein) from transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) enhanced hammerhead ribozyme self-cleavage and favored nucleic acid annealing, properties that define RNA chaperones, as previously reported. Several TGEV N-protein deletion mutants were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified, and their RNA binding ability and RNA chaperone activity were evaluated. The smallest N-protein domain analyzed with RNA chaperone activity, facilitating DNA and RNA annealing, contained the central unstructured region (amino acids 117 to 268). Interestingly, N protein and its deletion mutants with RNA chaperone activity enhanced template switching in a retrovirus-derived heterologous system, reinforcing the concept that TGEV N protein is an RNA chaperone that could be involved in template switching. This result is in agreement with the observation that in vivo, N protein is not necessary for TGEV replication, but it is required for efficient transcription.
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50
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Grossoehme NE, Li L, Keane SC, Liu P, Dann CE, Leibowitz JL, Giedroc DP. Coronavirus N protein N-terminal domain (NTD) specifically binds the transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) and melts TRS-cTRS RNA duplexes. J Mol Biol 2009; 394:544-57. [PMID: 19782089 PMCID: PMC2783395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2009] [Revised: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
All coronaviruses (CoVs), including the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), encode a nucleocapsid (N) protein that harbors two independent RNA binding domains of known structure, but poorly characterized RNA binding properties. We show here that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of N protein from mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a virus most closely related to SARS-CoV, employs aromatic amino acid-nucleobase stacking interactions with a triple adenosine motif to mediate high-affinity binding to single-stranded RNAs containing the transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) or its complement (cTRS). Stoichiometric NTD fully unwinds a TRS-cTRS duplex that mimics a transiently formed transcription intermediate in viral subgenomic RNA synthesis. Mutation of the solvent-exposed Y127, positioned on the beta-platform surface of our 1.75 A structure, binds the TRS far less tightly and is severely crippled in its RNA unwinding activity. In contrast, the C-terminal domain (CTD) exhibits no RNA unwinding activity. Viruses harboring Y127A N mutation are strongly selected against and Y127A N does not support an accessory function in MHV replication. We propose that the helix melting activity of the coronavirus N protein NTD plays a critical accessory role in subgenomic RNA synthesis and other processes requiring RNA remodeling.
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