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Brownsword MJ, Locker N. A little less aggregation a little more replication: Viral manipulation of stress granules. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1741. [PMID: 35709333 PMCID: PMC10078398 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent exciting studies have uncovered how membrane-less organelles, also known as biocondensates, are providing cells with rapid response pathways, allowing them to re-organize their cellular contents and adapt to stressful conditions. Their assembly is driven by the phase separation of their RNAs and intrinsically disordered protein components into condensed foci. Among these, stress granules (SGs) are dynamic cytoplasmic biocondensates that form in response to many stresses, including activation of the integrated stress response or viral infections. SGs sit at the crossroads between antiviral signaling and translation because they concentrate signaling proteins and components of the innate immune response, in addition to translation machinery and stalled mRNAs. Consequently, they have been proposed to contribute to antiviral activities, and therefore are targeted by viral countermeasures. Equally, SGs components can be commandeered by viruses for their own efficient replication. Phase separation processes are an important component of the viral life cycle, for example, driving the assembly of replication factories or inclusion bodies. Therefore, in this review, we will outline the recent understanding of this complex interplay and tug of war between viruses, SGs, and their components. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease Translation > Regulation RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Brownsword
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and MedicineUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Nicolas Locker
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and MedicineUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
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2
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Abomughaid MM, Nofal MS, Ghaleb KI, Seadawy MG, AbdEl-Wahab MG, Hegazy AS, Ghareeb DA. ZnO-chlorogenic acid nanostructured complex inhibits Covid-19 pathogenesis and increases hydroxychloroquine efficacy. JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY - SCIENCE 2022; 34:102296. [PMID: 36062198 PMCID: PMC9425706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jksus.2022.102296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective The study purpose was to compare the anti- novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) property of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) with the new valid synthesized complex of ZnO /CGA-NPs. Methods The facile mixing method was utilized to prepare ZnO/CGA-NPs. The in vitro effect of different ZnO/CGA-NPs concentrations on papain-like protease (PLpro) and spike protein- receptor-binding domain (RBD) was measured by ELISA technique. The compounds effects on SARS-CoV2 were determined on viral entry, replication, and assembly by using plaque reduction assay, qPCR, and ELISA techniques. Their individual effects or mixed with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on erythrocytes (RBCs) and leukocytes (WBCs) were evaluated by routine cell culture technique. Finally, turbidity and agar well diffusion assays were done to evaluate their antimicrobial properties against Escherichia. coli, klebsila pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Results The results confirmed that the uniformly dispersed ZnO-NPs were converted to aggregated form of ZnO/CGA-NPs upon the addition of CGA. The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of ZnO /CGA-NPs against RBD, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and PLpro were 1647.7, 323.3 µg/mL and 38.7 µg/mL, respectively. Also, it inhibited E-gene, RdRp gene, E-protein, and spike protein with an IC50 of 0.11, 0.13, 0.48, and 0.37 µg/mL, respectively. It acted as an antimicrobial against all tested organisms with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 26 µg/mL. Finally, ZnO/CGA-NPs Complex (0.1 IC50) prevented the cytotoxic effect of HCQ on RBCs and WBC by 92.3 and 90 %, respectively. Conclusion ZnO/CGA-NPs Complex can be considered as a new anti- severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) compound.
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3
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Guseva S, Perez LM, Camacho-Zarco A, Bessa LM, Salvi N, Malki A, Maurin D, Blackledge M. 1H, 13C and 15N Backbone chemical shift assignments of the n-terminal and central intrinsically disordered domains of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2021; 15:255-260. [PMID: 33730325 PMCID: PMC7967780 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-021-10014-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The nucleoprotein (N) from SARS-CoV-2 is an essential cofactor of the viral replication transcription complex and as such represents an important target for viral inhibition. It has also been shown to colocalize to the transcriptase-replicase complex, where many copies of N decorate the viral genome, thereby protecting it from the host immune system. N has also been shown to phase separate upon interaction with viral RNA. N is a 419 amino acid multidomain protein, comprising two folded, RNA-binding and dimerization domains spanning residues 45-175 and 264-365 respectively. The remaining 164 amino acids are predicted to be intrinsically disordered, but there is currently no atomic resolution information describing their behaviour. Here we assign the backbone resonances of the first two intrinsically disordered domains (N1, spanning residues 1-44 and N3, spanning residues 176-263). Our assignment provides the basis for the identification of inhibitors and functional and interaction studies of this essential protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serafima Guseva
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | | | - Nicola Salvi
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Anas Malki
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Damien Maurin
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, 38000, Grenoble, France
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4
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Grebennikov D, Kholodareva E, Sazonov I, Karsonova A, Meyerhans A, Bocharov G. Intracellular Life Cycle Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Predicted Using Mathematical Modelling. Viruses 2021; 13:1735. [PMID: 34578317 PMCID: PMC8473439 DOI: 10.3390/v13091735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection represents a global threat to human health. Various approaches were employed to reveal the pathogenetic mechanisms of COVID-19. Mathematical and computational modelling is a powerful tool to describe and analyze the infection dynamics in relation to a plethora of processes contributing to the observed disease phenotypes. In our study here, we formulate and calibrate a deterministic model of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. It provides a kinetic description of the major replication stages of SARS-CoV-2. Sensitivity analysis of the net viral progeny with respect to model parameters enables the identification of the life cycle stages that have the strongest impact on viral replication. These three most influential parameters are (i) degradation rate of positive sense vRNAs in cytoplasm (negative effect), (ii) threshold number of non-structural proteins enhancing vRNA transcription (negative effect), and (iii) translation rate of non-structural proteins (positive effect). The results of our analysis could be used for guiding the search for antiviral drug targets to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Grebennikov
- Marchuk Institute of Numerical Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences (INM RAS), 119333 Moscow, Russia;
- Moscow Center for Fundamental and Applied Mathematics at INM RAS, 119333 Moscow, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Kholodareva
- Marchuk Institute of Numerical Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences (INM RAS), 119333 Moscow, Russia;
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, 141701 Moscow Oblast, Russia
| | - Igor Sazonov
- College of Engineering, Swansea University, Bay Campus, Fabian Way, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK;
| | - Antonina Karsonova
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Andreas Meyerhans
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
- ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gennady Bocharov
- Marchuk Institute of Numerical Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences (INM RAS), 119333 Moscow, Russia;
- Moscow Center for Fundamental and Applied Mathematics at INM RAS, 119333 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Computer Science and Mathematical Modelling, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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5
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Slavin M, Zamel J, Zohar K, Eliyahu T, Braitbard M, Brielle E, Baraz L, Stolovich-Rain M, Friedman A, Wolf DG, Rouvinski A, Linial M, Schneidman-Duhovny D, Kalisman N. Targeted in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry and integrative modeling reveal the architectures of three proteins from SARS-CoV-2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2103554118. [PMID: 34373319 PMCID: PMC8403911 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2103554118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Atomic structures of several proteins from the coronavirus family are still partial or unavailable. A possible reason for this gap is the instability of these proteins outside of the cellular context, thereby prompting the use of in-cell approaches. In situ cross-linking and mass spectrometry (in situ CLMS) can provide information on the structures of such proteins as they occur in the intact cell. Here, we applied targeted in situ CLMS to structurally probe Nsp1, Nsp2, and nucleocapsid (N) proteins from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and obtained cross-link sets with an average density of one cross-link per 20 residues. We then employed integrative modeling that computationally combined the cross-linking data with domain structures to determine full-length atomic models. For the Nsp2, the cross-links report on a complex topology with long-range interactions. Integrative modeling with structural prediction of individual domains by the AlphaFold2 system allowed us to generate a single consistent all-atom model of the full-length Nsp2. The model reveals three putative metal binding sites and suggests a role for Nsp2 in zinc regulation within the replication-transcription complex. For the N protein, we identified multiple intra- and interdomain cross-links. Our integrative model of the N dimer demonstrates that it can accommodate three single RNA strands simultaneously, both stereochemically and electrostatically. For the Nsp1, cross-links with the 40S ribosome were highly consistent with recent cryogenic electron microscopy structures. These results highlight the importance of cellular context for the structural probing of recalcitrant proteins and demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted in situ CLMS and integrative modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriya Slavin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Joanna Zamel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Keren Zohar
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Tsiona Eliyahu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Merav Braitbard
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Esther Brielle
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Leah Baraz
- Hadassah Academic College Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9101001, Israel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Miri Stolovich-Rain
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Ahuva Friedman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Dana G Wolf
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander Rouvinski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Michal Linial
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel;
| | - Dina Schneidman-Duhovny
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel;
- The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Nir Kalisman
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel;
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6
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Roden CA, Dai Y, Seim I, Lee M, Sealfon R, McLaughlin GA, Boerneke MA, Iserman C, Wey SA, Ekena JL, Troyanskaya OG, Weeks KM, You L, Chilkoti A, Gladfelter AS. Double-stranded RNA drives SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein to undergo phase separation at specific temperatures. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 34159327 DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.14.448452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infections caused the global Covid-19 pandemic. The nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) is required for multiple steps in the betacoronavirus replication cycle. SARS-CoV-2-N-protein is known to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with specific RNAs at particular temperatures to form condensates. We show that N-protein recognizes at least two separate and distinct RNA motifs, both of which require double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for LLPS. These motifs are separately recognized by N-protein's two RNA binding domains (RBDs). Addition of dsRNA accelerates and modifies N-protein LLPS in vitro and in cells and controls the temperature condensates form. The abundance of dsRNA tunes N-protein-mediated translational repression and may confer a switch from translation to genome packaging. Thus, N-protein's two RBDs interact with separate dsRNA motifs, and these interactions impart distinct droplet properties that can support multiple viral functions. These experiments demonstrate a paradigm of how RNA structure can control the properties of biomolecular condensates.
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7
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Wu Y, Ma L, Cai S, Zhuang Z, Zhao Z, Jin S, Xie W, Zhou L, Zhang L, Zhao J, Cui J. RNA-induced liquid phase separation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein facilitates NF-κB hyper-activation and inflammation. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:167. [PMID: 33895773 PMCID: PMC8065320 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed a worldwide pandemic and a major global public health threat. The severity and mortality of COVID-19 are associated with virus-induced dysfunctional inflammatory responses and cytokine storms. However, the interplay between host inflammatory responses and SARS-CoV-2 infection remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein, the major structural protein of the virion, promotes the virus-triggered activation of NF-κB signaling. After binding to viral RNA, N protein robustly undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which recruits TAK1 and IKK complex, the key kinases of NF-κB signaling, to enhance NF-κB activation. Moreover, 1,6-hexanediol, the inhibitor of LLPS, can attenuate the phase separation of N protein and restrict its regulatory functions in NF-κB activation. These results suggest that LLPS of N protein provides a platform to induce NF-κB hyper-activation, which could be a potential therapeutic target against COVID-19 severe pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoxing Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sihui Cai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiyao Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shouheng Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weihong Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingli Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jun Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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8
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Gruca A, Ziemska-Legiecka J, Jarnot P, Sarnowska E, Sarnowski TJ, Grynberg M. Common low complexity regions for SARS-CoV-2 and human proteomes as potential multidirectional risk factor in vaccine development. BMC Bioinformatics 2021; 22:182. [PMID: 33832440 PMCID: PMC8027979 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-021-04017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapid spread of the COVID-19 demands immediate response from the scientific communities. Appropriate countermeasures mean thoughtful and educated choice of viral targets (epitopes). There are several articles that discuss such choices in the SARS-CoV-2 proteome, other focus on phylogenetic traits and history of the Coronaviridae genome/proteome. However none consider viral protein low complexity regions (LCRs). Recently we created the first methods that are able to compare such fragments. RESULTS We show that five low complexity regions (LCRs) in three proteins (nsp3, S and N) encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome are highly similar to regions from human proteome. As many as 21 predicted T-cell epitopes and 27 predicted B-cell epitopes overlap with the five SARS-CoV-2 LCRs similar to human proteins. Interestingly, replication proteins encoded in the central part of viral RNA are devoid of LCRs. CONCLUSIONS Similarity of SARS-CoV-2 LCRs to human proteins may have implications on the ability of the virus to counteract immune defenses. The vaccine targeted LCRs may potentially be ineffective or alternatively lead to autoimmune diseases development. These findings are crucial to the process of selection of new epitopes for drugs or vaccines which should omit such regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Gruca
- Department of Computer Networks and Systems, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | | | - Patryk Jarnot
- Department of Computer Networks and Systems, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Sarnowska
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz J Sarnowski
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Grynberg
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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9
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Cubuk J, Alston JJ, Incicco JJ, Singh S, Stuchell-Brereton MD, Ward MD, Zimmerman MI, Vithani N, Griffith D, Wagoner JA, Bowman GR, Hall KB, Soranno A, Holehouse AS. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is dynamic, disordered, and phase separates with RNA. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1936. [PMID: 33782395 PMCID: PMC8007728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21953-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 95.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein is an abundant RNA-binding protein critical for viral genome packaging, yet the molecular details that underlie this process are poorly understood. Here we combine single-molecule spectroscopy with all-atom simulations to uncover the molecular details that contribute to N protein function. N protein contains three dynamic disordered regions that house putative transiently-helical binding motifs. The two folded domains interact minimally such that full-length N protein is a flexible and multivalent RNA-binding protein. N protein also undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation when mixed with RNA, and polymer theory predicts that the same multivalent interactions that drive phase separation also engender RNA compaction. We offer a simple symmetry-breaking model that provides a plausible route through which single-genome condensation preferentially occurs over phase separation, suggesting that phase separation offers a convenient macroscopic readout of a key nanoscopic interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Cubuk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jhullian J Alston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - J Jeremías Incicco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sukrit Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Melissa D Stuchell-Brereton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael D Ward
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maxwell I Zimmerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Neha Vithani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel Griffith
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jason A Wagoner
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Gregory R Bowman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kathleen B Hall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrea Soranno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Alex S Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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10
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Zhao H, Wu D, Nguyen A, Li Y, Adão RC, Valkov E, Patterson GH, Piszczek G, Schuck P. Energetic and structural features of SARS-CoV-2 N-protein co-assemblies with nucleic acids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.02.08.430344. [PMID: 33594360 PMCID: PMC7885910 DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.08.430344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus packages the viral genome into well-defined ribonucleoprotein particles, but the molecular pathway is still unclear. N-protein is dimeric and consists of two folded domains with nucleic acid (NA) binding sites, surrounded by intrinsically disordered regions that promote liquid-liquid phase separation. Here we use biophysical tools to study N-protein interactions with oligonucleotides of different length, examining the size, composition, secondary structure, and energetics of the resulting states. We observe formation of supramolecular clusters or nuclei preceding growth into phase-separated droplets. Short hexanucleotide NA forms compact 2:2 N-protein/NA complexes with reduced disorder. Longer oligonucleotides expose additional N-protein interactions and multi-valent protein-NA interactions, which generate higher-order mixed oligomers and simultaneously promote growth of droplets. Phase separation is accompanied by a significant increase in protein secondary structure, different from that caused by initial NA binding, which may contribute to the assembly of ribonucleoprotein particles within molecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaying Zhao
- Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly Section, Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, 13 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ai Nguyen
- Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly Section, Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, 13 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Protein/Peptide Sequencing Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Regina C. Adão
- Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly Section, Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, 13 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eugene Valkov
- Messenger RNA Regulation and Decay Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 560, Room 21–105A, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - George H. Patterson
- Section on Biophotonics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Grzegorz Piszczek
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter Schuck
- Dynamics of Macromolecular Assembly Section, Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, 13 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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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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Cubuk J, Alston JJ, Incicco JJ, Singh S, Stuchell-Brereton MD, Ward MD, Zimmerman MI, Vithani N, Griffith D, Wagoner JA, Bowman GR, Hall KB, Soranno A, Holehouse AS. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is dynamic, disordered, and phase separates with RNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.06.17.158121. [PMID: 32587966 PMCID: PMC7310622 DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.17.158121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein is an abundant RNA binding protein critical for viral genome packaging, yet the molecular details that underlie this process are poorly understood. Here we combine single-molecule spectroscopy with all-atom simulations to uncover the molecular details that contribute to N protein function. N protein contains three dynamic disordered regions that house putative transiently-helical binding motifs. The two folded domains interact minimally such that full-length N protein is a flexible and multivalent RNA binding protein. N protein also undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation when mixed with RNA, and polymer theory predicts that the same multivalent interactions that drive phase separation also engender RNA compaction. We offer a simple symmetry-breaking model that provides a plausible route through which single-genome condensation preferentially occurs over phase separation, suggesting that phase separation offers a convenient macroscopic readout of a key nanoscopic interaction.
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13
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Wu C, Qavi AJ, Hachim A, Kavian N, Cole AR, Moyle AB, Wagner ND, Sweeney-Gibbons J, Rohrs HW, Gross ML, Peiris JSM, Basler CF, Farnsworth CW, Valkenburg SA, Amarasinghe GK, Leung DW. Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 N protein reveals multiple functional consequences of the C-terminal domain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.11.30.404905. [PMID: 33269347 PMCID: PMC7709165 DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.30.404905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nucleocapsid protein (N) is the most abundant viral protein encoded by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. N plays key roles at different steps in the replication cycle and is used as a serological marker of infection. Here we characterize the biochemical properties of SARS-CoV-2 N. We define the N domains important for oligomerization and RNA binding that are associated with spherical droplet formation and suggest that N accessibility and assembly may be regulated by phosphorylation. We also map the RNA binding interface using hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Finally, we find that the N protein C-terminal domain is the most immunogenic by sensitivity, based upon antibody binding to COVID-19 patient samples from the US and Hong Kong. Together, these findings uncover domain-specific insights into the significance of SARS-CoV-2 N and highlight the diagnostic value of using N domains as highly specific and sensitive markers of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abraham J Qavi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Asmaa Hachim
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Niloufar Kavian
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Universitaire Paris Centre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Cochin, Service d'Immunologie Biologique, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris
| | - Aidan R Cole
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Austin B Moyle
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicole D Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joyce Sweeney-Gibbons
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Henry W Rohrs
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - J S Malik Peiris
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher F Basler
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher W Farnsworth
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sophie A Valkenburg
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gaya K Amarasinghe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daisy W Leung
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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14
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Xiao X, Wang C, Chang D, Wang Y, Dong X, Jiao T, Zhao Z, Ren L, Dela Cruz CS, Sharma L, Lei X, Wang J. Identification of Potent and Safe Antiviral Therapeutic Candidates Against SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2020; 11:586572. [PMID: 33324406 PMCID: PMC7723961 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.586572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions of people with mortality exceeding >1 million. There is an urgent need to find therapeutic agents that can help clear the virus to prevent severe disease and death. Identifying effective and safer drugs can provide more options to treat COVID-19 infections either alone or in combination. Here, we performed a high throughput screening of approximately 1,700 US FDA-approved compounds to identify novel therapeutic agents that can effectively inhibit replication of coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2. Our two-step screen first used a human coronavirus strain OC43 to identify compounds with anti-coronaviral activities. The effective compounds were then screened for their effectiveness in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2. These screens have identified 20 anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs including previously reported compounds such as hydroxychloroquine, amlodipine besylate, arbidol hydrochloride, tilorone 2HCl, dronedarone hydrochloride, mefloquine, and thioridazine hydrochloride. Five of the newly identified drugs had a safety index (cytotoxic/effective concentration) of >600, indicating a wide therapeutic window compared to hydroxychloroquine which had a safety index of 22 in similar experiments. Mechanistically, five of the effective compounds (fendiline HCl, monensin sodium salt, vortioxetine, sertraline HCl, and salifungin) were found to block SARS-CoV-2 S protein-mediated cell fusion. These FDA-approved compounds can provide much needed therapeutic options that we urgently need during the midst of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Xiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Conghui Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - De Chang
- The Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Dong
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Jiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhendong Zhao
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Ren
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Charles S. Dela Cruz
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lokesh Sharma
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Xiaobo Lei
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of System Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Christophe Merieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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