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Hung HC, Tan BF, Lin WS, Wu SC. Glycan masking of NTD loops with a chimeric RBD of the spike protein as a vaccine design strategy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29893. [PMID: 39192804 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The N-terminal domain (NTD) of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein comprises five exposed protruding loops. Deletions, insertions, and substitutions within these NTD loops play a significant role in viral evolution and contribute to immune evasion. We reported previously that introducing the glycan masking mutation R158N/Y160T in the NTD loop led to increased titers of neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-01 strain, as well as the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants. In this study, we conducted further investigations on 10 additional glycan-masking sites in the NTD loops. Our findings indicate that the introduction of glycan masking mutations, specifically N87/G89T, H146N/N148T, N185/K187T, and V213N/D215T significantly enhanced neutralizing antibody titers against the Delta variant. The combination of dual glycan-masking mutations R158N/Y160T+V213N/D215T and R158N/Y160T+G219N results in a shift toward the Omicron BA.1. Furthermore, the introduction of the Omicron receptor binding domain (RBD) alongside these two dual glycan masking mutations of Wuhan-Hu-1 and XBB.1 NTD sequences resulted in a noticeable shift in antigenic distances, aligning with the Omicron BA.4/5, BA.2.75.2, BQ.1.1, and XBB.1 subvariants on the antigenic map. This strategic combination, which involves the dual glycan masking mutations R158N/Y160T+V213N/D215T and R158N/Y160T+G219N in the NTD loops, along with the domain swap incorporating the Omicron RBD, emerges as a promising vaccine design strategy for the continuous development of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Chan Hung
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Boon-Fatt Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Shuo Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Chin Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Adimmune Corporation, Taichung, Taiwan
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2
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Verkhivker G. Atomistic Prediction of Structures, Conformational Ensembles and Binding Energetics for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike JN.1, KP.2 and KP.3 Variants Using AlphaFold2 and Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Mutational Profiling and Binding Free Energy Analysis Reveal Epistatic Hotspots of the ACE2 Affinity and Immune Escape. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.09.602810. [PMID: 39026832 PMCID: PMC11257589 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.09.602810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The most recent wave of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants descending from BA.2 and BA.2.86 exhibited improved viral growth and fitness due to convergent evolution of functional hotspots. These hotspots operate in tandem to optimize both receptor binding for effective infection and immune evasion efficiency, thereby maintaining overall viral fitness. The lack of molecular details on structure, dynamics and binding energetics of the latest FLiRT and FLuQE variants with the ACE2 receptor and antibodies provides a considerable challenge that is explored in this study. We combined AlphaFold2-based atomistic predictions of structures and conformational ensembles of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike complexes with the host receptor ACE2 for the most dominant Omicron variants JN.1, KP.1, KP.2 and KP.3 to examine the mechanisms underlying the role of convergent evolution hotspots in balancing ACE2 binding and antibody evasion. Using the ensemble-based mutational scanning of the spike protein residues and computations of binding affinities, we identified binding energy hotspots and characterized molecular basis underlying epistatic couplings between convergent mutational hotspots. The results suggested that the existence of epistatic interactions between convergent mutational sites at L455, F456, Q493 positions that enable to protect and restore ACE2 binding affinity while conferring beneficial immune escape. To examine immune escape mechanisms, we performed structure-based mutational profiling of the spike protein binding with several classes of antibodies that displayed impaired neutralization against BA.2.86, JN.1, KP.2 and KP.3. The results confirmed the experimental data that JN.1, KP.2 and KP.3 harboring the L455S and F456L mutations can significantly impair the neutralizing activity of class-1 monoclonal antibodies, while the epistatic effects mediated by F456L can facilitate the subsequent convergence of Q493E changes to rescue ACE2 binding. Structural and energetic analysis provided a rationale to the experimental results showing that BD55-5840 and BD55-5514 antibodies that bind to different binding epitopes can retain neutralizing efficacy against all examined variants BA.2.86, JN.1, KP.2 and KP.3. The results support the notion that evolution of Omicron variants may favor emergence of lineages with beneficial combinations of mutations involving mediators of epistatic couplings that control balance of high ACE2 affinity and immune evasion.
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3
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Tsujino S, Deguchi S, Nomai T, Padilla-Blanco M, Plianchaisuk A, Wang L, Begum MM, Uriu K, Mizuma K, Nao N, Kojima I, Tsubo T, Li J, Matsumura Y, Nagao M, Oda Y, Tsuda M, Anraku Y, Kita S, Yajima H, Sasaki-Tabata K, Guo Z, Hinay AA, Yoshimatsu K, Yamamoto Y, Nagamoto T, Asakura H, Nagashima M, Sadamasu K, Yoshimura K, Nasser H, Jonathan M, Putri O, Kim Y, Chen L, Suzuki R, Tamura T, Maenaka K, Irie T, Matsuno K, Tanaka S, Ito J, Ikeda T, Takayama K, Zahradnik J, Hashiguchi T, Fukuhara T, Sato K. Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron EG.5.1 variant. Microbiol Immunol 2024. [PMID: 38961765 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.13165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
In middle to late 2023, a sublineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron XBB, EG.5.1 (a progeny of XBB.1.9.2), is spreading rapidly around the world. We performed multiscale investigations, including phylogenetic analysis, epidemic dynamics modeling, infection experiments using pseudoviruses, clinical isolates, and recombinant viruses in cell cultures and experimental animals, and the use of human sera and antiviral compounds, to reveal the virological features of the newly emerging EG.5.1 variant. Our phylogenetic analysis and epidemic dynamics modeling suggested that two hallmark substitutions of EG.5.1, S:F456L and ORF9b:I5T are critical to its increased viral fitness. Experimental investigations on the growth kinetics, sensitivity to clinically available antivirals, fusogenicity, and pathogenicity of EG.5.1 suggested that the virological features of EG.5.1 are comparable to those of XBB.1.5. However, cryo-electron microscopy revealed structural differences between the spike proteins of EG.5.1 and XBB.1.5. We further assessed the impact of ORF9b:I5T on viral features, but it was almost negligible in our experimental setup. Our multiscale investigations provide knowledge for understanding the evolutionary traits of newly emerging pathogenic viruses, including EG.5.1, in the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Tsujino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Deguchi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomo Nomai
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science and Center for Research and Education on Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Miguel Padilla-Blanco
- First Medical Faculty at Biocev, Charles University, Vestec-Prague, Czechia
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU (UCH-CEU), CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Arnon Plianchaisuk
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mst Monira Begum
- Division of Molecular Virology and Genetics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Keiya Uriu
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keita Mizuma
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naganori Nao
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Isshu Kojima
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomoya Tsubo
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jingshu Li
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasufumi Matsumura
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Miki Nagao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Oda
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masumi Tsuda
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuki Anraku
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science and Center for Research and Education on Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kita
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science and Center for Research and Education on Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hisano Yajima
- Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaori Sasaki-Tabata
- Department of Medicinal Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ziyi Guo
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alfredo A Hinay
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | - Mami Nagashima
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Sadamasu
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hesham Nasser
- Division of Molecular Virology and Genetics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Michael Jonathan
- Division of Molecular Virology and Genetics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Olivia Putri
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences (i3L), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Yoonjin Kim
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Science, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Luo Chen
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Rigel Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Tamura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Katsumi Maenaka
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science and Center for Research and Education on Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Global Station for Biosurfaces and Drug Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Division of Pathogen Structure, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Irie
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Keita Matsuno
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shinya Tanaka
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jumpei Ito
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Terumasa Ikeda
- Division of Molecular Virology and Genetics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazuo Takayama
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jiri Zahradnik
- First Medical Faculty at Biocev, Charles University, Vestec-Prague, Czechia
| | - Takao Hashiguchi
- Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Takasuke Fukuhara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Kei Sato
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Tokyo, Japan
- International Vaccine Design Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Collaboration Unit for Infection, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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4
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Huang J, Wang W, Li H, Bai Y, Song Y, Jiao C, Jin H, Huang P, Zhang H, Xia X, Yan F, Li Y, Wang H. Three in one: An effective and universal vaccine expressing heterologous tandem RBD trimer by rabies virus vector protects mice against SARS-CoV-2. Antiviral Res 2024; 227:105905. [PMID: 38740191 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105905] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The rapid emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, coupled with severe immune evasion and imprinting, has jeopardized the vaccine efficacy, necessitating urgent development of broad protective vaccines. Here, we propose a strategy employing recombinant rabies viruses (RABV) to create a universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine expressing heterologous tandem receptor-binding domain (RBD) trimer from the SARS-CoV-2 Prototype, Delta, and Omicron strains (SRV-PDO). The results of mouse immunization indicated that SRV-PDO effectively induced cellular and humoral immune responses, and demonstrated higher immunogenicity and broader SARS-CoV-2 neutralization compared to the recombinant RABVs that only expressed RBD monomers. Moreover, SRV-PDO exhibited full protection against SARS-CoV-2 in the challenge assay. This study demonstrates that recombinant RABV expressing tandem RBD-heterotrimer as a multivalent immunogen could elicit a broad-spectrum immune response and potent protection against SARS-CoV-2, making it a promising candidate for future human or veterinary vaccines and offering a novel perspective in other vaccine design.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Rabies virus/immunology
- Rabies virus/genetics
- COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology
- Mice
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2/genetics
- COVID-19/prevention & control
- COVID-19/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Female
- Humans
- Immunity, Humoral
- Genetic Vectors
- Vaccine Efficacy
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; Department of Chinese Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Weiqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Hailun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yujie Bai
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yumeng Song
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Cuicui Jiao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hongli Jin
- Changchun SR Biological Technology Co., LTD, Changchun 130012, Jilin, China
| | - Pei Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Haili Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xianzhu Xia
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Feihu Yan
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hualei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
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5
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Cao C, Zhang G, Li X, Wang Y, Lü J. Nanomechanical collective vibration of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. J Mol Recognit 2024; 37:e3091. [PMID: 38773782 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.3091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The development of effective therapeutics against COVID-19 requires a thorough understanding of the receptor recognition mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. Here the multidomain collective dynamics on the trimer of the spike protein has been analyzed using normal mode analysis (NMA). A common nanomechanical profile was identified in the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The profile involves collective vibrations of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD), which may mediate the physical interaction process. Quantitative analysis of the collective modes suggests a nanomechanical property involving large-scale conformational changes, which explains the difference in receptor binding affinity among different variants. These results support the use of intrinsic global dynamics as a valuable perspective for studying the allosteric and functional mechanisms of the S protein. This approach also provides a low-cost theoretical toolkit for screening potential pathogenic mutations and drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changfeng Cao
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangxu Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- College of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xueling Li
- College of Public Health, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yadi Wang
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, China
- College of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Junhong Lü
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, China
- College of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
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6
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Xia L, Zhang Y, Zhou Q. Structural basis for the recognition of HCoV-HKU1 by human TMPRSS2. Cell Res 2024; 34:526-529. [PMID: 38641728 PMCID: PMC11217304 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-024-00958-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Xia
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University. Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University. Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University. Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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7
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. Exploring conformational landscapes and binding mechanisms of convergent evolution for the SARS-CoV-2 spike Omicron variant complexes with the ACE2 receptor using AlphaFold2-based structural ensembles and molecular dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:17720-17744. [PMID: 38869513 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp01372g] [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: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we combined AlphaFold-based approaches for atomistic modeling of multiple protein states and microsecond molecular simulations to accurately characterize conformational ensembles evolution and binding mechanisms of convergent evolution for the SARS-CoV-2 spike Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.75, BA.3, BA.4/BA.5 and BQ.1.1. We employed and validated several different adaptations of the AlphaFold methodology for modeling of conformational ensembles including the introduced randomized full sequence scanning for manipulation of sequence variations to systematically explore conformational dynamics of Omicron spike protein complexes with the ACE2 receptor. Microsecond atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a detailed characterization of the conformational landscapes and thermodynamic stability of the Omicron variant complexes. By integrating the predictions of conformational ensembles from different AlphaFold adaptations and applying statistical confidence metrics we can expand characterization of the conformational ensembles and identify functional protein conformations that determine the equilibrium dynamics for the Omicron spike complexes with the ACE2. Conformational ensembles of the Omicron RBD-ACE2 complexes obtained using AlphaFold-based approaches for modeling protein states and MD simulations are employed for accurate comparative prediction of the binding energetics revealing an excellent agreement with the experimental data. In particular, the results demonstrated that AlphaFold-generated extended conformational ensembles can produce accurate binding energies for the Omicron RBD-ACE2 complexes. The results of this study suggested complementarities and potential synergies between AlphaFold predictions of protein conformational ensembles and MD simulations showing that integrating information from both methods can potentially yield a more adequate characterization of the conformational landscapes for the Omicron RBD-ACE2 complexes. This study provides insights in the interplay between conformational dynamics and binding, showing that evolution of Omicron variants through acquisition of convergent mutational sites may leverage conformational adaptability and dynamic couplings between key binding energy hotspots to optimize ACE2 binding affinity and enable immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishank Raisinghani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
| | - Sian Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 75275, USA
| | - Peng Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 75275, USA
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA.
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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8
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An K, Yang X, Luo M, Yan J, Xu P, Zhang H, Li Y, Wu S, Warshel A, Bai C. Mechanistic study of the transmission pattern of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant. Proteins 2024; 92:705-719. [PMID: 38183172 PMCID: PMC11059747 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
The omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) characterized by 30 mutations in its spike protein, has rapidly spread worldwide since November 2021, significantly exacerbating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In order to investigate the relationship between these mutations and the variant's high transmissibility, we conducted a systematic analysis of the mutational effect on spike-angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) interactions and explored the structural/energy correlation of key mutations, utilizing a reliable coarse-grained model. Our study extended beyond the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike trimer through comprehensive modeling of the full-length spike trimer rather than just the RBD. Our free-energy calculation revealed that the enhanced binding affinity between the spike protein and the ACE2 receptor is correlated with the increased structural stability of the isolated spike protein, thus explaining the omicron variant's heightened transmissibility. The conclusion was supported by our experimental analyses involving the expression and purification of the full-length spike trimer. Furthermore, the energy decomposition analysis established those electrostatic interactions make major contributions to this effect. We categorized the mutations into four groups and established an analytical framework that can be employed in studying future mutations. Additionally, our calculations rationalized the reduced affinity of the omicron variant towards most available therapeutic neutralizing antibodies, when compared with the wild type. By providing concrete experimental data and offering a solid explanation, this study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between theories and observations and lays the foundation for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke An
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
- Chenzhu (MoMeD) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, P.R. China
| | - Xianzhi Yang
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University (Luohu Hospital Group), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Mengqi Luo
- College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Junfang Yan
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Peiyi Xu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Honghui Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
| | - Yuqing Li
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Song Wu
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Arieh Warshel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-1062, United States
| | - Chen Bai
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology
- Chenzhu (MoMeD) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, P.R. China
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9
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Liu C, Zhou D, Dijokaite-Guraliuc A, Supasa P, Duyvesteyn HME, Ginn HM, Selvaraj M, Mentzer AJ, Das R, de Silva TI, Ritter TG, Plowright M, Newman TAH, Stafford L, Kronsteiner B, Temperton N, Lui Y, Fellermeyer M, Goulder P, Klenerman P, Dunachie SJ, Barton MI, Kutuzov MA, Dushek O, Fry EE, Mongkolsapaya J, Ren J, Stuart DI, Screaton GR. A structure-function analysis shows SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 balances antibody escape and ACE2 affinity. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101553. [PMID: 38723626 PMCID: PMC11148769 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101553] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
BA.2.86, a recently described sublineage of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, contains many mutations in the spike gene. It appears to have originated from BA.2 and is distinct from the XBB variants responsible for many infections in 2023. The global spread and plethora of mutations in BA.2.86 has caused concern that it may possess greater immune-evasive potential, leading to a new wave of infection. Here, we examine the ability of BA.2.86 to evade the antibody response to infection using a panel of vaccinated or naturally infected sera and find that it shows marginally less immune evasion than XBB.1.5. We locate BA.2.86 in the antigenic landscape of recent variants and look at its ability to escape panels of potent monoclonal antibodies generated against contemporary SARS-CoV-2 infections. We demonstrate, and provide a structural explanation for, increased affinity of BA.2.86 to ACE2, which may increase transmissibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Daming Zhou
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Piyada Supasa
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Helen M E Duyvesteyn
- Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | - Helen M Ginn
- Centre for Free Electron Laser Science, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Muneeswaran Selvaraj
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexander J Mentzer
- Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Raksha Das
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thushan I de Silva
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Thomas G Ritter
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Megan Plowright
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Lizzie Stafford
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Barbara Kronsteiner
- NDM Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nigel Temperton
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Yuan Lui
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin Fellermeyer
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Philip Goulder
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Klenerman
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Susanna J Dunachie
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK; NDM Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Michael I Barton
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Mikhail A Kutuzov
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Omer Dushek
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, UK
| | - Elizabeth E Fry
- Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK.
| | - Juthathip Mongkolsapaya
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Jingshan Ren
- Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK.
| | - David I Stuart
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, UK; Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Oxford, UK.
| | - Gavin R Screaton
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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10
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. AlphaFold2 Predictions of Conformational Ensembles and Atomistic Simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike XBB Lineages Reveal Epistatic Couplings between Convergent Mutational Hotspots that Control ACE2 Affinity. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:4696-4715. [PMID: 38696745 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c01341] [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: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we combined AlphaFold-based atomistic structural modeling, microsecond molecular simulations, mutational profiling, and network analysis to characterize binding mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with the host receptor ACE2 for a series of Omicron XBB variants including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.5+L455F, XBB.1.5+F456L, and XBB.1.5+L455F+F456L. AlphaFold-based structural and dynamic modeling of SARS-CoV-2 Spike XBB lineages can accurately predict the experimental structures and characterize conformational ensembles of the spike protein complexes with the ACE2. Microsecond molecular dynamics simulations identified important differences in the conformational landscapes and equilibrium ensembles of the XBB variants, suggesting that combining AlphaFold predictions of multiple conformations with molecular dynamics simulations can provide a complementary approach for the characterization of functional protein states and binding mechanisms. Using the ensemble-based mutational profiling of protein residues and physics-based rigorous calculations of binding affinities, we identified binding energy hotspots and characterized the molecular basis underlying epistatic couplings between convergent mutational hotspots. Consistent with the experiments, the results revealed the mediating role of the Q493 hotspot in the synchronization of epistatic couplings between L455F and F456L mutations, providing a quantitative insight into the energetic determinants underlying binding differences between XBB lineages. We also proposed a network-based perturbation approach for mutational profiling of allosteric communications and uncovered the important relationships between allosteric centers mediating long-range communication and binding hotspots of epistatic couplings. The results of this study support a mechanism in which the binding mechanisms of the XBB variants may be determined by epistatic effects between convergent evolutionary hotspots that control ACE2 binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishank Raisinghani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Sian Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275, United States
| | - Peng Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275, United States
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California 92618, United States
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11
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Gupta G, Verkhivker G. Exploring Binding Pockets in the Conformational States of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Trimers for the Screening of Allosteric Inhibitors Using Molecular Simulations and Ensemble-Based Ligand Docking. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4955. [PMID: 38732174 PMCID: PMC11084335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms of allosteric regulation remains elusive for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, despite the increasing interest and effort in discovering allosteric inhibitors of the viral activity and interactions with the host receptor ACE2. The challenges of discovering allosteric modulators of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins are associated with the diversity of cryptic allosteric sites and complex molecular mechanisms that can be employed by allosteric ligands, including the alteration of the conformational equilibrium of spike protein and preferential stabilization of specific functional states. In the current study, we combine conformational dynamics analysis of distinct forms of the full-length spike protein trimers and machine-learning-based binding pocket detection with the ensemble-based ligand docking and binding free energy analysis to characterize the potential allosteric binding sites and determine structural and energetic determinants of allosteric inhibition for a series of experimentally validated allosteric molecules. The results demonstrate a good agreement between computational and experimental binding affinities, providing support to the predicted binding modes and suggesting key interactions formed by the allosteric ligands to elicit the experimentally observed inhibition. We establish structural and energetic determinants of allosteric binding for the experimentally known allosteric molecules, indicating a potential mechanism of allosteric modulation by targeting the hinges of the inter-protomer movements and blocking conformational changes between the closed and open spike trimer forms. The results of this study demonstrate that combining ensemble-based ligand docking with conformational states of spike protein and rigorous binding energy analysis enables robust characterization of the ligand binding modes, the identification of allosteric binding hotspots, and the prediction of binding affinities for validated allosteric modulators, which is consistent with the experimental data. This study suggested that the conformational adaptability of the protein allosteric sites and the diversity of ligand bound conformations are both in play to enable efficient targeting of allosteric binding sites and interfere with the conformational changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA;
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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12
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Verkhivker G. Ensemble-Based Mutational Profiling and Network Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron XBB Lineages for Interactions with the ACE2 Receptor and Antibodies: Cooperation of Binding Hotspots in Mediating Epistatic Couplings Underlies Binding Mechanism and Immune Escape. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4281. [PMID: 38673865 PMCID: PMC11049863 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we performed a computational study of binding mechanisms for the SARS-CoV-2 spike Omicron XBB lineages with the host cell receptor ACE2 and a panel of diverse class one antibodies. The central objective of this investigation was to examine the molecular factors underlying epistatic couplings among convergent evolution hotspots that enable optimal balancing of ACE2 binding and antibody evasion for Omicron variants BA.1, BA2, BA.3, BA.4/BA.5, BQ.1.1, XBB.1, XBB.1.5, and XBB.1.5 + L455F/F456L. By combining evolutionary analysis, molecular dynamics simulations, and ensemble-based mutational scanning of spike protein residues in complexes with ACE2, we identified structural stability and binding affinity hotspots that are consistent with the results of biochemical studies. In agreement with the results of deep mutational scanning experiments, our quantitative analysis correctly reproduced strong and variant-specific epistatic effects in the XBB.1.5 and BA.2 variants. It was shown that Y453W and F456L mutations can enhance ACE2 binding when coupled with Q493 in XBB.1.5, while these mutations become destabilized when coupled with the R493 position in the BA.2 variant. The results provided a molecular rationale of the epistatic mechanism in Omicron variants, showing a central role of the Q493/R493 hotspot in modulating epistatic couplings between convergent mutational sites L455F and F456L in XBB lineages. The results of mutational scanning and binding analysis of the Omicron XBB spike variants with ACE2 receptors and a panel of class one antibodies provide a quantitative rationale for the experimental evidence that epistatic interactions of the physically proximal binding hotspots Y501, R498, Q493, L455F, and F456L can determine strong ACE2 binding, while convergent mutational sites F456L and F486P are instrumental in mediating broad antibody resistance. The study supports a mechanism in which the impact on ACE2 binding affinity is mediated through a small group of universal binding hotspots, while the effect of immune evasion could be more variant-dependent and modulated by convergent mutational sites in the conformationally adaptable spike regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishank Raisinghani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (N.R.); (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (N.R.); (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (N.R.); (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (N.R.); (M.A.); (G.G.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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13
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. Predicting Functional Conformational Ensembles and Binding Mechanisms of Convergent Evolution for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron Variants Using AlphaFold2 Sequence Scanning Adaptations and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.02.587850. [PMID: 38617283 PMCID: PMC11014522 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.02.587850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we combined AlphaFold-based approaches for atomistic modeling of multiple protein states and microsecond molecular simulations to accurately characterize conformational ensembles and binding mechanisms of convergent evolution for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.75, BA.3, BA.4/BA.5 and BQ.1.1. We employed and validated several different adaptations of the AlphaFold methodology for modeling of conformational ensembles including the introduced randomized full sequence scanning for manipulation of sequence variations to systematically explore conformational dynamics of Omicron Spike protein complexes with the ACE2 receptor. Microsecond atomistic molecular dynamic simulations provide a detailed characterization of the conformational landscapes and thermodynamic stability of the Omicron variant complexes. By integrating the predictions of conformational ensembles from different AlphaFold adaptations and applying statistical confidence metrics we can expand characterization of the conformational ensembles and identify functional protein conformations that determine the equilibrium dynamics for the Omicron Spike complexes with the ACE2. Conformational ensembles of the Omicron RBD-ACE2 complexes obtained using AlphaFold-based approaches for modeling protein states and molecular dynamics simulations are employed for accurate comparative prediction of the binding energetics revealing an excellent agreement with the experimental data. In particular, the results demonstrated that AlphaFold-generated extended conformational ensembles can produce accurate binding energies for the Omicron RBD-ACE2 complexes. The results of this study suggested complementarities and potential synergies between AlphaFold predictions of protein conformational ensembles and molecular dynamics simulations showing that integrating information from both methods can potentially yield a more adequate characterization of the conformational landscapes for the Omicron RBD-ACE2 complexes. This study provides insights in the interplay between conformational dynamics and binding, showing that evolution of Omicron variants through acquisition of convergent mutational sites may leverage conformational adaptability and dynamic couplings between key binding energy hotspots to optimize ACE2 binding affinity and enable immune evasion.
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14
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Premageetha GT, Vinothkumar KR, Bose S. Exploring advances in single particle CryoEM with apoferritin: From blobs to true atomic resolution. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 169:106536. [PMID: 38307321 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106536] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Deciphering the three-dimensional structures of macromolecules is of paramount importance for gaining insights into their functions and roles in human health and disease. Single particle cryoEM has emerged as a powerful technique that enables direct visualization of macromolecules and their complexes, and through subsequent averaging, achieve near atomic-level resolution. A major breakthrough was recently achieved with the determination of the apoferritin structure at true atomic resolution. In this review, we discuss the latest technological innovations across the entire single-particle workflow, which have been instrumental in driving the resolution revolution and in transforming cryoEM as a mainstream technique in structural biology. We illustrate these advancements using apoferritin as an example that has served as an excellent benchmark sample for assessing emerging technologies. We further explore whether the existing technology can routinely generate atomic structures of dynamic macromolecules that more accurately represent real-world samples, the limitations in the workflow, and the current approaches employed to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowtham ThambraRajan Premageetha
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Post, Bangalore 560065, India; Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Tiger Circle Road, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
| | - Kutti R Vinothkumar
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Post, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Sucharita Bose
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Post, Bangalore 560065, India.
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15
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Arevalo-Romero JA, Chingaté-López SM, Camacho BA, Alméciga-Díaz CJ, Ramirez-Segura CA. Next-generation treatments: Immunotherapy and advanced therapies for COVID-19. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26423. [PMID: 38434363 PMCID: PMC10907543 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in 2019 following prior outbreaks of coronaviruses like SARS and MERS in recent decades, underscoring their high potential of infectivity in humans. Insights from previous outbreaks of SARS and MERS have played a significant role in developing effective strategies to mitigate the global impact of SARS-CoV-2. As of January 7, 2024, there have been 774,075,242 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. To date, 13.59 billion vaccine doses have been administered, and there have been 7,012,986 documented fatalities (https://www.who.int/) Despite significant progress in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 challenges human defenses, presenting ongoing global challenges. The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 lineages, shaped by mutation and recombination processes, has led to successive waves of infections. This scenario reveals the need for next-generation vaccines as a crucial requirement for ensuring ongoing protection against SARS-CoV-2. This demand calls for formulations that trigger a robust adaptive immune response without leading the acute inflammation linked with the infection. Key mutations detected in the Spike protein, a critical target for neutralizing antibodies and vaccine design -specifically within the Receptor Binding Domain region of Omicron variant lineages (B.1.1.529), currently dominant worldwide, have intensified concerns due to their association with immunity evasion from prior vaccinations and infections. As the world deals with this evolving threat, the narrative extends to the realm of emerging variants, each displaying new mutations with implications that remain largely misunderstood. Notably, the JN.1 Omicron lineage is gaining global prevalence, and early findings suggest it stands among the immune-evading variants, a characteristic attributed to its mutation L455S. Moreover, the detrimental consequences of the novel emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages bear a particularly critical impact on immunocompromised individuals and older adults. Immunocompromised individuals face challenges such as suboptimal responses to COVID-19 vaccines, rendering them more susceptible to severe disease. Similarly, older adults have an increased risk of severe disease and the presence of comorbid conditions, find themselves at a heightened vulnerability to develop COVID-19 disease. Thus, recognizing these intricate factors is crucial for effectively tailoring public health strategies to protect these vulnerable populations. In this context, this review aims to describe, analyze, and discuss the current progress of the next-generation treatments encompassing immunotherapeutic approaches and advanced therapies emerging as complements that will offer solutions to counter the disadvantages of the existing options. Preliminary outcomes show that these strategies target the virus and address the immunomodulatory responses associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, the capacity to promote tissue repair has been demonstrated, which can be particularly noteworthy for immunocompromised individuals who stand as vulnerable actors in the global landscape of coronavirus infections. The emerging next-generation treatments possess broader potential, offering protection against a wide range of variants and enhancing the ability to counter the impact of the constant evolution of the virus. Furthermore, advanced therapies are projected as potential treatment alternatives for managing Chronic Post-COVID-19 syndromeand addressing its associated long-term complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Andrea Arevalo-Romero
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
- Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Sandra M. Chingaté-López
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Bernardo Armando Camacho
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | - Carlos Javier Alméciga-Díaz
- Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - Cesar A. Ramirez-Segura
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud, IDCBIS, 111611, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
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16
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. AlphaFold2-Enabled Atomistic Modeling of Structure, Conformational Ensembles, and Binding Energetics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 Spike Protein with ACE2 Host Receptor and Antibodies: Compensatory Functional Effects of Binding Hotspots in Modulating Mechanisms of Receptor Binding and Immune Escape. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:1657-1681. [PMID: 38373700 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01857] [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: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The latest wave of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants displayed a growth advantage and increased viral fitness through convergent evolution of functional hotspots that work synchronously to balance fitness requirements for productive receptor binding and efficient immune evasion. In this study, we combined AlphaFold2-based structural modeling approaches with atomistic simulations and mutational profiling of binding energetics and stability for prediction and comprehensive analysis of the structure, dynamics, and binding of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 spike variant with ACE2 host receptor and distinct classes of antibodies. We adapted several AlphaFold2 approaches to predict both the structure and conformational ensembles of the Omicron BA.2.86 spike protein in the complex with the host receptor. The results showed that the AlphaFold2-predicted structural ensemble of the BA.2.86 spike protein complex with ACE2 can accurately capture the main conformational states of the Omicron variant. Complementary to AlphaFold2 structural predictions, microsecond molecular dynamics simulations reveal the details of the conformational landscape and produced equilibrium ensembles of the BA.2.86 structures that are used to perform mutational scanning of spike residues and characterize structural stability and binding energy hotspots. The ensemble-based mutational profiling of the receptor binding domain residues in the BA.2 and BA.2.86 spike complexes with ACE2 revealed a group of conserved hydrophobic hotspots and critical variant-specific contributions of the BA.2.86 convergent mutational hotspots R403K, F486P, and R493Q. To examine the immune evasion properties of BA.2.86 in atomistic detail, we performed structure-based mutational profiling of the spike protein binding interfaces with distinct classes of antibodies that displayed significantly reduced neutralization against the BA.2.86 variant. The results revealed the molecular basis of compensatory functional effects of the binding hotspots, showing that BA.2.86 lineage may have evolved to outcompete other Omicron subvariants by improving immune evasion while preserving binding affinity with ACE2 via through a compensatory effect of R493Q and F486P convergent mutational hotspots. This study demonstrated that an integrative approach combining AlphaFold2 predictions with complementary atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and robust ensemble-based mutational profiling of spike residues can enable accurate and comprehensive characterization of structure, dynamics, and binding mechanisms of newly emerging Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishank Raisinghani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States of America
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States of America
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States of America
| | - Sian Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275, United States of America
| | - Peng Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275, United States of America
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California 92618, United States of America
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17
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Kumar S, Dasgupta S, Sajadi MM, Snyder GA, DeVico AL, Ray K. Discordant Antigenic Properties of Soluble and Virion SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins. Viruses 2024; 16:407. [PMID: 38543772 PMCID: PMC10974403 DOI: 10.3390/v16030407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Efforts to develop vaccine and immunotherapeutic countermeasures against the COVID-19 pandemic focus on targeting the trimeric spike (S) proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines and therapeutic design strategies must impart the characteristics of virion S from historical and emerging variants onto practical constructs such as soluble, stabilized trimers. The virus spike is a heterotrimer of two subunits: S1, which includes the receptor binding domain (RBD) that binds the cell surface receptor ACE2, and S2, which mediates membrane fusion. Previous studies suggest that the antigenic, structural, and functional characteristics of virion S may differ from current soluble surrogates. For example, it was reported that certain anti-glycan, HIV-1 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies bind soluble SARS-CoV-2 S but do not neutralize SARS-CoV-2 virions. In this study, we used single-molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) under physiologically relevant conditions to examine the reactivity of broadly neutralizing and non-neutralizing anti-S human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated in 2020. Binding efficiency was assessed by FCS with soluble S trimers, pseudoviruses and inactivated wild-type virions representing variants emerging from 2020 to date. Anti-glycan mAbs were tested and compared. We find that both anti-S specific and anti-glycan mAbs exhibit variable but efficient binding to a range of stabilized, soluble trimers. Across mAbs, the efficiencies of soluble S binding were positively correlated with reactivity against inactivated virions but not pseudoviruses. Binding efficiencies with pseudoviruses were generally lower than with soluble S or inactivated virions. Among neutralizing mAbs, potency did not correlate with binding efficiencies on any target. No neutralizing activity was detected with anti-glycan antibodies. Notably, the virion S released from membranes by detergent treatment gained more efficient reactivity with anti-glycan, HIV-neutralizing antibodies but lost reactivity with all anti-S mAbs. Collectively, the FCS binding data suggest that virion surfaces present appreciable amounts of both functional and nonfunctional trimers, with neutralizing anti-S favoring the former structures and non-neutralizing anti-glycan mAbs binding the latter. S released from solubilized virions represents a nonfunctional structure bound by anti-glycan mAbs, while engineered soluble trimers present a composite structure that is broadly reactive with both mAb types. The detection of disparate antigenicity and immunoreactivity profiles in engineered and virion-associated S highlight the value of single-virus analyses in designing future antiviral strategies against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Kumar
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Souradip Dasgupta
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Mohammad M. Sajadi
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Division of Clinical Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Greg A. Snyder
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Anthony L. DeVico
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Krishanu Ray
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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18
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Winiger RR, Perez L. Therapeutic antibodies and alternative formats against SARS-CoV-2. Antiviral Res 2024; 223:105820. [PMID: 38307147 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105820] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) heavily burdened the entire world. Despite a prompt generation of vaccines and therapeutics to confront infection, the virus remains a threat. The ancestor viral strain has evolved into several variants of concern, with the Omicron variant now having many distinct sublineages. Consequently, most available antibodies targeting the spike went obsolete and thus new therapies or therapeutic formats are needed. In this review we focus on antibody targets, provide an overview of the therapeutic progress made so far, describe novel formats being explored, and lessons learned from therapeutic antibodies that can enhance pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel R Winiger
- University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Service of Immunology and Allergy, and Center for Human Immunology Lausanne (CHIL), Switzerland.
| | - Laurent Perez
- University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Service of Immunology and Allergy, and Center for Human Immunology Lausanne (CHIL), Switzerland.
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19
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Liu HY, Hu Y, Yu C, Wang ZG, Liu SL, Pang DW. Quantitative single-virus tracking for revealing the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 fusion with plasma membrane. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:502-511. [PMID: 37993331 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Viral envelope fusion with the host plasma membrane (PM) for genome release is a hallmark step in the life cycle of many enveloped viruses. This process is regulated by a complex network of biomolecules on the PM, but robust tools to precisely elucidate the dynamic mechanisms of virus-PM fusion events are still lacking. Here, we developed a quantitative single-virus tracking approach based on highly efficient dual-color labelling of viruses and batch trajectory analysis to achieve the spatiotemporal quantification of fusion events. This approach allows us to comprehensively analyze the membrane fusion mechanism utilized by pseudotyped severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the single-virus level and precisely elucidate how the relevant biomolecules synergistically regulate the fusion process. Our results revealed that SARS-CoV-2 may promote the formation of supersaturated clusters of cholesterol to facilitate the initiation of the membrane fusion process and accelerate the viral genome release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yusi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Cong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shu-Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China.
| | - Dai-Wen Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China.
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20
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Valdez-Cruz NA, Rosiles-Becerril D, Martínez-Olivares CE, García-Hernández E, Cobos-Marín L, Garzón D, López-Salas FE, Zavala G, Luviano A, Olvera A, Alagón A, Ramírez OT, Trujillo-Roldán MA. Oral administration of a recombinant modified RBD antigen of SARS-CoV-2 as a possible immunostimulant for the care of COVID-19. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:41. [PMID: 38321489 PMCID: PMC10848483 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02320-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 that consider manufacturing limitations, equitable access, and acceptance is necessary for developing platforms to produce antigens that can be efficiently presented for generating neutralizing antibodies and as a model for new vaccines. RESULTS This work presents the development of an applicable technology through the oral administration of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen fused with a peptide to improve its antigenic presentation. We focused on the development and production of the recombinant receptor binding domain (RBD) produced in E. coli modified with the addition of amino acids extension designed to improve antigen presentation. The production was carried out in shake flask and bioreactor cultures, obtaining around 200 mg/L of the antigen. The peptide-fused RBD and peptide-free RBD proteins were characterized and compared using SDS-PAGE gel, high-performance chromatography, and circular dichroism. The peptide-fused RBD was formulated in an oil-in-water emulsion for oral mice immunization. The peptide-fused RBD, compared to RBD, induced robust IgG production in mice, capable of recognizing the recombinant RBD in Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, the peptide-fused RBD generated neutralizing antibodies in the sera of the dosed mice. The formulation showed no reactive episodes and no changes in temperature or vomiting. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of the designed peptide added to the RBD to improve antigen immunostimulation by oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma A Valdez-Cruz
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, México. AP. 70228, CP. 04510, México, D.F, Mexico.
- Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Km 107 Carretera, 22860, Tijuana-Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
| | - Diego Rosiles-Becerril
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, México. AP. 70228, CP. 04510, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - Constanza E Martínez-Olivares
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, México. AP. 70228, CP. 04510, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - Enrique García-Hernández
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Laura Cobos-Marín
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Daniel Garzón
- Unidad de Modelos Biológicos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico. AP. 70228, CP. 04510, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - Francisco E López-Salas
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, México. AP. 70228, CP. 04510, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Zavala
- Unidad de Microscopia Electrónica, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Axel Luviano
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiologia Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Olvera
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Octavio T Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 62210, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico
| | - Mauricio A Trujillo-Roldán
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, México. AP. 70228, CP. 04510, México, D.F, Mexico.
- Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Km 107 Carretera, 22860, Tijuana-Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
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21
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Biskupek I, Gieldon A. Two-Stage Recognition Mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:679. [PMID: 38203850 PMCID: PMC10779479 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, commonly known as COVID-19, occurred in 2019. It is a highly contagious illness with effects ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. It is also one of the best-known pathogens since more than 200,000 scientific papers occurred in the last few years. With the publication of the SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2-CTD) spike (S) protein in a complex with human ACE2 (hACE2) (PDB (6LZG)), the molecular analysis of one of the most crucial steps on the infection pathway was possible. The aim of this manuscript is to simulate the most widely spread mutants of SARS-CoV-2, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron, and the first recognized variant (natural wild type). With the wide search of the hypersurface of the potential energy performed using the UNRES force field, the intermediate state of the ACE2-RBD complex was found. R403, K/N/T417, L455, F486, Y489, F495, Y501, and Y505 played a crucial role in the protein recognition mechanism. The intermediate state cannot be very stable since it will prevent the infection cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Artur Gieldon
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland;
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22
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Malewana RD, Stalls V, May A, Lu X, Martinez DR, Schäfer A, Li D, Barr M, Sutherland LL, Lee E, Parks R, Beck WE, Newman A, Bock KW, Minai M, Nagata BM, DeMarco CT, Denny TN, Oguin TH, Rountree W, Wang Y, Mansouri K, Edwards RJ, Sempowski GD, Eaton A, Muramatsu H, Henderson R, Tam Y, Barbosa C, Tang J, Cain DW, Santra S, Moore IN, Andersen H, Lewis MG, Golding H, Seder R, Khurana S, Montefiori DC, Pardi N, Weissman D, Baric RS, Acharya P, Haynes BF, Saunders KO. Broadly neutralizing antibody induction by non-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spike mRNA vaccination in nonhuman primates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.18.572191. [PMID: 38187726 PMCID: PMC10769253 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.18.572191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Immunization with mRNA or viral vectors encoding spike with diproline substitutions (S-2P) has provided protective immunity against severe COVID-19 disease. How immunization with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike elicits neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against difficult-to-neutralize variants of concern (VOCs) remains an area of great interest. Here, we compare immunization of macaques with mRNA vaccines expressing ancestral spike either including or lacking diproline substitutions, and show the diproline substitutions were not required for protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge or induction of broadly neutralizing B cell lineages. One group of nAbs elicited by the ancestral spike lacking diproline substitutions targeted the outer face of the receptor binding domain (RBD), neutralized all tested SARS-CoV-2 VOCs including Omicron XBB.1.5, but lacked cross-Sarbecovirus neutralization. Structural analysis showed that the macaque broad SARS-CoV-2 VOC nAbs bound to the same epitope as a human broad SARS-CoV-2 VOC nAb, DH1193. Vaccine-induced antibodies that targeted the RBD inner face neutralized multiple Sarbecoviruses, protected mice from bat CoV RsSHC014 challenge, but lacked Omicron variant neutralization. Thus, ancestral SARS-CoV-2 spike lacking proline substitutions encoded by nucleoside-modified mRNA can induce B cell lineages binding to distinct RBD sites that either broadly neutralize animal and human Sarbecoviruses or recent Omicron VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Dilshan Malewana
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Victoria Stalls
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Aaron May
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Xiaozhi Lu
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - David R. Martinez
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale Center for Infection and Immunity, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alexandra Schäfer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dapeng Li
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Maggie Barr
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Laura L. Sutherland
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Esther Lee
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Robert Parks
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Whitney Edwards Beck
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Amanda Newman
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kevin W. Bock
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Mahnaz Minai
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Bianca M. Nagata
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - C. Todd DeMarco
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas N. Denny
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas H. Oguin
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wes Rountree
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yunfei Wang
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Katayoun Mansouri
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Robert J. Edwards
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gregory D. Sempowski
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Amanda Eaton
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rory Henderson
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, LLC, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Juanjie Tang
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20871, USA
| | - Derek W. Cain
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sampa Santra
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ian N. Moore
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | | | | | - Hana Golding
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20871, USA
| | - Robert Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Surender Khurana
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20871, USA
| | - David C. Montefiori
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ralph S. Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Priyamvada Acharya
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Barton F. Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kevin O. Saunders
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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23
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Baboo S, Diedrich JK, Torres JL, Copps J, Singh B, Garrett PT, Ward AB, Paulson JC, Yates JR. Evolving spike-protein N-glycosylation in SARS-CoV-2 variants. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.08.539897. [PMID: 37214937 PMCID: PMC10197516 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.08.539897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Since >3 years, SARS-CoV-2 has plunged humans into a colossal pandemic. Henceforth, multiple waves of infection have swept through the human population, led by variants that were able to partially evade acquired immunity. The co-evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants with human immunity provides an excellent opportunity to study the interaction between viral pathogens and their human hosts. The heavily N-glycosylated spike-protein of SARS-CoV-2 plays a pivotal role in initiating infection and is the target for host immune-response, both of which are impacted by host-installed N-glycans. Using highly-sensitive DeGlyPHER approach, we compared the N-glycan landscape on spikes of the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 strain to seven WHO-defined variants of concern/interest, using recombinantly expressed, soluble spike-protein trimers, sharing same stabilizing-mutations. We found that N-glycan processing is conserved at most sites. However, in multiple variants, processing of N-glycans from high mannose- to complex-type is reduced at sites N165, N343 and N616, implicated in spike-protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabyasachi Baboo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Jolene K. Diedrich
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Jonathan L. Torres
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Jeffrey Copps
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Bhavya Singh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Patrick T. Garrett
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Andrew B. Ward
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - James C. Paulson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - John R. Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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24
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. AlphaFold2-Enabled Atomistic Modeling of Epistatic Binding Mechanisms for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Omicron XBB.1.5, EG.5 and FLip Variants: Convergent Evolution Hotspots Cooperate to Control Stability and Conformational Adaptability in Balancing ACE2 Binding and Antibody Resistance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.11.571185. [PMID: 38168257 PMCID: PMC10760024 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.11.571185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we combined AI-based atomistic structural modeling and microsecond molecular simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike complexes with the host receptor ACE2 for XBB.1.5+L455F, XBB.1.5+F456L(EG.5) and XBB.1.5+L455F/F456L (FLip) lineages to examine the mechanisms underlying the role of convergent evolution hotspots in balancing ACE2 binding and antibody evasion. Using the ensemble-based mutational scanning of the spike protein residues and physics-based rigorous computations of binding affinities, we identified binding energy hotspots and characterized molecular basis underlying epistatic couplings between convergent mutational hotspots. Consistent with the experiments, the results revealed the mediating role of Q493 hotspot in synchronization of epistatic couplings between L455F and F456L mutations providing a quantitative insight into the mechanism underlying differences between XBB lineages. Mutational profiling is combined with network-based model of epistatic couplings showing that the Q493, L455 and F456 sites mediate stable communities at the binding interface with ACE2 and can serve as stable mediators of non-additive couplings. Structure-based mutational analysis of Spike protein binding with the class 1 antibodies quantified the critical role of F456L and F486P mutations in eliciting strong immune evasion response. The results of this analysis support a mechanism in which the emergence of EG.5 and FLip variants may have been dictated by leveraging strong epistatic effects between several convergent revolutionary hotspots that provide synergy between the improved ACE2 binding and broad neutralization resistance. This interpretation is consistent with the notion that functionally balanced substitutions which simultaneously optimize immune evasion and high ACE2 affinity may continue to emerge through lineages with beneficial pair or triplet combinations of RBD mutations involving mediators of epistatic couplings and sites in highly adaptable RBD regions.
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25
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Queirós-Reis L, Mesquita JR, Brancale A, Bassetto M. Exploring the Fatty Acid Binding Pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein - Confirmed and Potential Ligands. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7282-7298. [PMID: 37991468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00803] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus responsible for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and the still ongoing and unprecedented global pandemic. The key viral protein for cell infection is the spike glycoprotein, a surface-exposed fusion protein that both recognizes and mediates entry into host cells. Within the spike glycoprotein, a fatty acid binding pocket (FABP) was confirmed, with the crystallization of linoleic acid (LA) occupying a well-defined site. Importantly, when the pocket is occupied by a fatty acid, an inactive conformation is stabilized, and cell recognition is hindered. In this review, we discuss ligands reported so far for this site, correlating their activity predicted through in silico studies with antispike experimental activity, assessed by either binding assays or cell-infection assays. LA was the first confirmed ligand, cocrystallized in a cryo-EM structure of the spike protein, resulting in increased stability of the inactive conformation of the spike protein. The next identified ligand, lifitegrast, was also experimentally confirmed as a ligand with antiviral activity, suggesting the potential for diverse chemical scaffolds to bind this site. Finally, SPC-14 was also confirmed as a ligand, although no inhibition assays were performed. In this review, we identified 20 studies describing small-molecule compounds predicted to bind the pocket in in silico studies and with confirmed binding or in vitro activity, either inhibitory activity against the spike-ACE2 interaction or antiviral activity in cell-based assays. When considering all ligands confirmed with in vitro assays, a good overall occupation of the pocket should be complemented with the ability to make direct interactions, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, with key amino acid residues defining the pocket surface. Among the active compounds, long flexible carbon chains are recurrent, with retinoids capable of binding the FABP, although bulkier systems are also capable of affecting viral fitness. Compounds able to bind this site with high affinity have the potential to stabilize the inactive conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and therefore reduce the virus's ability to infect new cells. Since this pocket is conserved in highly pathogenic human coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, this effect could be exploited for the development of new antiviral agents, with broad-spectrum anticoronavirus activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Queirós-Reis
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrea Brancale
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, 166 28 Praha, Czechia
| | - Marcella Bassetto
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BN, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, U.K
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26
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Yeh YJ, Chao TL, Chang YJ, Chang SY, Lu CH, Chao CH, Su WC, Tseng CP, Lai MM, Cheng JC. Dual Effects of 3- epi-betulin from Daphniphyllum glaucescens in Suppressing SARS-CoV-2-Induced Inflammation and Inhibiting Virus Entry. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17040. [PMID: 38069363 PMCID: PMC10707724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to a protracted global COVID-19 pandemic with significant impacts on public health and global economy. While there are currently available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutics, most of the FDA-approved antiviral agents directly target viral proteins. However, inflammation is the initial immune pathogenesis induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, there is still a need to find additional agents that can control the virus in the early stages of infection to alleviate disease progression for the next pandemic. Here, we find that both the spike protein and its receptor CD147 are crucial for inducing inflammation by SARS-CoV-2 in THP-1 monocytic cells. Moreover, we find that 3-epi-betulin, isolated from Daphniphyllum glaucescens, reduces the level of proinflammatory cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2, consequently resulting in a decreased viral RNA accumulation and plaque formation. In addition, 3-epi-betulin displays a broad-spectrum inhibition of entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Eplison (B.1.429), Gamma (P1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (BA.1). Moreover, 3-epi-betulin potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection with an EC50 of <20 μM in Calu-3 lung epithelial cells. Bioinformatic analysis reveals the chemical interaction between the 3-epi-betulin and the spike protein, along with the critical amino acid residues in the spike protein that contribute to the inhibitory activity of 3-epi-betulin against virus entry. Taken together, our results suggest that 3-epi-betulin exhibits dual effect: it reduces SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation and inhibits virus entry, positioning it as a potential antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Ju Yeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
- Research Center for Emerging Viruses, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Ling Chao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100229, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chang
- The Ph.D. Program of Biotechnology and Biomedical Industry, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Sui-Yuan Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100229, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College Medicine, Taipei 100229, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Lu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hua Chao
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung 4060404, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chi Su
- Research Center for Emerging Viruses, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ping Tseng
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Michael M.C. Lai
- Research Center for Emerging Viruses, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Chien Cheng
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
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27
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Kim DG, Kim U, Park IH, Ryu B, Yoo Y, Cha JS, Yoon GY, Kim SH, Oh H, Seo JY, Nam KT, Seong JK, Shin JS, Cho HS, Kim HS. A bivalent form of a RBD-specific synthetic antibody effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antiviral Res 2023; 220:105738. [PMID: 37944822 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is severely impacting the world, and tremendous efforts have been made to deal with it. Despite many advances in vaccines and therapeutics, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants remains an intractable challenge. We present a bivalent Receptor Binding Domain (RBD)-specific synthetic antibody, specific for the RBD of wild-type (lineage A), developed from a non-antibody protein scaffold composed of LRR (Leucine-rich repeat) modules through phage display. We further reinforced the unique feature of the synthetic antibody by constructing a tandem dimeric form. The resulting bivalent form showed a broader neutralizing activity against the variants. The in vivo neutralizing efficacy of the bivalent synthetic antibody was confirmed using a human ACE2-expressing mouse model that significantly alleviated viral titer and lung infection. The present approach can be used to develop a synthetic antibody showing a broader neutralizing activity against a multitude of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Gun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Uijin Kim
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - In Ho Park
- Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Bumhan Ryu
- Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34126, South Korea
| | - Youngki Yoo
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jeong Seok Cha
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Ga-Yeon Yoon
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hee Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Heeju Oh
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jun-Young Seo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Ki Taek Nam
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Je Kyung Seong
- Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Jeon-Soo Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
| | - Hyun-Soo Cho
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
| | - Hak-Sung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
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28
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Marković V, Shaik JB, Ożga K, Ciesiołkiewicz A, Lizandra Perez J, Rudzińska-Szostak E, Berlicki Ł. Peptide foldamer-based inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein-human ACE2 interaction. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2244693. [PMID: 37605435 PMCID: PMC10446788 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2244693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into a human host cell begins with the interaction between the viral spike protein (S protein) and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Therefore, a possible strategy for the treatment of this infection is based on inhibiting the interaction of the two abovementioned proteins. Compounds that bind to the SARS-CoV-2 S protein at the interface with the alpha-1/alpha-2 helices of ACE2 PD Subdomain I are of particular interest. We present a stepwise optimisation of helical peptide foldamers containing trans-2-aminocylopentanecarboxylic acid residues as the folding-inducing unit. Four rounds of optimisation led to the discovery of an 18-amino-acid peptide with high affinity for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein (Kd = 650 nM) that inhibits this protein-protein interaction with IC50 = 1.3 µM. Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated the helical conformation of this peptide in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Marković
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jeelan Basha Shaik
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Ożga
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Ciesiołkiewicz
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Juan Lizandra Perez
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ewa Rudzińska-Szostak
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Berlicki
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
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29
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Hsieh HC, Chen CC, Chou PH, Liu WC, Wu SC. Induction of neutralizing antibodies and mucosal IgA through intranasal immunization with the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fused with the type IIb E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin A subunit. Antiviral Res 2023; 220:105752. [PMID: 37949318 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105752] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infections had led to the COVID-19 pandemic which has a significant impact on global public health and the economy. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains the receptor binding domain (RBD) which binds to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. Numerous RBD-based vaccines have been developed and recently focused on the induction of neutralizing antibodies against the immune evasive Omicron BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5 subvariants. In this preclinical study, we reported the use of a direct fusion of the type IIb Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin A subunit with SARS CoV-2 RBD protein (RBD-LTA) as an intranasal vaccine candidate. The results showed that intranasal immunization with the RBD-LTA fusion protein in BALB/c mice elicited potent neutralizing antibodies against the Wuhan-Hu-1 and several SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as the production of IgA antibodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs). Furthermore, the heterologous RBD representing the same strains used in the bivalent mRNA vaccine were used as a second-dose RBD-LTA/RBD protein booster after bivalent mRNA vaccination. The results showed that the neutralizing antibody titers elicited by the intranasal bivalent RBD-LTA/RBD protein booster were similar to the intramuscular bivalent mRNA booster, but the RBD-specific IgA titers in sera and BALFs significantly increased. Overall, this preclinical study suggests that the RBD-LTA fusion protein could be a promising candidate as a mucosal booster COVID-19 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-Chin Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Chu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, 30071, Taiwan; Teaching Center of Natural Science, Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Hsinchu, 30401, Taiwan.
| | - Pin-Han Chou
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Chun Liu
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
| | - Suh-Chin Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan; Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan; Adimmune Corporation, Taichung, 42723, Taiwan.
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30
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Raisinghani N, Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. Accurate Characterization of Conformational Ensembles and Binding Mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 and BA.2.86 Spike Protein with the Host Receptor and Distinct Classes of Antibodies Using AlphaFold2-Augmented Integrative Computational Modeling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.18.567697. [PMID: 38045395 PMCID: PMC10690158 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.18.567697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The latest wave SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants displayed a growth advantage and the increased viral fitness through convergent evolution of functional hotspots that work synchronously to balance fitness requirements for productive receptor binding and efficient immune evasion. In this study, we combined AlphaFold2-based structural modeling approaches with all-atom MD simulations and mutational profiling of binding energetics and stability for prediction and comprehensive analysis of the structure, dynamics, and binding of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 spike variant with ACE2 host receptor and distinct classes of antibodies. We adapted several AlphaFold2 approaches to predict both structure and conformational ensembles of the Omicron BA.2.86 spike protein in the complex with the host receptor. The results showed that AlphaFold2-predicted conformational ensemble of the BA.2.86 spike protein complex can accurately capture the main dynamics signatures obtained from microscond molecular dynamics simulations. The ensemble-based dynamic mutational scanning of the receptor binding domain residues in the BA.2 and BA.2.86 spike complexes with ACE2 dissected the role of the BA.2 and BA.2.86 backgrounds in modulating binding free energy changes revealing a group of conserved hydrophobic hotspots and critical variant-specific contributions of the BA.2.86 mutational sites R403K, F486P and R493Q. To examine immune evasion properties of BA.2.86 in atomistic detail, we performed large scale structure-based mutational profiling of the S protein binding interfaces with distinct classes of antibodies that displayed significantly reduced neutralization against BA.2.86 variant. The results quantified specific function of the BA.2.86 mutations to ensure broad resistance against different classes of RBD antibodies. This study revealed the molecular basis of compensatory functional effects of the binding hotspots, showing that BA.2.86 lineage may have primarily evolved to improve immune escape while modulating binding affinity with ACE2 through cooperative effect of R403K, F486P and R493Q mutations. The study supports a hypothesis that the impact of the increased ACE2 binding affinity on viral fitness is more universal and is mediated through cross-talk between convergent mutational hotspots, while the effect of immune evasion could be more variant-dependent.
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31
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Li B, Zhang T, Cao H, Ferro V, Li J, Yu M. Identification of a Pentasaccharide Lead Compound with High Affinity to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein via In Silico Screening. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16115. [PMID: 38003304 PMCID: PMC10671481 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The spike (S) protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is critical to mediate fusion with the host cell membrane through interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Additionally, heparan sulfate (HS) on the host cell surface acts as an attachment factor to facilitate the binding of the S receptor binding domain (RBD) to the ACE2 receptor. Aiming at interfering with the HS-RBD interaction to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection, we have established a pentasaccharide library composed of 14,112 compounds covering the possible sulfate substitutions on the three sugar units (GlcA, IdoA, and GlcN) of HS. The library was used for virtual screening against RBD domains of SARS-CoV-2. Molecular modeling was carried out to evaluate the potential antiviral properties of the top-hit pentasaccharide focusing on the interactive regions around the interface of RBD-HS-ACE2. The lead pentasaccharide with the highest affinity for RBD was analyzed via drug-likeness calculations, showing better predicted druggable profiles than those currently reported for RBD-binding HS mimetics. The results provide significant information for the development of HS-mimetics as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binjie Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
| | - Tianji Zhang
- Division of Chemistry and Analytical Science, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China;
| | - Hui Cao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
| | - Vito Ferro
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia;
| | - Jinping Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mingjia Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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32
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Sahanic S, Hilbe R, Dünser C, Tymoszuk P, Löffler-Ragg J, Rieder D, Trajanoski Z, Krogsdam A, Demetz E, Yurchenko M, Fischer C, Schirmer M, Theurl M, Lener D, Hirsch J, Holfeld J, Gollmann-Tepeköylü C, Zinner CP, Tzankov A, Zhang SY, Casanova JL, Posch W, Wilflingseder D, Weiss G, Tancevski I. SARS-CoV-2 activates the TLR4/MyD88 pathway in human macrophages: A possible correlation with strong pro-inflammatory responses in severe COVID-19. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21893. [PMID: 38034686 PMCID: PMC10686889 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in the immunologic response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Exaggerated inflammatory response of innate immune cells, however, may drive morbidity and death in Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Objective We investigated the engagement of SARS-CoV-2 with TLR4 in order to better understand how to tackle hyperinflammation in COVID-19. Methods We combined RNA-sequencing data of human lung tissue and of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells derived from COVID-19 patients with functional studies in human macrophages using SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and viable SARS-CoV-2. Pharmacological inhibitors as well as gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 were used to delineate the signalling pathways involved. Results We found TLR4 to be the most abundantly upregulated TLR in human lung tissue irrespective of the underlying pathology. Accordingly, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells from patients with severe COVID-19 showed an NF-κB-pathway dominated immune response, whereas they were mostly defined by type I interferon signalling in moderate COVID-19. Mechanistically, we found the Spike ectodomain, but not receptor binding domain monomer to induce TLR4-dependent inflammation in human macrophages. By using pharmacological inhibitors as well as CRISPR/Cas9 deleted macrophages, we identify SARS-CoV-2 to engage canonical TLR4-MyD88 signalling. Importantly, we demonstrate that TLR4 blockage prevents exaggerated inflammatory responses in human macrophages infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including immune escape variants B.1.1.7.-E484K and B.1.1.529 (omicron). Conclusion Our study critically extends the current knowledge on TLR-mediated hyperinflammatory responses to SARS-CoV-2 in human macrophages, paving the way for novel approaches to tackle severe COVID-19. Take-home message Our study combining human lung transcriptomics with functional studies in human macrophages clearly supports the design and development of TLR4 - directed therapeutics to mitigate hyperinflammation in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Sahanic
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Richard Hilbe
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christina Dünser
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Piotr Tymoszuk
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Judith Löffler-Ragg
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Rieder
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anne Krogsdam
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Egon Demetz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Yurchenko
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- The Central Norway Regional Health Authority, St. Olavs Hospital HF, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christine Fischer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Schirmer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Theurl
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Lener
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jakob Hirsch
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Holfeld
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Carl P. Zinner
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shen-Ying Zhang
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
- University of Paris, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jean-Laurent Casanova
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM U1163, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Paris, France
- University of Paris, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Wilfried Posch
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Guenter Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ivan Tancevski
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Zibat A, Zhang X, Dickmanns A, Stegmann KM, Dobbelstein AW, Alachram H, Soliwoda R, Salinas G, Groß U, Görlich D, Kschischo M, Wollnik B, Dobbelstein M. N4-hydroxycytidine, the active compound of Molnupiravir, promotes SARS-CoV-2 mutagenesis and escape from a neutralizing nanobody. iScience 2023; 26:107786. [PMID: 37731621 PMCID: PMC10507161 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), the active compound of the drug Molnupiravir, is incorporated into SARS-CoV-2 RNA, causing false base pairing. The desired result is an "error catastrophe," but this bears the risk of mutated virus progeny. To address this experimentally, we propagated the initial SARS-CoV-2 strain in the presence of NHC. Deep sequencing revealed numerous NHC-induced mutations and host-cell-adapted virus variants. The presence of the neutralizing nanobody Re5D06 selected for immune escape mutations, in particular p.E484K and p.F490S, which are key mutations of the Beta/Gamma and Omicron-XBB strains, respectively. With NHC treatment, nanobody resistance occurred two passages earlier than without. Thus, within the limitations of this purely in vitro study, we conclude that the combined action of Molnupiravir and a spike-neutralizing antagonist leads to the rapid emergence of escape mutants. We propose caution use and supervision when using Molnupiravir, especially when patients are still at risk of spreading virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Zibat
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhang
- Department of Mathematics and Technology, University of Applied Sciences Koblenz, 53424 Remagen, Germany
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Antje Dickmanns
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kim M. Stegmann
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Halima Alachram
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Soliwoda
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- NGS Integrative Genomics Core Unit, Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uwe Groß
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Görlich
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maik Kschischo
- Department of Mathematics and Technology, University of Applied Sciences Koblenz, 53424 Remagen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wollnik
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Dobbelstein
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Matveev VA, Mihelic EZ, Benko E, Budylowski P, Grocott S, Lee T, Korosec CS, Colwill K, Stephenson H, Law R, Ward LA, Sheikh-Mohamed S, Mailhot G, Delgado-Brand M, Pasculescu A, Wang JH, Qi F, Tursun T, Kardava L, Chau S, Samaan P, Imran A, Copertino DC, Chao G, Choi Y, Reinhard RJ, Kaul R, Heffernan JM, Jones RB, Chun TW, Moir S, Singer J, Gommerman J, Gingras AC, Kovacs C, Ostrowski M. Immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines and their effect on HIV reservoir in older people with HIV. iScience 2023; 26:107915. [PMID: 37790281 PMCID: PMC10542941 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Older individuals and people with HIV (PWH) were prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination, yet comprehensive studies of the immunogenicity of these vaccines and their effects on HIV reservoirs are not available. Our study on 68 PWH and 23 HIV-negative participants aged 55 and older post-three vaccine doses showed equally strong anti-spike IgG responses in serum and saliva through week 48 from baseline, while PWH salivary IgA responses were low. PWH had diminished live-virus neutralization responses after two vaccine doses, which were 'rescued' post-booster. Spike-specific T cell immunity was enhanced in PWH with normal CD4+ T cell count, suggesting Th1 imprinting. The frequency of detectable HIV viremia increased post-vaccination, but vaccines did not affect the size of the HIV reservoir in most PWH, except those with low-level viremia. Thus, older PWH require three doses of COVID-19 vaccine for maximum protection, while individuals with unsuppressed viremia should be monitored for adverse reactions from HIV reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaliy A. Matveev
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Erik Z. Mihelic
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Erika Benko
- Maple Leaf Medical Clinic, Toronto ON M5G 1K2, Canada
| | - Patrick Budylowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sebastian Grocott
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Terry Lee
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS), Vancouver BC V6Z IY6, Canada
| | - Chapin S. Korosec
- Modelling Infection and Immunity Lab, Mathematics and Statistics Department, York University, Toronto ON M3J 1P3, Canada
- Centre for Disease Modelling, Mathematics and Statistics Department, York University, Toronto ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Karen Colwill
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Henry Stephenson
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal QC H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Ryan Law
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Lesley A. Ward
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | - Geneviève Mailhot
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | | | - Adrian Pasculescu
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Jenny H. Wang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Freda Qi
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Tulunay Tursun
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto ON M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Lela Kardava
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Serena Chau
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Philip Samaan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Annam Imran
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Dennis C. Copertino
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gary Chao
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yoojin Choi
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Robert J. Reinhard
- Independent Public/Global Health Consultant, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA
| | - Rupert Kaul
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jane M. Heffernan
- Modelling Infection and Immunity Lab, Mathematics and Statistics Department, York University, Toronto ON M3J 1P3, Canada
- Centre for Disease Modelling, Mathematics and Statistics Department, York University, Toronto ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - R. Brad Jones
- Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Tae-Wook Chun
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Susan Moir
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joel Singer
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS), Vancouver BC V6Z IY6, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jennifer Gommerman
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto ON M5G 1X5, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Colin Kovacs
- Maple Leaf Medical Clinic, Toronto ON M5G 1K2, Canada
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mario Ostrowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto ON M5B 1W8, Canada
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Hueting D, Schriever K, Sun R, Vlachiotis S, Zuo F, Du L, Persson H, Hofström C, Ohlin M, Walldén K, Buggert M, Hammarström L, Marcotte H, Pan-Hammarström Q, Andréll J, Syrén PO. Design, structure and plasma binding of ancestral β-CoV scaffold antigens. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6527. [PMID: 37845250 PMCID: PMC10579346 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the application of ancestral sequence reconstruction on coronavirus spike protein, resulting in stable and highly soluble ancestral scaffold antigens (AnSAs). The AnSAs interact with plasma of patients recovered from COVID-19 but do not bind to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Cryo-EM analysis of the AnSAs yield high resolution structures (2.6-2.8 Å) indicating a closed pre-fusion conformation in which all three receptor-binding domains (RBDs) are facing downwards. The structures reveal an intricate hydrogen-bonding network mediated by well-resolved loops, both within and across monomers, tethering the N-terminal domain and RBD together. We show that AnSA-5 can induce and boost a broad-spectrum immune response against the wild-type RBD as well as circulating variants of concern in an immune organoid model derived from tonsils. Finally, we highlight how AnSAs are potent scaffolds by replacing the ancestral RBD with the wild-type sequence, which restores ACE2 binding and increases the interaction with convalescent plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hueting
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karen Schriever
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rui Sun
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stelios Vlachiotis
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fanglei Zuo
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Likun Du
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Persson
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Camilla Hofström
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mats Ohlin
- Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Walldén
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Buggert
- Center for Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lennart Hammarström
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Harold Marcotte
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiang Pan-Hammarström
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juni Andréll
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Per-Olof Syrén
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. Comparative Analysis of Conformational Dynamics and Systematic Characterization of Cryptic Pockets in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 Spike Complexes with the ACE2 Host Receptor: Confluence of Binding and Structural Plasticity in Mediating Networks of Conserved Allosteric Sites. Viruses 2023; 15:2073. [PMID: 37896850 PMCID: PMC10612107 DOI: 10.3390/v15102073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current study, we explore coarse-grained simulations and atomistic molecular dynamics together with binding energetics scanning and cryptic pocket detection in a comparative examination of conformational landscapes and systematic characterization of allosteric binding sites in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 spike full-length trimer complexes with the host receptor ACE2. Microsecond simulations, Markov state models and mutational scanning of binding energies of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 and BA.2.75 receptor binding domain complexes revealed the increased thermodynamic stabilization of the BA.2.75 variant and significant dynamic differences between these Omicron variants. Molecular simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike full-length trimer complexes with the ACE2 receptor complemented atomistic studies and enabled an in-depth analysis of mutational and binding effects on conformational dynamic and functional adaptability of the Omicron variants. Despite considerable structural similarities, Omicron variants BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 can induce unique conformational dynamic signatures and specific distributions of the conformational states. Using conformational ensembles of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike trimer complexes with ACE2, we conducted a comprehensive cryptic pocket screening to examine the role of Omicron mutations and ACE2 binding on the distribution and functional mechanisms of the emerging allosteric binding sites. This analysis captured all experimentally known allosteric sites and discovered networks of inter-connected and functionally relevant allosteric sites that are governed by variant-sensitive conformational adaptability of the SARS-CoV-2 spike structures. The results detailed how ACE2 binding and Omicron mutations in the BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 spike complexes modulate the distribution of conserved and druggable allosteric pockets harboring functionally important regions. The results are significant for understanding the functional roles of druggable cryptic pockets that can be used for allostery-mediated therapeutic intervention targeting conformational states of the Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Sian Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275, USA; (S.X.); (P.T.)
| | - Peng Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275, USA; (S.X.); (P.T.)
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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Bodakuntla S, Kuhn CC, Biertümpfel C, Mizuno N. Cryo-electron microscopy in the fight against COVID-19-mechanism of virus entry. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1252529. [PMID: 37867557 PMCID: PMC10587472 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1252529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and electron tomography (cryo-ET) have become a critical tool for studying viral particles. Cryo-EM has enhanced our understanding of viral assembly and replication processes at a molecular resolution. Meanwhile, in situ cryo-ET has been used to investigate how viruses attach to and invade host cells. These advances have significantly contributed to our knowledge of viral biology. Particularly, prompt elucidations of structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its variants have directly impacted the development of vaccines and therapeutic measures. This review discusses the progress made by cryo-EM based technologies in comprehending the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2), the virus responsible for the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with focus on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the mechanisms of the virus entry and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Bodakuntla
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Christopher Cyrus Kuhn
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Christian Biertümpfel
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Naoko Mizuno
- Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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38
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Guruprasad L, Naresh GKRS, Boggarapu G. Taking stock of the mutations in human SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins: From early days to nearly the end of COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Res Struct Biol 2023; 6:100107. [PMID: 37841365 PMCID: PMC10569959 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2023.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causative agent of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in several deaths and severe economic losses throughout the world. The spike protein in the virus binds to the human ACE-2 receptor in order to mediate virus-host interactions required for the viral transmission. Since first report of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence during December 2019 from patient infected with the virus in Wuhan, China, the virus has undergone rapid changes leading to mutations comprising substitutions, deletions and insertions in the sequence resulting in several variants of the virus that were more virulent and transmissible or less virulent but highly transmissible. The timely intervention with COVID-19 vaccines proved to be effective in controlling the number of infections. However, rapid mutations in the virus led to the lowering of vaccine efficacies being administered to people. In May 2023, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 was not a public health emergency of international concern anymore. In order to take stock of mutations in the virus from early days to nearly end of COVID-19 pandemic, sequence analyses of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins available in the NCBI Virus database was carried out. The mutations and invariant residues in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences relative to the reference sequence were analysed. The location of the invariant residues and residues at interface of the protein chains in the spike protein trimer complex structure were examined. A total of 111,298 non-redundant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences representing 2,345,585 spike proteins in the NCBI Virus database showed mutations at 1252 of the 1273 positions in the amino acid sequence. The mutations represented 6129 different mutation types in the sequences analysed. Besides, some sequences also contained insertion mutations. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequences represented 1435 lineages. In addition, several spike protein sequences with mutations whose lineages were either 'not classified' or were 'unclassifiable' indicated the virus could still be evolving.
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Sinha A, Roy S. Intrinsically Disordered Regions Function as a Cervical Collar to Remotely Regulate the Nodding Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Prefusion Spike Heads. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8393-8405. [PMID: 37738458 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05338] [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: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike heads (receptor binding domains, RBDs) frequently nod down and up to interact with host cell receptors. As the spike protein is a trimeric unit of significant size, to understand its large-scale structural dynamics associated with the nodding mechanism and the mutational impact on the same, we develop a topological symmetry-information-loaded coarse-grained structure-based model of a spike trimer using recent cryo-EM structural data. Our study reveals the control of two distant intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), namely, 630 and FPPR loops, over the nodding dynamics of spike heads. We find that the order-disorder transition of IDRs becomes more evident in the variants of concern (VOCs) that are associated with the characteristic mutation, D614G, in the proximity of these IDRs. In some VOCs, the two other mutations A570D and S982A also show an integral effect. The driver mutation D614G instigates a salt-bridge disruption, altering the order-disorder dynamics of both 630 and FPPR loops and their interaction with the C-terminal domains (CTD1/CTD2). This altered connectivity in these mutants allows the two IDRs to act collectively as a "cervical collar" for the RBD, supporting various spike head postures, consistent with cryo-EM results available for specific cases. The IDRs' control over the spike structure and dynamics presents an exciting opportunity where they can be targeted as remote operational switches to artificially maneuver the nod for effective therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushree Sinha
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
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Shikha S, Jogi MK, Jha R, Kumar RA, Sah T, Singh P, Sagar R, Kumar A, Marwal R, Ponnusamy K, Agarwal SM, Kumar RS, Arif N, Bharadwaj M, Singh S, Kumar P. Genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants in Delhi reveals alterations in immunogenic regions in spike glycoprotein. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209513. [PMID: 37849762 PMCID: PMC10577267 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants keep accumulating a large number of mutations in the spike (S) protein, which contributes to greater transmissibility and a rapid rise to dominance within populations. The identification of mutations and their affinity to the cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor and immune evasion in the Delhi NCR region was under-acknowledged. The study identifies some mutations (Y505 reversion, G339H, and R346T/N) in genomes from Delhi, India, and their probable implications for altering the immune response and binding affinity for ACE-2. The spike mutations have influenced the neutralizing activity of antibodies against the omicron variant, which shows partial immune escape. However, researchers are currently exploring various mitigation strategies to tackle the potential decline in efficacy or effectiveness against existing and future variants of SARS-CoV-2. These strategies include modifying vaccines to target specific variants, such as the omicron variant, developing multivalent vaccine formulations, and exploring alternative delivery methods. To address this, it is also necessary to understand the impact of these mutations from a different perspective, especially in terms of alterations in antigenic determinants. In this study, we have done whole genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 samples from Delhi, NCR, and analyzed the spike's mutation with an emphasis on antigenic alterations. The impact of mutation in terms of epitope formation, loss/gain of efficiency, and interaction of epitopes with antibodies has been studied. Some of the mutations or variant genomes seem to be the progenitors of the upcoming variants in India. Our analyses suggested that weakening interactions with antibodies may lead to immune resistance in the circulating genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sristy Shikha
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Jogi
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Ruchika Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, India
| | - Rana Amit Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Anugrah Narayan College, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Tathagat Sah
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Beant College of Engineering and Technology, Gurdaspur, Punjab, India
| | - Pushpendra Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India
| | - Ritu Sagar
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India
| | - Anuj Kumar
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
| | - Robin Marwal
- Biotechnology Division, National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi, India
| | | | - Subhash Mohan Agarwal
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
| | - R. Suresh Kumar
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
| | - Nazneen Arif
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
| | - Mausumi Bharadwaj
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
| | - Shalini Singh
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
| | - Pramod Kumar
- Division of Molecular Biology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), Noida, India
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Stuible M, Schrag JD, Sheff J, Zoubchenok D, Lord-Dufour S, Cass B, L'Abbé D, Pelletier A, Rossotti MA, Tanha J, Gervais C, Maurice R, El Bakkouri M, Acchione M, Durocher Y. Influence of variant-specific mutations, temperature and pH on conformations of a large set of SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer vaccine antigen candidates. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16498. [PMID: 37779126 PMCID: PMC10543594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43661-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccines continue to be the focus of intense clinical development worldwide. Protein antigens in these vaccines most commonly consist of the spike ectodomain fused to a heterologous trimerization sequence, designed to mimic the compact, prefusion conformation of the spike on the virus surface. Since 2020, we have produced dozens of such constructs in CHO cells, consisting of spike variants with different mutations fused to different trimerization sequences. This set of constructs displayed notable conformational heterogeneity, with two distinct trimer species consistently detected by analytical size exclusion chromatography. A recent report showed that spike ectodomain fusion constructs can adopt an alternative trimer conformation consisting of loosely associated ectodomain protomers. Here, we applied multiple biophysical and immunological techniques to demonstrate that this alternative conformation is formed to a significant extent by several SARS-CoV-2 variant spike proteins. We have also examined the influence of temperature and pH, which can induce inter-conversion of the two forms. The substantial structural differences between these trimer types may impact their performance as vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Stuible
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Joseph D Schrag
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Joey Sheff
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Daria Zoubchenok
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Simon Lord-Dufour
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Brian Cass
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Denis L'Abbé
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Alex Pelletier
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Martin A Rossotti
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jamshid Tanha
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Christian Gervais
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Roger Maurice
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Majida El Bakkouri
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Mauro Acchione
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada.
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Pondé RADA. Physicochemical effects of emerging exchanges on the spike protein's RBM of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.1-BA.5 and its influence on the biological properties and attributes developed by these subvariants. Virology 2023; 587:109850. [PMID: 37562286 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.109850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Emerging in South Africa, SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was marked by the expression of an exaggerated number of mutations throughout its genome and by the emergence of subvariants, whose attributes developed by them have been associated with amino acid exchanges that occur mainly in the RBM region of the spike protein. The RBM comprises a region within the RBD and is directly involved in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interaction with the host cell ACE2 receptor, during the infection mechanism and viral transmission. Defined as the region from aa 437 to aa 508, there are several residues in certain positions that interact directly with the human ACE-2 receptor during these processes. The occurrence of amino acid exchanges in these positions causes physicochemical alterations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which confer additional advantages and attributes to the agent. In addition, these exchanges serve as a basis for the characterization of new variants and subvariants of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, the amino acid exchanges that have occurred in the RBM of the subvariants BA.1 to BA.5 of SARS-CoV-2 that emerged from the Omicron are described. The physicochemical effects caused by them on spike protein are also described, as well as their influence on the biological properties and attributes developed by the subvariants BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robério Amorim de Almeida Pondé
- Secretaria de Estado da Saúde -SES/Superintendência de Vigilância em Saúde-SUVISA/GO, Gerência de Vigilância Epidemiológica de Doenças Transmissíveis-GVEDT/Coordenação de Análises e Pesquisas-CAP, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Laboratory of Human Virology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Xu C, Han W, Cong Y. Cryo-EM and cryo-ET of the spike, virion, and antibody neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 and VOCs. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 82:102664. [PMID: 37544111 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) have been demonstrated to be powerful and efficient tools in structural studies of distinct conformational states of the trimeric spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and the VOCs as well as the intact virion. Cryo-EM has also contributed greatly to revealing the molecular basis of receptor recognition and antibody neutralization of the S trimer. Additionally, it has provided structural insights into the enhanced transformation and immune evasion of the VOCs, thus facilitating antiviral antibody and drug discovery. In this review, we summarize the contributions of cryo-EM and cryo-ET in revealing the structures of SARS-CoV-2 S trimer and intact virion and the mechanisms of receptor binding and antibody neutralization. We also highlight their prospective utilities in the development of vaccines and future therapeutics against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other epidemic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenyu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yao Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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Ahn H, Calderon BM, Fan X, Gao Y, Horgan NL, Jiang N, Blohm DS, Hossain J, Rayyan NWK, Osman SH, Lin X, Currier M, Steel J, Wentworth DE, Zhou B, Liang B. Structural basis of the American mink ACE2 binding by Y453F trimeric spike glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29163. [PMID: 37842796 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters the host cell by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). While evolutionarily conserved, ACE2 receptors differ across various species and differential interactions with Spike (S) glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2 viruses impact species specificity. Reverse zoonoses led to SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on multiple American mink (Mustela vison) farms during the pandemic and gave rise to mink-associated S substitutions known for transmissibility between mink and zoonotic transmission to humans. In this study, we used bio-layer interferometry (BLI) to discern the differences in binding affinity between multiple human and mink-derived S glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2 and their respective ACE2 receptors. Further, we conducted a structural analysis of a mink variant S glycoprotein and American mink ACE2 (mvACE2) using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), revealing four distinct conformations. We discovered a novel intermediary conformation where the mvACE2 receptor is bound to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S glycoprotein in a "down" position, approximately 34° lower than previously reported "up" RBD. Finally, we compared residue interactions in the S-ACE2 complex interface of S glycoprotein conformations with varying RBD orientations. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjun Ahn
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Brenda M Calderon
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Fan
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yunrong Gao
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Natalie L Horgan
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nannan Jiang
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dylan S Blohm
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jaber Hossain
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nicole Wedad K Rayyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah H Osman
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia, USA
| | - Xudong Lin
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Michael Currier
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - John Steel
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David E Wentworth
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bin Zhou
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bo Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Wu M, Li W, Lin S, Fan J, Cui L, Xiang Y, Li K, Tang L, Duan Y, Chen Z, Yang F, Shui W, Lu G, Lai Y. A Suitable Membrane Distance Regulated by the RBD_ACE2 Interaction is Critical for SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Mediated Viral Invasion. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301478. [PMID: 37590389 PMCID: PMC10558659 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike recognizing the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) initiates membrane fusion between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and cell membrane. Although the structure of the RBD_ACE2 complex has been well studied, its functional mechanism in membrane fusion is still not fully understood. Here, using an in vitro cell-vesicle content-mixing assay, it is found that the cleavage at the S2' site by thrombin (Thr) protease strongly accelerates membrane fusion, compared to that of cleavage at the S1/S2 site by PreScission (3C) protease. Moreover, mutations at the RBD_ACE2 interface resulted in a positive correlation between binding affinity and fusion probability. In both the cell-vesicle and cell-cell fusion assays, by crosslinking two membranes via the neutravidin (NTV)_biotin interaction or complementary DNA strands, it is found that spike drives membrane fusion in the absence of ACE2, and a suitable distance between two membranes is critical for spike-mediated membrane fusion. Finally, unsuitable membrane crosslinkers significantly inhibited the fusion probability in the presence of ACE2. Taken together, the results suggest that the RBD_ACE2 complex may act as a crosslinker to bridge the viral and cell membranes at a suitable distance, which is critical, but also substitutable for spike-mediated SARS-CoV-2 entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdan Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Wei Li
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Sheng Lin
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Jiaqi Fan
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Lele Cui
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Yijuan Xiang
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Kaiyu Li
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Linwei Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Yanping Duan
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Zimin Chen
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Fanli Yang
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Weiwei Shui
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Guangwen Lu
- West China Hospital Emergency DepartmentState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Ying Lai
- National Clinical Research Center for GeriatricsState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
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Abstract
There are at least 21 families of enveloped viruses that infect mammals, and many contain members of high concern for global human health. All enveloped viruses have a dedicated fusion protein or fusion complex that enacts the critical genome-releasing membrane fusion event that is essential before viral replication within the host cell interior can begin. Because all enveloped viruses enter cells by fusion, it behooves us to know how viral fusion proteins function. Viral fusion proteins are also major targets of neutralizing antibodies, and hence they serve as key vaccine immunogens. Here we review current concepts about viral membrane fusion proteins focusing on how they are triggered, structural intermediates between pre- and postfusion forms, and their interplay with the lipid bilayers they engage. We also discuss cellular and therapeutic interventions that thwart virus-cell membrane fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M White
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA;
| | - Amanda E Ward
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Laura Odongo
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Lukas K Tamm
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Verkhivker G, Alshahrani M, Gupta G. Exploring Conformational Landscapes and Cryptic Binding Pockets in Distinct Functional States of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 Trimers: Mutation-Induced Modulation of Protein Dynamics and Network-Guided Prediction of Variant-Specific Allosteric Binding Sites. Viruses 2023; 15:2009. [PMID: 37896786 PMCID: PMC10610873 DOI: 10.3390/v15102009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A significant body of experimental structures of SARS-CoV-2 spike trimers for the BA.1 and BA.2 variants revealed a considerable plasticity of the spike protein and the emergence of druggable binding pockets. Understanding the interplay of conformational dynamics changes induced by the Omicron variants and the identification of cryptic dynamic binding pockets in the S protein is of paramount importance as exploring broad-spectrum antiviral agents to combat the emerging variants is imperative. In the current study, we explore conformational landscapes and characterize the universe of binding pockets in multiple open and closed functional spike states of the BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron variants. By using a combination of atomistic simulations, a dynamics network analysis, and an allostery-guided network screening of binding pockets in the conformational ensembles of the BA.1 and BA.2 spike conformations, we identified all experimentally known allosteric sites and discovered significant variant-specific differences in the distribution of binding sites in the BA.1 and BA.2 trimers. This study provided a structural characterization of the predicted cryptic pockets and captured the experimentally known allosteric sites, revealing the critical role of conformational plasticity in modulating the distribution and cross-talk between functional binding sites. We found that mutational and dynamic changes in the BA.1 variant can induce the remodeling and stabilization of a known druggable pocket in the N-terminal domain, while this pocket is drastically altered and may no longer be available for ligand binding in the BA.2 variant. Our results predicted the experimentally known allosteric site in the receptor-binding domain that remains stable and ranks as the most favorable site in the conformational ensembles of the BA.2 variant but could become fragmented and less probable in BA.1 conformations. We also uncovered several cryptic pockets formed at the inter-domain and inter-protomer interface, including functional regions of the S2 subunit and stem helix region, which are consistent with the known role of pocket residues in modulating conformational transitions and antibody recognition. The results of this study are particularly significant for understanding the dynamic and network features of the universe of available binding pockets in spike proteins, as well as the effects of the Omicron-variant-specific modulation of preferential druggable pockets. The exploration of predicted druggable sites can present a new and previously underappreciated opportunity for therapeutic interventions for Omicron variants through the conformation-selective and variant-specific targeting of functional sites involved in allosteric changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
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Nguyen H, Nguyen HL, Lan PD, Thai NQ, Sikora M, Li MS. Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with host cells and antibodies: experiment and simulation. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:6497-6553. [PMID: 37650302 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01170g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic announced by WHO in March 2020. Through unprecedented scientific effort, several vaccines, drugs and antibodies have been developed, saving millions of lives, but the fight against COVID-19 continues as immune escape variants of concern such as Delta and Omicron emerge. To develop more effective treatments and to elucidate the side effects caused by vaccines and therapeutic agents, a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with them and human cells is required. With special interest in computational approaches, we will focus on the structure of SARS-CoV-2 and the interaction of its spike protein with human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) as a prime entry point of the virus into host cells. In addition, other possible viral receptors will be considered. The fusion of viral and human membranes and the interaction of the spike protein with antibodies and nanobodies will be discussed, as well as the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on protein synthesis in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Nguyen
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Hoang Linh Nguyen
- Institute of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Pham Dang Lan
- Life Science Lab, Institute for Computational Science and Technology, Quang Trung Software City, Tan Chanh Hiep Ward, District 12, 729110 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-University of Science, 227, Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, 749000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Quoc Thai
- Dong Thap University, 783 Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 6, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap, Vietnam
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mai Suan Li
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland.
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Shen H, Yang H. Binding of synthetic nanobodies to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain: the importance of salt bridges. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:24129-24142. [PMID: 37655617 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02628k] [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: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In this study, five different SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) models were created based on the crystal structures of RBD complexes with two synthetic nanobodies (Sb16 and Sb45). Microsecond all-atom MD simulations revealed that Sb16 and Sb45 substantially stabilized the flexible RBD loop (residues GLU471-SER494) due to the salt bridges and hydrogen bonding interactions between RBD and the synthetic nanobodies. However, the calculation of binding free energy displayed that Sb45 had a higher binding affinity to RBD than Sb16, in agreement with the experimental result. This is because Sb45 has stronger electrostatic attraction to RBD as compared to Sb16. In particular, the salt bridge GLU484-ARG33 in Sb45-RBD is stronger than the GLU484-LYS32 in Sb16-RBD. Furthermore, by comparing the binding affinity of Sb16 for two RBD mutants (E484K and K417N), we found that E484K mutation substantially reduced the binding affinity to Sb16, and K417N mutation had no significant effect, qualitatively in agreement with experimental studies. According to the binding free energy calculation, the strong electrostatic repulsion between LYS32 and LYS484 caused by E484K mutation destroys the salt bridge between LYS32 and GLU484 in the RBD wild type (WT). In contrast, the binding of the K417N mutant to Sb16 effectively maintains the salt bridge between LYS32 and GLU484. Therefore, our research suggests that the salt bridges between RBD and synthetic nanobodies are crucial for binding synthetic nanobodies to RBD, and a SARS-CoV-2 variant can escape neutralization from nanobodies by creating electrostatic repulsion between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hujun Shen
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Nano-Material Science, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, 550018, China.
| | - Hengxiu Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Nano-Material Science, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, 550018, China.
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Alshahrani M, Gupta G, Xiao S, Tao P, Verkhivker G. Examining Functional Linkages Between Conformational Dynamics, Protein Stability and Evolution of Cryptic Binding Pockets in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Spike Complexes with the ACE2 Host Receptor: Recombinant Omicron Variants Mediate Variability of Conserved Allosteric Sites and Binding Epitopes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.11.557205. [PMID: 37745525 PMCID: PMC10515794 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.11.557205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
In the current study, we explore coarse-grained simulations and atomistic molecular dynamics together with binding energetics scanning and cryptic pocket detection in a comparative examination of conformational landscapes and systematic characterization of allosteric binding sites in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 spike full-length trimer complexes with the host receptor ACE2. Microsecond simulations, Markov state models and mutational scanning of binding energies of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 and BA.2.75 receptor binding domain complexes revealed the increased thermodynamic stabilization of the BA.2.75 variant and significant dynamic differences between these Omicron variants. Molecular simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike full length trimer complexes with the ACE2 receptor complemented atomistic studies and enabled an in-depth analysis of mutational and binding effects on conformational dynamic and functional adaptability of the Omicron variants. Despite considerable structural similarities, Omicron variants BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 can induce unique conformational dynamic signatures and specific distributions of the conformational states. Using conformational ensembles of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike trimer complexes with ACE2, we conducted a comprehensive cryptic pocket screening to examine the role of Omicron mutations and ACE2 binding on the distribution and functional mechanisms of the emerging allosteric binding sites. This analysis captured all experimentally known allosteric sites and discovered networks of inter-connected and functionally relevant allosteric sites that are governed by variant-sensitive conformational adaptability of the SARS-CoV-2 spike structures. The results detailed how ACE2 binding and Omicron mutations in the BA.2, BA.2.75 and XBB.1 spike complexes modulate the distribution of conserved and druggable allosteric pockets harboring functionally important regions. The results of are significant for understanding functional roles of druggable cryptic pockets that can be used for allostery-mediated therapeutic intervention targeting conformational states of the Omicron variants.
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