1
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Deng J, Gong F, Li Y, Tan X, Liu X, Yang S, Chen X, Wang H, Liu Q, Shen C, Zhou L, Chen Y. Structural and functional insights into the 2'-O-methyltransferase of SARS-CoV-2. Virol Sin 2024:S1995-820X(24)00111-1. [PMID: 38969340 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2024.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
A unique feature of coronaviruses is their utilization of self-encoded nonstructural protein 16 (nsp16), 2'-O-methyltransferase (2'-O-MTase), to cap their RNAs through ribose 2'-O-methylation modification. This process is crucial for maintaining viral genome stability, facilitating efficient translation, and enabling immune escape. Despite considerable advances in the ultrastructure of SARS-CoV-2 nsp16/nsp10, insights into its molecular mechanism have so far been limited. In this study, we systematically characterized the 2'-O-MTase activity of nsp16 in SARS-CoV-2, focusing on its dependence on nsp10 stimulation. We observed cross-reactivity between nsp16 and nsp10 in various coronaviruses due to a conserved interaction interface. However, a single residue substitution (K58T) in SARS-CoV-2 nsp10 restricted the functional activation of MERS-CoV nsp16. Furthermore, the cofactor nsp10 effectively enhanced the binding of nsp16 to the substrate RNA and the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM). Mechanistically, His-80, Lys-93, and Gly-94 of nsp10 interacted with Asp-102, Ser-105, and Asp-106 of nsp16, respectively, thereby effectively stabilizing the SAM binding pocket. Lys-43 of nsp10 interacted with Lys-38 and Gly-39 of nsp16 to dynamically regulate the RNA binding pocket and facilitate precise binding of RNA to the nsp16/nsp10 complex. By assessing the conformational epitopes of nsp16/nsp10 complex, we further determined the critical residues involved in 2'-O-MTase activity. Additionally, we utilize an in vitro biochemical platform to screen potential inhibitors targeting 2'-O-MTase activity. Overall, our results significantly enhance the understanding of viral 2'-O methylation process and mechanism, providing valuable targets for antiviral drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikai Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Feiyu Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yingjian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xue Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xuemei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Shimin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xianying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Hongyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Qianyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Chao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Animal Bio-Safety Level III Laboratory/Institute for Vaccine Research, Wuhan University School of Medicine, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences and Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China; Animal Bio-Safety Level III Laboratory/Institute for Vaccine Research, Wuhan University School of Medicine, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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2
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Matsuda A, Plewka J, Rawski M, Mourão A, Zajko W, Siebenmorgen T, Kresik L, Lis K, Jones A, Pachota M, Karim A, Hartman K, Nirwal S, Sonani R, Chykunova Y, Minia I, Mak P, Landthaler M, Nowotny M, Dubin G, Sattler M, Suder P, Popowicz G, Pyrć K, Czarna A. Despite the odds: formation of the SARS-CoV-2 methylation complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6441-6458. [PMID: 38499483 PMCID: PMC11194070 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae165] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses modify their single-stranded RNA genome with a methylated cap during replication to mimic the eukaryotic mRNAs. The capping process is initiated by several nonstructural proteins (nsp) encoded in the viral genome. The methylation is performed by two methyltransferases, nsp14 and nsp16, while nsp10 acts as a co-factor to both. Additionally, nsp14 carries an exonuclease domain which operates in the proofreading system during RNA replication of the viral genome. Both nsp14 and nsp16 were reported to independently bind nsp10, but the available structural information suggests that the concomitant interaction between these three proteins would be impossible due to steric clashes. Here, we show that nsp14, nsp10, and nsp16 can form a heterotrimer complex upon significant allosteric change. This interaction is expected to encourage the formation of mature capped viral mRNA, modulating nsp14's exonuclease activity, and protecting the viral RNA. Our findings show that nsp14 is amenable to allosteric regulation and may serve as a novel target for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Matsuda
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Jacek Plewka
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Rawski
- SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre, Jagiellonian University, 30-392 Kraków, Poland
| | - André Mourão
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Weronika Zajko
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Leanid Kresik
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Kinga Lis
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Kraków University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
| | - Alisha N Jones
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Magdalena Pachota
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Abdulkarim Karim
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Salahaddin University-Erbil, 44002 Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
- Department of Community Health, College of Health Technology, Cihan University-Erbil, 44001 Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Kinga Hartman
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Shivlee Nirwal
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ravi Sonani
- Protein Crystallography Research Group, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Yuliya Chykunova
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Igor Minia
- Laboratory for RNA Biology, Berlin Institute for Medical System Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paweł Mak
- Department of Analytical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Markus Landthaler
- Laboratory for RNA Biology, Berlin Institute for Medical System Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcin Nowotny
- Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Protein Crystallography Research Group, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Michael Sattler
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Piotr Suder
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Pyrć
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Czarna
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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3
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Li S, Li H, Lian R, Xie J, Feng R. New perspective of small-molecule antiviral drugs development for RNA viruses. Virology 2024; 594:110042. [PMID: 38492519 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110042] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
High variability and adaptability of RNA viruses allows them to spread between humans and animals, causing large-scale infectious diseases which seriously threat human and animal health and social development. At present, AIDS, viral hepatitis and other viral diseases with high incidence and low cure rate are still spreading around the world. The outbreaks of Ebola, Zika, dengue and in particular of the global pandemic of COVID-19 have presented serious challenges to the global public health system. The development of highly effective and broad-spectrum antiviral drugs is a substantial and urgent research subject to deal with the current RNA virus infection and the possible new viral infections in the future. In recent years, with the rapid development of modern disciplines such as artificial intelligence technology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and structural biology, some new strategies and targets for antivirals development have emerged. Here we review the main strategies and new targets for developing small-molecule antiviral drugs against RNA viruses through the analysis of the new drug development progress against several highly pathogenic RNA viruses, to provide clues for development of future antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Huixia Li
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Ruiya Lian
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Jingying Xie
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Ruofei Feng
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China.
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4
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Yoneyama M, Kato H, Fujita T. Physiological functions of RIG-I-like receptors. Immunity 2024; 57:731-751. [PMID: 38599168 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.03.003] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) are crucial for pathogen detection and triggering immune responses and have immense physiological importance. In this review, we first summarize the interferon system and innate immunity, which constitute primary and secondary responses. Next, the molecular structure of RLRs and the mechanism of sensing non-self RNA are described. Usually, self RNA is refractory to the RLR; however, there are underlying host mechanisms that prevent immune reactions. Studies have revealed that the regulatory mechanisms of RLRs involve covalent molecular modifications, association with regulatory factors, and subcellular localization. Viruses have evolved to acquire antagonistic RLR functions to escape the host immune reactions. Finally, the pathologies caused by the malfunction of RLR signaling are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsutoshi Yoneyama
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Division of Pandemic and Post-disaster Infectious Diseases, Research Institute of Disaster Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kato
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Takashi Fujita
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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5
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Ahmed-Belkacem R, Sutto-Ortiz P, Delpal A, Troussier J, Canard B, Vasseur JJ, Decroly E, Debart F. 5'-cap RNA/SAM mimetic conjugates as bisubstrate inhibitors of viral RNA cap 2'-O-methyltransferases. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107035. [PMID: 38199140 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107035] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Viral RNA cap 2'-O-methyltransferases are considered promising therapeutic targets for antiviral treatments, as they play a key role in the formation of viral RNA cap-1 structures to escape the host immune system. A better understanding of how they interact with their natural substrates (RNA and the methyl donor SAM) would enable the rational development of potent inhibitors. However, as few structures of 2'-O-MTases in complex with RNA have been described, little is known about substrate recognition by these MTases. For this, chemical tools mimicking the state in which the cap RNA substrate and SAM cofactor are bound in the enzyme's catalytic pocket may prove useful. In this work, we designed and synthesized over 30 RNA conjugates that contain a short oligoribonucleotide (ORN with 4 or 6 nucleotides) with the first nucleotide 2'-O-attached to an adenosine by linkers of different lengths and containing S or N-heteroatoms, or a 1,2,3-triazole ring. These ORN conjugates bearing or not a cap structure at 5'-extremity mimic the methylation transition state with RNA substrate/SAM complex as bisubstrates of 2'-O-MTases. The ORN conjugates were synthesized either by the incorporation of a dinucleoside phosphoramidite during RNA elongation or by click chemistry performed on solid-phase post-RNA elongation. Their ability to inhibit the activity of the nsp16/nsp10 complex of SARS-CoV-2 and the NS5 protein of dengue and Zika viruses was assessed. Significant submicromolar IC50 values and Kd values in the µM range were found, suggesting a possible interaction of some ORN conjugates with these viral 2'-O-MTases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adrien Delpal
- AFMB, University of Aix-Marseille, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Joris Troussier
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Bruno Canard
- AFMB, University of Aix-Marseille, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Françoise Debart
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
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6
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He M, Cao L, Liu L, Jin X, Zheng B, Liu X, Zhuang J, Zhang F, Yang Z, Ji Y, Xu T, Huang S, Chen J, Xie L, Li K, Hou P, Pan J, Guo D, Li C. Reconstitution of RNA cap methylation reveals different features of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV methyltransferases. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29411. [PMID: 38285434 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29411] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Cap RNA methylations play important roles in the replication, evasion of host RNA sensor recognition, and pathogenesis. Coronaviruses possess both guanine N7- and 2'-O-ribose methyltransferases (N7-MTase and 2'-O-MTase) encoded by nonstructural protein (nsp) 14 and nsp16/10 complex, respectively. In this study, we reconstituted the two-step RNA methylations of N7-MTase and 2'-O-MTase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro and demonstrated its common and different features in comparison with that of SARS-CoV. We revealed that the nsp16/10 2'-O-MTase of SARS-CoV-2 has a broader substrate selectivity than the counterpart of SARS-CoV and can accommodate both unmethylated and uncapped RNA substrates in a sequence-independent manner. Most intriguingly, the substrate selectivity of nsp16/10 complex is not determined by the apoenzyme of nsp16 MTase but by its cofactor nsp10. These results provide insight into the unique features of SARS-CoV-2 MTases and may help develop strategies to precisely intervene in the methylation pathway and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liu Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lihong Liu
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xu Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Birong Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xue Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhuang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fushi Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zixiao Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanxi Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Tiefeng Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Siyao Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junhai Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Luyang Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Kun Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Panpan Hou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Pan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Deyin Guo
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunmei Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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7
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Li X, Wu Y, Yan Z, Li G, Luo J, Huang S, Guo X. A Comprehensive View on the Protein Functions of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:165. [PMID: 38397155 PMCID: PMC10887554 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020165] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus (PEDV) is one of the main pathogens causing diarrhea in piglets and fattening pigs. The clinical signs of PED are vomiting, acute diarrhea, dehydration, and mortality resulting in significant economic losses and becoming a major challenge in the pig industry. PEDV possesses various crucial structural and functional proteins, which play important roles in viral structure, infection, replication, assembly, and release, as well as in escaping host innate immunity. Over the past few years, there has been progress in the study of PEDV pathogenesis, revealing the crucial role of the interaction between PEDV viral proteins and host cytokines in PEDV infection. At present, the main control measure against PEDV is vaccine immunization of sows, but the protective effect for emerging virus strains is still insufficient, and there is no ideal safe and efficient vaccine. Although scientists have persistently delved their research into the intricate structure and functionalities of the PEDV genome and viral proteins for years, the pathogenic mechanism of PEDV remains incompletely elucidated. Here, we focus on reviewing the research progress of PEDV structural and nonstructural proteins to facilitate the understanding of biological processes such as PEDV infection and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Z.Y.); (G.L.); (J.L.)
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Zhaoqing 526238, China
| | - Yiwan Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Z.Y.); (G.L.); (J.L.)
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Zhaoqing 526238, China
| | - Zhibin Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Z.Y.); (G.L.); (J.L.)
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Zhaoqing 526238, China
| | - Gen Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Z.Y.); (G.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Jun Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Z.Y.); (G.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Shile Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.L.); (Y.W.); (Z.Y.); (G.L.); (J.L.)
- Zhaoqing Branch Center of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Zhaoqing 526238, China
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8
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Tsukamoto Y, Igarashi M, Kato H. Targeting cap1 RNA methyltransferases as an antiviral strategy. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:86-99. [PMID: 38091983 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.11.011] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Methylation is one of the critical modifications that regulates numerous biological processes. Guanine capping and methylation at the 7th position (m7G) have been shown to mature mRNA for increased RNA stability and translational efficiency. The m7G capped cap0 RNA remains immature and requires additional methylation at the first nucleotide (N1-2'-O-Me), designated as cap1, to achieve full maturation. This cap1 RNA with N1-2'-O-Me prevents its recognition by innate immune sensors as non-self. Viruses have also evolved various strategies to produce self-like capped RNAs with the N1-2'-O-Me that potentially evades the antiviral response and establishes an efficient replication. In this review, we focus on the importance of the presence of N1-2'-O-Me in viral RNAs and discuss the potential for drug development by targeting host and viral N1-2'-O-methyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Tsukamoto
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Manabu Igarashi
- Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kato
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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9
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Samrat SK, Bashir Q, Zhang R, Huang Y, Liu Y, Wu X, Brown T, Wang W, Zheng YG, Zhang QY, Chen Y, Li Z, Li H. A universal fluorescence polarization high throughput screening assay to target the SAM-binding sites of SARS-CoV-2 and other viral methyltransferases. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2204164. [PMID: 37060263 PMCID: PMC10165934 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2204164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic with significant humanity and economic loss since 2020. Currently, only limited options are available to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections for vulnerable populations. In this study, we report a universal fluorescence polarization (FP)-based high throughput screening (HTS) assay for SAM-dependent viral methyltransferases (MTases), using a fluorescent SAM-analogue, FL-NAH. We performed the assay against a reference MTase, NSP14, an essential enzyme for SARS-CoV-2 to methylate the N7 position of viral 5'-RNA guanine cap. The assay is universal and suitable for any SAM-dependent viral MTases such as the SARS-CoV-2 NSP16/NSP10 MTase complex and the NS5 MTase of Zika virus (ZIKV). Pilot screening demonstrated that the HTS assay was very robust and identified two candidate inhibitors, NSC 111552 and 288387. The two compounds inhibited the FL-NAH binding to the NSP14 MTase with low micromolar IC50. We used three functional MTase assays to unambiguously verified the inhibitory potency of these molecules for the NSP14 N7-MTase function. Binding studies indicated that these molecules are bound directly to the NSP14 MTase with similar low micromolar affinity. Moreover, we further demonstrated that these molecules significantly inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell-based assays at concentrations not causing cytotoxicity. Furthermore, NSC111552 significantly synergized with known SARS-CoV-2 drugs including nirmatrelvir and remdesivir. Finally, docking suggested that these molecules bind specifically to the SAM-binding site on the NSP14 MTase. Overall, these molecules represent novel and promising candidates to further develop broad-spectrum inhibitors for the management of viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subodh Kumar Samrat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Qamar Bashir
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yiding Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Xiangmeng Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Tyler Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Y. George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Qing-Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yin Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Zhong Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Hongmin Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science & College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- The BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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10
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Schindewolf C, Menachery VD. Coronavirus 2'-O-methyltransferase: A promising therapeutic target. Virus Res 2023; 336:199211. [PMID: 37634741 PMCID: PMC10485632 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) have been the source of multiple epidemics and a global pandemic since the start of century, and there is an urgent need to understand CoV biology and develop better therapeutics. Here, we review the role of NSP16 in CoV replication, specifically its importance to 2'-O-methylation and CoV RNA capping. We describe the attenuation phenotypes of NSP16-mutant CoVs, the roles of MDA5 and IFITs in sensing and antagonizing viral RNA lacking 2'O methylation, and the dependence on 2'-O-methylation in other virus families. We also detail the growing body of research into targeting 2'-O-methylation for therapeutics or as a platform for live attenuated vaccines. Beyond its role in RNA capping, NSP16 may have yet uncharacterized importance to CoV replication, highlighting the need for continued studies into NSP16 functions. Understanding the full contribution of NSP16 to the replicative fitness of CoVs will better inform the development of treatments against future CoV outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Schindewolf
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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11
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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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12
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Wells EW, Parker MT. Regulating Select Agent Chimeras: Defining the Problem(s) Through the Lens of SARS-CoV-1/SARS-CoV-2 Chimeric Viruses. Health Secur 2023; 21:392-406. [PMID: 37703547 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2023.0008] [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: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In late 2021, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted an interim final rule (86 FR 64075) to the federal register regulating the possession, use, and transfer of SARS-CoV-1/SARS-CoV-2 chimeric viruses. In doing so, the CDC provided the reasoning that viral chimeras combining the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 with the pathogenicity and lethality of SARS-CoV-1 pose a significant risk to public health and should thus be placed on the select agents and toxins list. However, 86 FR 64075 lacked clarity in its definitions and scope, some of which the CDC addressed in response to public comments in the final rule, 88 FR 13322, in early 2023. To evaluate these regulatory actions, we reviewed the existing select agent regulations to understand the landscape of chimeric virus regulation. Based on our findings, we first present clear definitions for the terms "chimeric virus," "viral chimera," and "virulence factor" and provide a list of SARS-CoV-1 virulence factors in an effort to aid researchers and federal rulemaking for these agents moving forward. We then provide suggestions for a combination of similarity and functional characteristic cutoffs that the government could use to enable researchers to distinguish between regulated and nonregulated chimeras. Finally, we discuss current select agent regulations and their overlaps with 86 FR 64075 and 88 FR 13322 and make suggestions for how to address chimera concerns within and/or without these regulations. Collectively, we believe that our findings fill important gaps in current federal regulations and provide forward-looking philosophical and practical analysis that can guide future decisionmaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth W Wells
- Elizabeth W. Wells is a Student, Department of Biology, Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Michael T Parker
- Michael T. Parker, PhD, is Assistant Dean, Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
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13
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Štefek M, Chalupská D, Chalupský K, Zgarbová M, Dvořáková A, Krafčíková P, Li ASM, Šála M, Dejmek M, Otava T, Chaloupecká E, Kozák J, Kozic J, Vedadi M, Weber J, Mertlíková-Kaiserová H, Nencka R. Rational Design of Highly Potent SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 Methyltransferase Inhibitors. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:27410-27418. [PMID: 37546609 PMCID: PMC10398685 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The search for new drugs against COVID-19 and its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, is one of the major trends in the current medicinal chemistry. Targeting capping machinery could be one of the therapeutic concepts based on a unique mechanism of action. Viral RNA cap synthesis involves two methylation steps, the first of which is mediated by the nsp14 protein. Here, we rationally designed and synthesized a series of compounds capable of binding to both the S-adenosyl-l-methionine and the RNA-binding site of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 N7-methyltransferase. These hybrid molecules showed excellent potency, high selectivity toward various human methyltransferases, nontoxicity, and high cell permeability. Despite the outstanding activity against the enzyme, our compounds showed poor antiviral performance in vitro. This suggests that the activity of this viral methyltransferase has no significant effect on virus transcription and replication at the cellular level. Therefore, our compounds represent unique tools to further explore the role of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 methyltransferase in the viral life cycle and the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Štefek
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Dominika Chalupská
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Chalupský
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Michala Zgarbová
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra Dvořáková
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Krafčíková
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Alice Shi Ming Li
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Michal Šála
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Dejmek
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Otava
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Ema Chaloupecká
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Kozák
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Kozic
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- QBI
COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Jan Weber
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Mertlíková-Kaiserová
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Náměstí
2, Prague 6 166 10, Czech Republic
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14
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Kumar S, Singh H, Prajapat M, Sarma P, Bhattacharyya A, Kaur H, Kaur G, Shekhar N, Kaushal K, Kumari K, Bansal S, Mahendiratta S, Chauhan A, Singh A, Soloman Singh R, Sharma S, Thota P, Avti P, Prakash A, Kuhad A, Medhi B. Structural-Based Virtual Screening of FDA-Approved Drugs Repository for NSP16 Inhibitors, Essential for SARS-COV-2 Invasion Into Host Cells: Elucidation From MM/PBSA Calculation. Bioinform Biol Insights 2023; 17:11779322231171777. [PMID: 37533429 PMCID: PMC10392196 DOI: 10.1177/11779322231171777] [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: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
NSP16 is one of the structural proteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) necessary for its entrance to the host cells. It exhibits 2'O-methyl-transferase (2'O-MTase) activity of NSP16 using methyl group from S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) by methylating the 5-end of virally encoded mRNAs and shields viral RNA, and also controls its replication as well as infection. In the present study, we used in silico approaches of drug repurposing to target and inhibit the SAM binding site in NSP16 using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved small molecules set from Drug Bank database. Among the 2 456 FDA-approved molecules, framycetin, paromomycin, and amikacin were found to be significant binders against the SAM binding cryptic pocket of NSP16 with docking score of -13.708, -14.997 and -15.841 kcal/mol, respectively. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA)-based binding free energy calculation depicted that all these three framycetin, paromomycin, and amikacin might be promising therapeutic leads towards SARS-CoV-2 infections via host immune escape inhibition pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subodh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Harvinder Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manisha Prajapat
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Phulen Sarma
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Guwahati, Guwahati, India
| | - Anusuya Bhattacharyya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector 32 (GMCH-32), Chandigarh, India
| | - Hardeep Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gurjeet Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Nishant Shekhar
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Karanveer Kaushal
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kalpna Kumari
- Department of Anaesthesia, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Seema Bansal
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Saniya Mahendiratta
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Arushi Chauhan
- Department of Biophysics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rahul Soloman Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Saurabh Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Prasad Thota
- Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ghaziabad, India
| | - Pramod Avti
- Department of Biophysics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ajay Prakash
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anurag Kuhad
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
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15
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Slanina H, Madhugiri R, Wenk K, Reinke T, Schultheiß K, Schultheis J, Karl N, Linne U, Ziebuhr J. Conserved Characteristics of NMPylation Activities of Alpha- and Betacoronavirus NiRAN Domains. J Virol 2023; 97:e0046523. [PMID: 37199624 PMCID: PMC10308930 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00465-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus genome replication and expression are mediated by the viral replication-transcription complex (RTC) which is assembled from multiple nonstructural proteins (nsp). Among these, nsp12 represents the central functional subunit. It harbors the RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain and contains, at its N terminus, an additional domain called NiRAN which is widely conserved in coronaviruses and other nidoviruses. In this study, we produced bacterially expressed coronavirus nsp12s to investigate and compare NiRAN-mediated NMPylation activities from representative alpha- and betacoronaviruses. We found that the four coronavirus NiRAN domains characterized to date have a number of conserved properties, including (i) robust nsp9-specific NMPylation activities that appear to operate largely independently of the C-terminal RdRp domain, (ii) nucleotide substrate preference for UTP followed by ATP and other nucleotides, (iii) dependence on divalent metal ions, with Mn2+ being preferred over Mg2+, and (iv) a key role of N-terminal residues (particularly Asn2) of nsp9 for efficient formation of a covalent phosphoramidate bond between NMP and the N-terminal amino group of nsp9. In this context, a mutational analysis confirmed the conservation and critical role of Asn2 across different subfamilies of the family Coronaviridae, as shown by studies using chimeric coronavirus nsp9 variants in which six N-terminal residues were replaced with those from other corona-, pito- and letovirus nsp9 homologs. The combined data of this and previous studies reveal a remarkable degree of conservation among coronavirus NiRAN-mediated NMPylation activities, supporting a key role of this enzymatic activity in viral RNA synthesis and processing. IMPORTANCE There is strong evidence that coronaviruses and other large nidoviruses evolved a number of unique enzymatic activities, including an additional RdRp-associated NiRAN domain, that are conserved in nidoviruses but not in most other RNA viruses. Previous studies of the NiRAN domain mainly focused on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and suggested different functions for this domain, such as NMPylation/RNAylation of nsp9, RNA guanylyltransferase activities involved in canonical and/or unconventional RNA capping pathways, and other functions. To help resolve partly conflicting information on substrate specificities and metal ion requirements reported previously for the SARS-CoV-2 NiRAN NMPylation activity, we extended these earlier studies by characterizing representative alpha- and betacoronavirus NiRAN domains. The study revealed that key features of NiRAN-mediated NMPylation activities, such as protein and nucleotide specificity and metal ion requirements, are very well conserved among genetically divergent coronaviruses, suggesting potential avenues for future antiviral drug development targeting this essential viral enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Slanina
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Kai Wenk
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tess Reinke
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Karin Schultheiß
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Julia Schultheis
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nadja Karl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Uwe Linne
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Department of Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - John Ziebuhr
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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16
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Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been associated with substantial global morbidity and mortality. Despite a tropism that is largely confined to the airways, COVID-19 is associated with multiorgan dysfunction and long-term cognitive pathologies. A major driver of this biology stems from the combined effects of virus-mediated interference with the host antiviral defences in infected cells and the sensing of pathogen-associated material by bystander cells. Such a dynamic results in delayed induction of type I and III interferons (IFN-I and IFN-III) at the site of infection, but systemic IFN-I and IFN-III priming in distal organs and barrier epithelial surfaces, respectively. In this Review, we examine the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 biology and the cellular response to infection, detailing how antagonism and dysregulation of host innate immune defences contribute to disease severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Minkoff
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin tenOever
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
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17
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Abbasian MH, Mahmanzar M, Rahimian K, Mahdavi B, Tokhanbigli S, Moradi B, Sisakht MM, Deng Y. Global landscape of SARS-CoV-2 mutations and conserved regions. J Transl Med 2023; 21:152. [PMID: 36841805 PMCID: PMC9958328 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03996-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At the end of December 2019, a novel strain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) has been identified in Wuhan, a central city in China, and then spread to every corner of the globe. As of October 8, 2022, the total number of COVID-19 cases had reached over 621 million worldwide, with more than 6.56 million confirmed deaths. Since SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences change due to mutation and recombination, it is pivotal to surveil emerging variants and monitor changes for improving pandemic management. METHODS 10,287,271 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence samples were downloaded in FASTA format from the GISAID databases from February 24, 2020, to April 2022. Python programming language (version 3.8.0) software was utilized to process FASTA files to identify variants and sequence conservation. The NCBI RefSeq SARS-CoV-2 genome (accession no. NC_045512.2) was considered as the reference sequence. RESULTS Six mutations had more than 50% frequency in global SARS-CoV-2. These mutations include the P323L (99.3%) in NSP12, D614G (97.6) in S, the T492I (70.4) in NSP4, R203M (62.8%) in N, T60A (61.4%) in Orf9b, and P1228L (50.0%) in NSP3. In the SARS-CoV-2 genome, no mutation was observed in more than 90% of nsp11, nsp7, nsp10, nsp9, nsp8, and nsp16 regions. On the other hand, N, nsp3, S, nsp4, nsp12, and M had the maximum rate of mutations. In the S protein, the highest mutation frequency was observed in aa 508-635(0.77%) and aa 381-508 (0.43%). The highest frequency of mutation was observed in aa 66-88 (2.19%), aa 7-14, and aa 164-246 (2.92%) in M, E, and N proteins, respectively. CONCLUSION Therefore, monitoring SARS-CoV-2 proteomic changes and detecting hot spots mutations and conserved regions could be applied to improve the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic efficiency and design safe and effective vaccines against emerging variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hadi Abbasian
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadamin Mahmanzar
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA
| | - Karim Rahimian
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahar Mahdavi
- Department of Computer Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Tokhanbigli
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bahman Moradi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mollapour Sisakht
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Youping Deng
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA.
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18
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Coronavirus Inhibitors Targeting nsp16. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28030988. [PMID: 36770656 PMCID: PMC9920298 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28030988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past three decades, humans have been confronted with different new coronavirus outbreaks. Since the end of the year 2019, COVID-19 threatens the world as a rapidly spreading infectious disease. For this work, we targeted the non-structural protein 16 (nsp16) as a key protein of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV to develop broad-spectrum inhibitors of nsp16. Computational methods were used to filter candidates from a natural product-based library of 224,205 compounds obtained from the ZINC database. The binding of the candidates to nsp16 was assessed using virtual screening with VINA LC, and molecular docking with AutoDock 4.2.6. The top 9 compounds were bound to the nsp16 protein of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV with the lowest binding energies (LBEs) in the range of -9.0 to -13.0 kcal with VINA LC. The AutoDock-based LBEs for nsp16 of SARS-CoV-2 ranged from -11.42 to -16.11 kcal/mol with predicted inhibition constants (pKi) from 0.002 to 4.51 nM, the natural substrate S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) was used as control. In silico results were verified by microscale thermophoresis as in vitro assay. The candidates were investigated further for their cytotoxicity in normal MRC-5 lung fibroblasts to determine their therapeutic indices. Here, the IC50 values of all three compounds were >10 µM. In summary, we identified three novel SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, two of which showed broad-spectrum activity to nsp16 in SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV. All three compounds are coumarin derivatives that contain chromen-2-one in their scaffolds.
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19
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Malik A, Kohli M, Jacob NA, Kayal A, Raj TK, Kulkarni N, Chandramohan V. In silico screening of phytochemical compounds and FDA drugs as potential inhibitors for NSP16/10 5' methyl transferase activity. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:221-233. [PMID: 34844519 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2005680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The recent global pandemic associated with the highly contagious novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an unpredictable loss of life and economy worldwide, and the discovery of antiviral drugs is an urgent necessity. For the discovery of new drug leads and for the treatment of various diseases, natural products and purified photochemical from medicinal plants are used. The RNA cap was methylated by two S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), catalyzed by NSP16 2'-O-Mtase. Natural substrate SAM, 128 Phytocompounds retrieved from the Phytocompounds database, and 11 standard FDA-approved HIV drugs reclaimed from the PubChem database are subjected to docking analysis. The docking study was done using AutoDock Vina. Further, admetSAR and DruLiTO servers are used to analyze the drug-likeness properties. The NSP16/10 structure and natural substrate SAM, Phytocompounds Withanolide (WTL), and HIV standard drug Dolutegravir (DLT) as hit compounds were identified by molecular dynamics using the Gromacs GPU-enabled package. To examine the effectiveness of the identified drugs versus COVID-19, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayank Kohli
- Biotechnology Skill Enhancement Programme, Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India
| | - Neethu Anju Jacob
- Biotechnology Skill Enhancement Programme, Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | | | - Vivek Chandramohan
- Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India
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20
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Xu J, Liu M, Niu X, Hanson J, Jung K, Ru P, Tu H, Jones DM, Vlasova AN, Saif LJ, Wang Q. The Cold-Adapted, Temperature-Sensitive SARS-CoV-2 Strain TS11 Is Attenuated in Syrian Hamsters and a Candidate Attenuated Vaccine. Viruses 2022; 15:95. [PMID: 36680135 PMCID: PMC9867033 DOI: 10.3390/v15010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) replicate in the respiratory/oral mucosa, mimic natural infection, and can induce mucosal and systemic immune responses to the full repertoire of SARS-CoV-2 structural/nonstructural proteins. Generally, LAVs produce broader and more durable protection than current COVID-19 vaccines. We generated a temperature-sensitive (TS) SARS-CoV-2 mutant TS11 via cold-adaptation of the WA1 strain in Vero E6 cells. TS11 replicated at >4 Log10-higher titers at 32 °C than at 39 °C. TS11 has multiple mutations, including those in nsp3, a 12-amino acid-deletion spanning the furin cleavage site of the S protein and a 371-nucleotide-deletion spanning the ORF7b-ORF8 genes. We tested the pathogenicity and protective efficacy of TS11 against challenge with a heterologous virulent SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain 14B in Syrian hamsters. Hamsters were randomly assigned to mock immunization-challenge (Mock-C) and TS11 immunization-challenge (TS11-C) groups. Like the mock group, TS11-vaccinated hamsters did not show any clinical signs and continuously gained body weight. TS11 replicated well in the nasal cavity but poorly in the lungs and caused only mild lesions in the lungs. After challenge, hamsters in the Mock-C group lost weight. In contrast, the animals in the TS11-C group continued gaining weight. The virus titers in the nasal turbinates and lungs of the TS11-C group were significantly lower than those in the Mock-C group, confirming the protective effects of TS11 immunization of hamsters. Histopathological examination demonstrated that animals in the Mock-C group had severe pulmonary lesions and large amounts of viral antigens in the lungs post-challenge; however, the TS11-C group had minimal pathological changes and few viral antigen-positive cells. In summary, the TS11 mutant was attenuated and induced protection against disease after a heterologous SARS-CoV-2 challenge in Syrian hamsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Xu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mingde Liu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Niu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Juliette Hanson
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Kwonil Jung
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Peng Ru
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Huolin Tu
- James Molecular Laboratory at Polaris, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43240, USA
| | - Daniel M. Jones
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- James Molecular Laboratory at Polaris, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43240, USA
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Anastasia N. Vlasova
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Linda J. Saif
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qiuhong Wang
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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21
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Balieiro AM, Anunciação ELS, Costa CHS, Qayed WS, Silva JRA. Computational Analysis of SAM Analogs as Methyltransferase Inhibitors of nsp16/nsp10 Complex from SARS-CoV-2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213972. [PMID: 36430451 PMCID: PMC9697258 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213972] [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: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyltransferases (MTases) enzymes, responsible for RNA capping into severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are emerging important targets for the design of new anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Here, analogs of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), obtained from the bioisosteric substitution of the sulfonium and amino acid groups, were evaluated by rigorous computational modeling techniques such as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations followed by relative binding free analysis against nsp16/nsp10 complex from SARS-CoV-2. The most potent inhibitor (2a) shows the lowest binding free energy (-58.75 Kcal/mol) and more potency than Sinefungin (SFG) (-39.8 Kcal/mol), a pan-MTase inhibitor, which agrees with experimental observations. Besides, our results suggest that the total binding free energy of each evaluated SAM analog is driven by van der Waals interactions which can explain their poor cell permeability, as observed in experimental essays. Overall, we provide a structural and energetic analysis for the inhibition of the nsp16/nsp10 complex involving the evaluated SAM analogs as potential inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra M. Balieiro
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Eduarda L. S. Anunciação
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Clauber H. S. Costa
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computing in Engineering & Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13084-862, Brazil
| | - Wesam S. Qayed
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - José Rogério A. Silva
- Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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22
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A mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping and its inhibition by nucleotide analog inhibitors. Cell 2022; 185:4347-4360.e17. [PMID: 36335936 PMCID: PMC9531661 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Decoration of cap on viral RNA plays essential roles in SARS-CoV-2 proliferation. Here, we report a mechanism for SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping and document structural details at atomic resolution. The NiRAN domain in polymerase catalyzes the covalent link of RNA 5' end to the first residue of nsp9 (termed as RNAylation), thus being an intermediate to form cap core (GpppA) with GTP catalyzed again by NiRAN. We also reveal that triphosphorylated nucleotide analog inhibitors can be bonded to nsp9 and fit into a previously unknown "Nuc-pocket" in NiRAN, thus inhibiting nsp9 RNAylation and formation of GpppA. S-loop (residues 50-KTN-52) in NiRAN presents a remarkable conformational shift observed in RTC bound with sofosbuvir monophosphate, reasoning an "induce-and-lock" mechanism to design inhibitors. These findings not only improve the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping and the mode of action of NAIs but also provide a strategy to design antiviral drugs.
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23
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Iyengar SM, Barnsley KK, Vu HY, Bongalonta IJA, Herrod AS, Scott JA, Ondrechen MJ. Identification and characterization of alternative sites and molecular probes for SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. Front Chem 2022; 10:1017394. [PMID: 36385993 PMCID: PMC9659918 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1017394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Three protein targets from SARS-CoV-2, the viral pathogen that causes COVID-19, are studied: the main protease, the 2′-O-RNA methyltransferase, and the nucleocapsid (N) protein. For the main protease, the nucleophilicity of the catalytic cysteine C145 is enabled by coupling to three histidine residues, H163 and H164 and catalytic dyad partner H41. These electrostatic couplings enable significant population of the deprotonated state of C145. For the RNA methyltransferase, the catalytic lysine K6968 that serves as a Brønsted base has significant population of its deprotonated state via strong coupling with K6844 and Y6845. For the main protease, Partial Order Optimum Likelihood (POOL) predicts two clusters of biochemically active residues; one includes the catalytic H41 and C145 and neighboring residues. The other surrounds a second pocket adjacent to the catalytic site and includes S1 residues F140, L141, H163, E166, and H172 and also S2 residue D187. This secondary recognition site could serve as an alternative target for the design of molecular probes. From in silico screening of library compounds, ligands with predicted affinity for the secondary site are reported. For the NSP16-NSP10 complex that comprises the RNA methyltransferase, three different sites are predicted. One is the catalytic core at the conserved K-D-K-E motif that includes catalytic residues D6928, K6968, and E7001 plus K6844. The second site surrounds the catalytic core and consists of Y6845, C6849, I6866, H6867, F6868, V6894, D6895, D6897, I6926, S6927, Y6930, and K6935. The third is located at the heterodimer interface. Ligands predicted to have high affinity for the first or second sites are reported. Three sites are also predicted for the nucleocapsid protein. This work uncovers key interactions that contribute to the function of the three viral proteins and also suggests alternative sites for ligand design.
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24
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Shannon A, Sama B, Gauffre P, Guez T, Debart F, Vasseur JJ, Decroly E, Canard B, Ferron F. A second type of N7-guanine RNA cap methyltransferase in an unusual locus of a large RNA virus genome. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11186-11198. [PMID: 36265859 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The order Nidovirales is a diverse group of (+)RNA viruses, with a common genome organization and conserved set of replicative and editing enzymes. In particular, RNA methyltransferases play a central role in mRNA stability and immune escape. However, their presence and distribution in different Nidovirales families is not homogeneous. In Coronaviridae, the best characterized family, two distinct methytransferases perform methylation of the N7-guanine and 2'-OH of the RNA-cap to generate a cap-1 structure (m7GpppNm). The genes of both of these enzymes are located in the ORF1b genomic region. While 2'-O-MTases can be identified for most other families based on conservation of both sequence motifs and genetic loci, identification of the N7-guanine methyltransferase has proved more challenging. Recently, we identified a putative N7-MTase domain in the ORF1a region (N7-MT-1a) of certain members of the large genome Tobaniviridae family. Here, we demonstrate that this domain indeed harbors N7-specific methyltransferase activity. We present its structure as the first N7-specific Rossmann-fold (RF) MTase identified for (+)RNA viruses, making it remarkably different from that of the known Coronaviridae ORF1b N7-MTase gene. We discuss the evolutionary implications of such an appearance in this unexpected location in the genome, which introduces a split-off in the classification of Tobaniviridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Shannon
- Aix-Marseille Université and CNRS, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Bhawna Sama
- Aix-Marseille Université and CNRS, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre Gauffre
- Aix-Marseille Université and CNRS, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Théo Guez
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Debart
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Etienne Decroly
- Aix-Marseille Université and CNRS, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Canard
- Aix-Marseille Université and CNRS, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257, 13009, Marseille, France.,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - François Ferron
- Aix-Marseille Université and CNRS, Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257, 13009, Marseille, France.,European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
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25
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SARS-CoV-2 Uses Nonstructural Protein 16 to Evade Restriction by IFIT1 and IFIT3. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.09.26.509529. [PMID: 36203546 PMCID: PMC9536030 DOI: 10.1101/2022.09.26.509529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular basis of innate immune evasion by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important consideration for designing the next wave of therapeutics. Here, we investigate the role of the nonstructural protein 16 (NSP16) of SARS-CoV-2 in infection and pathogenesis. NSP16, a ribonucleoside 2'- O methyltransferase (MTase), catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group to mRNA as part of the capping process. Based on observations with other CoVs, we hypothesized that NSP16 2'- O MTase function protects SARS-CoV-2 from cap-sensing host restriction. Therefore, we engineered SARS-CoV-2 with a mutation that disrupts a conserved residue in the active site of NSP16. We subsequently show that this mutant is attenuated both in vitro and in vivo , using a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mechanistically, we confirm that the NSP16 mutant is more sensitive to type I interferon (IFN-I) in vitro . Furthermore, silencing IFIT1 or IFIT3, IFN-stimulated genes that sense a lack of 2'- O methylation, partially restores fitness to the NSP16 mutant. Finally, we demonstrate that sinefungin, a methyltransferase inhibitor that binds the catalytic site of NSP16, sensitizes wild-type SARS-CoV-2 to IFN-I treatment. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of SARS-CoV-2 NSP16 in evading host innate immunity and suggest a possible target for future antiviral therapies. Importance Similar to other coronaviruses, disruption of SARS-CoV-2 NSP16 function attenuates viral replication in a type I interferon-dependent manner. In vivo , our results show reduced disease and viral replication at late times in the hamster lung, but an earlier titer deficit for the NSP16 mutant (dNSP16) in the upper airway. In addition, our results confirm a role for IFIT1, but also demonstrate the necessity of IFIT3 in mediating dNSP16 attenuation. Finally, we show that targeting NSP16 activity with a 2'- O methyltransferase inhibitor in combination with type I interferon offers a novel avenue for antiviral development.
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26
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Wang M, Zhao Y, Liu J, Li T. SARS-CoV-2 modulation of RIG-I-MAVS signaling: Potential mechanisms of impairment on host antiviral immunity and therapeutic approaches. MEDCOMM - FUTURE MEDICINE 2022; 1:e29. [PMID: 37521851 PMCID: PMC9878249 DOI: 10.1002/mef2.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global infectious disease aroused by RNA virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients may suffer from severe respiratory failure or even die, posing a huge challenge to global public health. Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) is one of the major pattern recognition receptors, function to recognize RNA viruses and mediate the innate immune response. RIG-1 and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 contain an N-terminal caspase recruitment domain that is activated upon detection of viral RNA in the cytoplasm of virus-infected cells. Activated RIG-I and mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein trigger a series of corresponding immune responses such as the production of type I interferon against viral infection. In this review, we are summarizing the role of the structural, nonstructural, and accessory proteins from SARS-CoV-2 on the RIG-I-MAVS pathway, and exploring the potential mechanism how SARS-CoV-2 could evade the host antiviral response. We then proposed that modulation of the RIG-I-MAVS signaling pathway might be a novel and effective therapeutic strategy to against COVID-19 as well as the constantly mutating coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
| | - Yue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Clinical Laboratory MedicineGuangdong Medical UniversityDongguanChina
| | - Juan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and HealthMacau University of Science and TechnologyMacauChina
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27
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Gyebi GA, Ogunyemi OM, Adefolalu AA, Rodríguez-Martínez A, López-Pastor JF, Banegas-Luna AJ, Pérez-Sánchez H, Adegunloye AP, Ogunro OB, Afolabi SO. African derived phytocompounds may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping machinery via inhibition of 2'-O-ribose methyltransferase: An in silico perspective. J Mol Struct 2022; 1262:133019. [PMID: 35431328 PMCID: PMC9002684 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the ongoing vaccination against the life-threatening COVID-19, there is need for viable therapeutic interventions. The S-adenosyl-l-Methionine (SAM) dependent 2-O'-ribose methyltransferase (2'-O-MTase) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents a therapeutic target against COVID-19 infection. In a bid to profile bioactive principles from natural sources, a custom-made library of 226 phytochemicals from African medicinal plants with especially anti-malarial activity was screened for direct interactions with SARS-CoV-2 2'-O-MTase (S2RMT) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as well as binding free energies methods. Based on minimal binding energy lower than sinefungin (a reference methyl-transferase inhibitor) and binding mode analysis at the catalytic site of S2RMT, a list of 26 hit phytocompounds was defined. The interaction of these phytocompounds was compared with the 2'-O-MTase of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Among these compounds, the lead phytocompounds (LPs) viz: mulberrofuran F, 24-methylene cycloartenol, ferulate, 3-benzoylhosloppone and 10-hydroxyusambarensine interacted strongly with the conserved KDKE tetrad within the substrate binding pocket of the 2'-O-MTase of the coronavirus strains which is critical for substrate binding. The thermodynamic parameters analyzed from the MD simulation trajectories of the LPs-S2RMT complexes presented an eminent structural stability and compactness. These LPs demonstrated favorable druggability and in silico ADMET properties over a diverse array of molecular computing descriptors. The LPs show promising prospects in the disruption of S2RMT capping machinery in silico. However, these LPs should be validated via in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon A. Gyebi
- Department of Biochemistry, Bingham University, Karu, Nigeria,Corresponding authors
| | - Oludare M. Ogunyemi
- Human Nutraceuticals and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Lokoja, Nigeria
| | | | - Alejandro Rodríguez-Martínez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain
| | - Juan F. López-Pastor
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain
| | - Antonio J. Banegas-Luna
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain
| | - Horacio Pérez-Sánchez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC), Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Spain,Corresponding authors
| | | | - Olalekan B. Ogunro
- Department of Biological Sciences, KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Saheed O. Afolabi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
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28
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Proteolytic Processing of the Coronavirus Replicase Nonstructural Protein 14 Exonuclease Is Not Required for Virus Replication but Alters RNA Synthesis and Viral Fitness. J Virol 2022; 96:e0084122. [PMID: 35924922 PMCID: PMC9400476 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00841-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) initiate replication by translation of the positive-sense RNA genome into the replicase polyproteins connecting 16 nonstructural protein domains (nsp1-16), which are subsequently processed by viral proteases to yield mature nsp. For the betacoronavirus murine hepatitis virus (MHV), total inhibition of translation or proteolytic processing of replicase polyproteins results in rapid cessation of RNA synthesis. The nsp5-3CLpro (Mpro) processes nsps7-16, which assemble into functional replication-transcription complexes (RTCs), including the enzymatic nsp12-RdRp and nsp14-exoribonuclease (ExoN)/N7-methyltransferase. The nsp14-ExoN activity mediates RNA-dependent RNA proofreading, high-fidelity RNA synthesis, and replication. To date, the solved partial RTC structures, biochemistry, and models use or assume completely processed, mature nsp. Here, we demonstrate that in MHV, engineered deletion of the cleavage sites between nsp13-14 and nsp14-15 allowed recovery of replication-competent virus. Compared to wild-type (WT) MHV, the nsp13-14 and nsp14-15 cleavage deletion mutants demonstrated delayed replication kinetics, impaired genome production, altered abundance and patterns of recombination, and impaired competitive fitness. Further, the nsp13-14 and nsp14-15 mutant viruses demonstrated mutation frequencies that were significantly higher than with the WT. The results demonstrate that cleavage of nsp13-14 or nsp14-15 is not required for MHV viability and that functions of the RTC/nsp14-ExoN are impaired when assembled with noncleaved intermediates. These data will inform future genetic, structural, biochemical, and modeling studies of coronavirus RTCs and nsp 13, 14, and 15 and may reveal new approaches for inhibition or attenuation of CoV infection. IMPORTANCE Coronavirus replication requires proteolytic maturation of the nonstructural replicase proteins to form the replication-transcription complex. Coronavirus replication-transcription complex models assume mature subunits; however, mechanisms of coronavirus maturation and replicase complex formation have yet to be defined. Here, we show that for the coronavirus murine hepatitis virus, cleavage between the nonstructural replicase proteins nsp13-14 and nsp14-15 is not required for replication but does alter RNA synthesis and recombination. These results shed new light on the requirements for coronavirus maturation and replication-transcription complex assembly, and they may reveal novel therapeutic targets and strategies for attenuation.
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Mersinoglu B, Cristinelli S, Ciuffi A. The Impact of Epitranscriptomics on Antiviral Innate Immunity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081666. [PMID: 36016289 PMCID: PMC9412694 DOI: 10.3390/v14081666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epitranscriptomics, i.e., chemical modifications of RNA molecules, has proven to be a new layer of modulation and regulation of protein expression, asking for the revisiting of some aspects of cellular biology. At the virological level, epitranscriptomics can thus directly impact the viral life cycle itself, acting on viral or cellular proteins promoting replication, or impacting the innate antiviral response of the host cell, the latter being the focus of the present review.
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30
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Bergant V, Yamada S, Grass V, Tsukamoto Y, Lavacca T, Krey K, Mühlhofer MT, Wittmann S, Ensser A, Herrmann A, Vom Hemdt A, Tomita Y, Matsuyama S, Hirokawa T, Huang Y, Piras A, Jakwerth CA, Oelsner M, Thieme S, Graf A, Krebs S, Blum H, Kümmerer BM, Stukalov A, Schmidt-Weber CB, Igarashi M, Gramberg T, Pichlmair A, Kato H. Attenuation of SARS-CoV-2 replication and associated inflammation by concomitant targeting of viral and host cap 2'-O-ribose methyltransferases. EMBO J 2022; 41:e111608. [PMID: 35833542 PMCID: PMC9350232 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS‐CoV‐2 infection cycle is a multistage process that relies on functional interactions between the host and the pathogen. Here, we repurposed antiviral drugs against both viral and host enzymes to pharmaceutically block methylation of the viral RNA 2'‐O‐ribose cap needed for viral immune escape. We find that the host cap 2'‐O‐ribose methyltransferase MTr1 can compensate for loss of viral NSP16 methyltransferase in facilitating virus replication. Concomitant inhibition of MTr1 and NSP16 efficiently suppresses SARS‐CoV‐2 replication. Using in silico target‐based drug screening, we identify a bispecific MTr1/NSP16 inhibitor with anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 activity in vitro and in vivo but with unfavorable side effects. We further show antiviral activity of inhibitors that target independent stages of the host SAM cycle providing the methyltransferase co‐substrate. In particular, the adenosylhomocysteinase (AHCY) inhibitor DZNep is antiviral in in vitro, in ex vivo, and in a mouse infection model and synergizes with existing COVID‐19 treatments. Moreover, DZNep exhibits a strong immunomodulatory effect curbing infection‐induced hyperinflammation and reduces lung fibrosis markers ex vivo. Thus, multispecific and metabolic MTase inhibitors constitute yet unexplored treatment options against COVID‐19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Bergant
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Shintaro Yamada
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Vincent Grass
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Yuta Tsukamoto
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Teresa Lavacca
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Karsten Krey
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Maria-Teresa Mühlhofer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Wittmann
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin Ensser
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Herrmann
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Vom Hemdt
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yuriko Tomita
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shutoku Matsuyama
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Hirokawa
- Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Division of Biomedical Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yiqi Huang
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Antonio Piras
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Constanze A Jakwerth
- Center for Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), CPC-M, Munich, Germany
| | - Madlen Oelsner
- Center for Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), CPC-M, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Thieme
- Laboratory for functional genome analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Centre, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Graf
- Laboratory for functional genome analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Centre, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Krebs
- Laboratory for functional genome analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Centre, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Helmut Blum
- Laboratory for functional genome analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Centre, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Beate M Kümmerer
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexey Stukalov
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten B Schmidt-Weber
- Center for Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), CPC-M, Munich, Germany
| | - Manabu Igarashi
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.,Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Thomas Gramberg
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Pichlmair
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Germany
| | - Hiroki Kato
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
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Lou Z, Rao Z. The Life of SARS-CoV-2 Inside Cells: Replication-Transcription Complex Assembly and Function. Annu Rev Biochem 2022; 91:381-401. [PMID: 35729072 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-052521-115653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The persistence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in increasingly disruptive impacts, and it has become the most devastating challenge to global health in a century. The rapid emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants challenges the currently available therapeutics for clinical application. Nonstructural proteins (also known as replicase proteins) with versatile biological functions play central roles in viral replication and transcription inside the host cells, and they are the most conserved target proteins among the SARS-CoV-2 variants. Specifically, they constitute the replication-transcription complexes (RTCs) dominating the synthesis of viral RNA. Knowledge of themolecular mechanisms of nonstructural proteins and their assembly into RTCs will benefit the development of antivirals targeting them against existing or potentially emerging variants. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the structures and functions of coronavirus nonstructural proteins as well as the assembly and functions of RTCs in the life cycle of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Lou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; ,
| | - Zihe Rao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; , .,Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Grellet E, L'Hôte I, Goulet A, Imbert I. Replication of the coronavirus genome: A paradox among positive-strand RNA viruses. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101923. [PMID: 35413290 PMCID: PMC8994683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus (CoV) genomes consist of positive-sense single-stranded RNA and are among the largest viral RNAs known to date (∼30 kb). As a result, CoVs deploy sophisticated mechanisms to replicate these extraordinarily large genomes as well as to transcribe subgenomic messenger RNAs. Since 2003, with the emergence of three highly pathogenic CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2), significant progress has been made in the molecular characterization of the viral proteins and key mechanisms involved in CoV RNA genome replication. For example, to allow for the maintenance and integrity of their large RNA genomes, CoVs have acquired RNA proofreading 3'-5' exoribonuclease activity (in nonstructural protein nsp14). In order to replicate the large genome, the viral-RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp; in nsp12) is supplemented by a processivity factor (made of the viral complex nsp7/nsp8), making it the fastest known RdRp. Lastly, a viral structural protein, the nucleocapsid (N) protein, which is primarily involved in genome encapsidation, is required for efficient viral replication and transcription. Therefore, CoVs are a paradox among positive-strand RNA viruses in the sense that they use both a processivity factor and have proofreading activity reminiscent of DNA organisms in addition to structural proteins that mediate efficient RNA synthesis, commonly used by negative-strand RNA viruses. In this review, we present a historical perspective of these unsuspected discoveries and detail the current knowledge on the core replicative machinery deployed by CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Grellet
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France
| | - India L'Hôte
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France
| | - Adeline Goulet
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Imbert
- Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, AMU CNRS UMR 7255, LISM, Marseille, France.
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33
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Fischer TR, Meidner L, Schwickert M, Weber M, Zimmermann RA, Kersten C, Schirmeister T, Helm M. Chemical biology and medicinal chemistry of RNA methyltransferases. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4216-4245. [PMID: 35412633 PMCID: PMC9071492 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA methyltransferases (MTases) are ubiquitous enzymes whose hitherto low profile in medicinal chemistry, contrasts with the surging interest in RNA methylation, the arguably most important aspect of the new field of epitranscriptomics. As MTases become validated as drug targets in all major fields of biomedicine, the development of small molecule compounds as tools and inhibitors is picking up considerable momentum, in academia as well as in biotech. Here we discuss the development of small molecules for two related aspects of chemical biology. Firstly, derivates of the ubiquitous cofactor S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) are being developed as bioconjugation tools for targeted transfer of functional groups and labels to increasingly visible targets. Secondly, SAM-derived compounds are being investigated for their ability to act as inhibitors of RNA MTases. Drug development is moving from derivatives of cosubstrates towards higher generation compounds that may address allosteric sites in addition to the catalytic centre. Progress in assay development and screening techniques from medicinal chemistry have led to recent breakthroughs, e.g. in addressing human enzymes targeted for their role in cancer. Spurred by the current pandemic, new inhibitors against coronaviral MTases have emerged at a spectacular rate, including a repurposed drug which is now in clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim R Fischer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
| | - Laurenz Meidner
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
| | - Marvin Schwickert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
| | - Marlies Weber
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
| | - Robert A Zimmermann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
| | - Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128Mainz, Germany
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34
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Chourasia R, Padhi S, Phukon LC, Abedin MM, Sirohi R, Singh SP, Rai AK. Peptide candidates for the development of therapeutics and vaccines against β-coronavirus infection. Bioengineered 2022; 13:9435-9454. [PMID: 35387556 PMCID: PMC9161909 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2060453] [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] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Betacoronaviruses (β-CoVs) have caused major viral outbreaks in the last two decades in the world. The mutation and recombination abilities in β-CoVs resulted in zoonotic diseases in humans. Proteins responsible for viral attachment and replication are highly conserved in β-CoVs. These conserved proteins have been extensively studied as targets for preventing infection and the spread of β-CoVs. Peptides are among the most promising candidates for developing vaccines and therapeutics against viral pathogens. The immunostimulatory and viral inhibitory potential of natural and synthetic peptides has been extensively studied since the SARS-CoV outbreak. Food-derived peptides demonstrating high antiviral activity can be used to develop effective therapeutics against β-CoVs. Specificity, tolerability, and customizability of peptides can be explored to develop potent drugs against β-CoVs. However, the proteolytic susceptibility and low bioavailability of peptides pose challenges for the development of therapeutics. This review illustrates the potential role of peptides in eliciting an adaptive immune response and inhibiting different stages of the β-CoV life cycle. Further, the challenges and future directions associated with developing peptide-based therapeutics and vaccines against existing and future β-CoV pathogens have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rounak Chourasia
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Srichandan Padhi
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Loreni Chiring Phukon
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Md Minhajul Abedin
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India
| | - Ranjana Sirohi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sudhir P Singh
- Centre of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (DBT-CIAB), Sector-81, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali- 140306, India
| | - Amit Kumar Rai
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Regional Centre, Tadong- 737102, India.,Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD), Mizoram Node, Aizawl, India
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35
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Xue W, Ding C, Qian K, Liao Y. The Interplay Between Coronavirus and Type I IFN Response. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:805472. [PMID: 35317429 PMCID: PMC8934427 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.805472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, newly evolved coronaviruses have posed a global threat to public health and animal breeding. To control and prevent the coronavirus-related diseases, understanding the interaction of the coronavirus and the host immune system is the top priority. Coronaviruses have evolved multiple mechanisms to evade or antagonize the host immune response to ensure their replication. As the first line and main component of innate immune response, type I IFN response is able to restrict virus in the initial infection stage; it is thus not surprising that the primary aim of the virus is to evade or antagonize the IFN response. Gaining a profound understanding of the interaction between coronaviruses and type I IFN response will shed light on vaccine development and therapeutics. In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge on strategies employed by coronaviruses to evade type I IFN response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiang Xue
- Department of Avian Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chan Ding
- Department of Avian Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kun Qian
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ying Liao
- Department of Avian Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Liao,
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Anjum F, Mohammad T, Asrani P, Shafie A, Singh S, Yadav DK, Uversky VN, Hassan MI. Identification of intrinsically disorder regions in non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2: New insights into drug and vaccine resistance. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:1607-1619. [PMID: 35211823 PMCID: PMC8869350 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04393-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019 and caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. It is a highly infectious pathogen that promptly spread. Like other beta coronaviruses, SARS‐CoV‐2 encodes some non-structural proteins (NSPs), playing crucial roles in viral transcription and replication. NSPs likely have essential roles in viral pathogenesis by manipulating many cellular processes. We performed a sequence-based analysis of NSPs to get insights into their intrinsic disorders, and their functions in viral replication were annotated and discussed in detail. Here, we provide newer insights into the structurally disordered regions of SARS-CoV-2 NSPs. Our analysis reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 proteome has a chunk of the disordered region that might be responsible for increasing its virulence. In addition, mutations in these regions are presumably responsible for drug and vaccine resistance. These findings suggested that the structurally disordered regions of SARS-CoV-2 NSPs might be invulnerable in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Anjum
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taj Mohammad
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Purva Asrani
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Alaa Shafie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP, Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Hambakmoeiro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon City, 21924, South Korea.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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N7-Methylation of the Coronavirus RNA Cap Is Required for Maximal Virulence by Preventing Innate Immune Recognition. mBio 2022; 13:e0366221. [PMID: 35073761 PMCID: PMC8787479 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03662-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus (CoV) disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Understanding the immunological and pathological processes of coronavirus diseases is crucial for the rational design of effective vaccines and therapies for COVID-19. Previous studies showed that 2'-O-methylation of the viral RNA cap structure is required to prevent the recognition of viral RNAs by intracellular innate sensors. Here, we demonstrate that the guanine N7-methylation of the 5' cap mediated by coronavirus nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14) contributes to viral evasion of the type I interferon (IFN-I)-mediated immune response and pathogenesis in mice. A Y414A substitution in nsp14 of the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) significantly decreased N7-methyltransferase activity and reduced guanine N7-methylation of the 5' cap in vitro. Infection of myeloid cells with recombinant MHV harboring the nsp14-Y414A mutation (rMHVnsp14-Y414A) resulted in upregulated expression of IFN-I and ISG15 mainly via MDA5 signaling and in reduced viral replication compared to that of wild-type rMHV. rMHVnsp14-Y414A replicated to lower titers in livers and brains and exhibited an attenuated phenotype in mice. This attenuated phenotype was IFN-I dependent because the virulence of the rMHVnsp14-Y414A mutant was restored in Ifnar-/- mice. We further found that the comparable mutation (Y420A) in SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 (rSARS-CoV-2nsp14-Y420A) also significantly decreased N7-methyltransferase activity in vitro, and the mutant virus was attenuated in K18-human ACE2 transgenic mice. Moreover, infection with rSARS-CoV-2nsp14-Y420A conferred complete protection against subsequent and otherwise lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice, indicating the vaccine potential of this mutant. IMPORTANCE Coronaviruses (CoVs), including SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, use several strategies to evade the host innate immune responses. While the cap structure of RNA, including CoV RNA, is important for translation, previous studies indicate that the cap also contributes to viral evasion from the host immune response. In this study, we demonstrate that the N7-methylated cap structure of CoV RNA is pivotal for virus immunoevasion. Using recombinant MHV and SARS-CoV-2 encoding an inactive N7-methyltransferase, we demonstrate that these mutant viruses are highly attenuated in vivo and that attenuation is apparent at very early times after infection. Virulence is restored in mice lacking interferon signaling. Further, we show that infection with virus defective in N7-methylation protects mice from lethal SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that the N7-methylase might be a useful target in drug and vaccine development.
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38
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Hamre J, Jafri MS. Optimizing peptide inhibitors of SARS-Cov-2 nsp10/nsp16 methyltransferase predicted through molecular simulation and machine learning. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022; 29:100886. [PMID: 35252541 PMCID: PMC8883729 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.100886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses, including the recent pandemic strain SARS-Cov-2, use a multifunctional 2′-O-methyltransferase (2′-O-MTase) to restrict the host defense mechanism and to methylate RNA. The nonstructural protein 16 2′-O-MTase (nsp16) becomes active when nonstructural protein 10 (nsp10) and nsp16 interact. Novel peptide drugs have shown promise in the treatment of numerous diseases and new research has established that nsp10 derived peptides can disrupt viral methyltransferase activity via interaction of nsp16. This study had the goal of optimizing new analogous nsp10 peptides that have the ability to bind nsp16 with equal to or higher affinity than those naturally occurring. The following research demonstrates that in silico molecular simulations can shed light on peptide structures and predict the potential of new peptides to interrupt methyltransferase activity via the nsp10/nsp16 interface. The simulations suggest that misalignments at residues F68, H80, I81, D94, and Y96 or rotation at H80 abrogate MTase function. We develop a new set of peptides based on conserved regions of the nsp10 protein in the Coronaviridae species and test these to known MTase variant values. This results in the prediction that the H80R variant is a solid new candidate for potential new testing. We envision that this new lead is the beginning of a reputable foundation of a new computational method that combats coronaviruses and that is beneficial for new peptide drug development.
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Qian Z, Li P, Tang X, Lu J. Evolutionary dynamics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 genomes. MEDICAL REVIEW (BERLIN, GERMANY) 2022; 2:3-22. [PMID: 35658106 PMCID: PMC9047652 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2021-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused immense losses in human lives and the global economy and posed significant challenges for global public health. As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, has evolved, thousands of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been identified across the viral genome. The roles of individual SNVs in the zoonotic origin, evolution, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have become the focus of many studies. This review summarizes recent comparative genomic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses (SC2r-CoVs) found in non-human animals, including delineation of SARS-CoV-2 lineages based on characteristic SNVs. We also discuss the current understanding of receptor-binding domain (RBD) evolution and characteristic mutations in variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2, as well as possible co-evolution between RBD and its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). We propose that the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and host RNA editing mechanisms might have partially resulted in the bias in nucleotide changes during SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Finally, we outline some current challenges, including difficulty in deciphering the complicated relationship between viral pathogenicity and infectivity of different variants, and monitoring transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between humans and animals as the pandemic progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Qian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Pei Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiaolu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100176, China
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Nencka R, Silhan J, Klima M, Otava T, Kocek H, Krafcikova P, Boura E. Coronaviral RNA-methyltransferases: function, structure and inhibition. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:635-650. [PMID: 35018474 PMCID: PMC8789044 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviral methyltransferases (MTases), nsp10/16 and nsp14, catalyze the last two steps of viral RNA-cap creation that takes place in cytoplasm. This cap is essential for the stability of viral RNA and, most importantly, for the evasion of innate immune system. Non-capped RNA is recognized by innate immunity which leads to its degradation and the activation of antiviral immunity. As a result, both coronaviral MTases are in the center of scientific scrutiny. Recently, X-ray and cryo-EM structures of both enzymes were solved even in complex with other parts of the viral replication complex. High-throughput screening as well as structure-guided inhibitor design have led to the discovery of their potent inhibitors. Here, we critically summarize the tremendous advancement of the coronaviral MTase field since the beginning of COVID pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Silhan
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Klima
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Otava
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Hugo Kocek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Krafcikova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Evzen Boura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Pizzato M, Baraldi C, Boscato Sopetto G, Finozzi D, Gentile C, Gentile MD, Marconi R, Paladino D, Raoss A, Riedmiller I, Ur Rehman H, Santini A, Succetti V, Volpini L. SARS-CoV-2 and the Host Cell: A Tale of Interactions. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2021.815388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The ability of a virus to spread between individuals, its replication capacity and the clinical course of the infection are macroscopic consequences of a multifaceted molecular interaction of viral components with the host cell. The heavy impact of COVID-19 on the world population, economics and sanitary systems calls for therapeutic and prophylactic solutions that require a deep characterization of the interactions occurring between virus and host cells. Unveiling how SARS-CoV-2 engages with host factors throughout its life cycle is therefore fundamental to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the viral infection and to design antiviral therapies and prophylactic strategies. Two years into the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this review provides an overview of the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the host cell, with focus on the machinery and compartments pivotal for virus replication and the antiviral cellular response. Starting with the interaction with the cell surface, following the virus replicative cycle through the characterization of the entry pathways, the survival and replication in the cytoplasm, to the mechanisms of egress from the infected cell, this review unravels the complex network of interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the host cell, highlighting the knowledge that has the potential to set the basis for the development of innovative antiviral strategies.
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Malone B, Urakova N, Snijder EJ, Campbell EA. Structures and functions of coronavirus replication-transcription complexes and their relevance for SARS-CoV-2 drug design. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:21-39. [PMID: 34824452 PMCID: PMC8613731 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00432-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 92.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has killed millions of people and continues to cause massive global upheaval. Coronaviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses with an unusually large genome of ~30 kb. They express an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and a cohort of other replication enzymes and supporting factors to transcribe and replicate their genomes. The proteins performing these essential processes are prime antiviral drug targets, but drug discovery is hindered by our incomplete understanding of coronavirus RNA synthesis and processing. In infected cells, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase must coordinate with other viral and host factors to produce both viral mRNAs and new genomes. Recent research aiming to decipher and contextualize the structures, functions and interplay of the subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 replication and transcription complex proteins has burgeoned. In this Review, we discuss recent advancements in our understanding of the molecular basis and complexity of the coronavirus RNA-synthesizing machinery. Specifically, we outline the mechanisms and regulation of RNA translation, replication and transcription. We also discuss the composition of the replication and transcription complexes and their suitability as targets for antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Malone
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA
| | - Nadya Urakova
- grid.10419.3d0000000089452978Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eric J. Snijder
- grid.10419.3d0000000089452978Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth A. Campbell
- grid.134907.80000 0001 2166 1519Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA
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Genomic, proteomic and metabolomic profiling of severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2. COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES FOR NOVEL THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC DESIGNING TO MITIGATE SARS-COV-2 INFECTION 2022. [PMCID: PMC9300679 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91172-6.00019-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the worst human health problems faced by humanity in recent centuries. An end to this health crisis relies on our ability to monitor viral transmission dynamics to check spread, develop therapeutics and preventatives for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and understand the pathophysiology of the disease for better management of the patients. Omics technologies have played a crucial part in understanding the different aspects of COVID-19 disease. While whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from across the globe has aided in the development of molecular diagnostic assays and informed about the viral evolution, knowledge of structure and function of viral proteome fueled the development of small molecule and biologicals therapeutics as well as vaccines. Concurrently, metabolomic profiling of samples from COVID-19 patients experiencing a varying level of disease severity has provided a snapshot of the pathophysiology of the disease helping device effective treatment regimen. This chapter deals with genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiling of SRAS-CoV-2.
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Exploring the Catalytic Mechanism of the RNA Cap Modification by nsp16-nsp10 Complex of SARS-CoV-2 through a QM/MM Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010300. [PMID: 35008724 PMCID: PMC8745711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of key enzymes that may contain the viral replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have assumed central importance in drug discovery projects. Nonstructural proteins (nsps) are essential for RNA capping and coronavirus replication since it protects the virus from host innate immune restriction. In particular, nonstructural protein 16 (nsp16) in complex with nsp10 is a Cap-0 binding enzyme. The heterodimer formed by nsp16-nsp10 methylates the 5′-end of virally encoded mRNAs to mimic cellular mRNAs and thus it is one of the enzymes that is a potential target for antiviral therapy. In this study, we have evaluated the mechanism of the 2′-O methylation of the viral mRNA cap using hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach. It was found that the calculated free energy barriers obtained at M062X/6-31+G(d,p) is in agreement with experimental observations. Overall, we provide a detailed molecular analysis of the catalytic mechanism involving the 2′-O methylation of the viral mRNA cap and, as expected, the results demonstrate that the TS stabilization is critical for the catalysis.
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Walker AP, Fan H, Keown JR, Knight ML, Grimes J, Fodor E. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase is a viral RNA capping enzyme. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:13019-13030. [PMID: 34850141 PMCID: PMC8682786 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense RNA virus responsible for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which continues to cause significant morbidity, mortality and economic strain. SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe respiratory disease and death in humans, highlighting the need for effective antiviral therapies. The RNA synthesis machinery of SARS-CoV-2 is an ideal drug target and consists of non-structural protein 12 (nsp12), which is directly responsible for RNA synthesis, and numerous co-factors involved in RNA proofreading and 5' capping of viral RNAs. The formation of the 5' 7-methylguanosine (m7G) cap structure is known to require a guanylyltransferase (GTase) as well as a 5' triphosphatase and methyltransferases; however, the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 RNA capping remains poorly understood. Here we find that SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 is involved in viral RNA capping as a GTase, carrying out the addition of a GTP nucleotide to the 5' end of viral RNA via a 5' to 5' triphosphate linkage. We further show that the nsp12 NiRAN (nidovirus RdRp-associated nucleotidyltransferase) domain performs this reaction, and can be inhibited by remdesivir triphosphate, the active form of the antiviral drug remdesivir. These findings improve understanding of coronavirus RNA synthesis and highlight a new target for novel or repurposed antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P Walker
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Haitian Fan
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Jeremy R Keown
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Michael L Knight
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Jonathan M Grimes
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Ervin Fodor
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
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In Silico Screening of Natural Products as Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Using Molecular Docking Simulation. Chin J Integr Med 2021; 28:249-256. [PMID: 34913151 PMCID: PMC8672856 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-021-3504-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective To explore potential natural products against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) via the study of structural and non-structural proteins of human coronaviruses. Methods In this study, we performed an in-silico survey of 25 potential natural compounds acting against SARS-CoV-2. Molecular docking studies were carried out using compounds against 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLPRO), papain-like protease (PLPRO), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), non-structural protein (nsp), human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor (hACE2R), spike glycoprotein (S protein), abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (ABL1), calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and transmembrane protease serine 2. Results Among the screened compounds, amentoflavone showed the best binding affinity with the 3CLPRO, RdRp, nsp13, nsp15, hACE2R. ABL1 and calcineurin-NFAT; berbamine with hACE2R and ABL1; cepharanthine with nsp10, nsp14, nsp16, S protein and ABL1; glucogallin with nsp15; and papyriflavonol A with PLPRO protein. Other good interacting compounds were juglanin, betulinic acid, betulonic acid, broussooflavan A, tomentin A, B and E, 7-methoxycryptopleurine, aloe emodin, quercetin, tanshinone I, tylophorine and furruginol, which also showed excellent binding affinity towards a number of target proteins. Most of these compounds showed better binding affinities towards the target proteins than the standard drugs used in this study. Conclusion Natural products or their derivatives may be one of the potential targets to fight against SARS-CoV-2. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary materials (Appendixes 1–6) are available in the online version of this article at DOI: 10.1007/s11655-021-3504-5
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Ogando NS, El Kazzi P, Zevenhoven-Dobbe JC, Bontes BW, Decombe A, Posthuma CC, Thiel V, Canard B, Ferron F, Decroly E, Snijder EJ. Structure-function analysis of the nsp14 N7-guanine methyltransferase reveals an essential role in Betacoronavirus replication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2108709118. [PMID: 34845015 PMCID: PMC8670481 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108709118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As coronaviruses (CoVs) replicate in the host cell cytoplasm, they rely on their own capping machinery to ensure the efficient translation of their messenger RNAs (mRNAs), protect them from degradation by cellular 5' exoribonucleases (ExoNs), and escape innate immune sensing. The CoV nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14) is a bifunctional replicase subunit harboring an N-terminal 3'-to-5' ExoN domain and a C-terminal (N7-guanine)-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) domain that is presumably involved in viral mRNA capping. Here, we aimed to integrate structural, biochemical, and virological data to assess the importance of conserved N7-MTase residues for nsp14's enzymatic activities and virus viability. We revisited the crystal structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV nsp14 to perform an in silico comparative analysis between betacoronaviruses. We identified several residues likely involved in the formation of the N7-MTase catalytic pocket, which presents a fold distinct from the Rossmann fold observed in most known MTases. Next, for SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV, site-directed mutagenesis of selected residues was used to assess their importance for in vitro enzymatic activity. Most of the engineered mutations abolished N7-MTase activity, while not affecting nsp14-ExoN activity. Upon reverse engineering of these mutations into different betacoronavirus genomes, we identified two substitutions (R310A and F426A in SARS-CoV nsp14) abrogating virus viability and one mutation (H424A) yielding a crippled phenotype across all viruses tested. Our results identify the N7-MTase as a critical enzyme for betacoronavirus replication and define key residues of its catalytic pocket that can be targeted to design inhibitors with a potential pan-coronaviral activity spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha S Ogando
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Priscila El Kazzi
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université 13288 Marseille, France
| | | | - Brenda W Bontes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alice Decombe
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Clara C Posthuma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) 3350 Bern, Switzerland
- De partment of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Canard
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université 13288 Marseille, France
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena 07743, Germany
| | - François Ferron
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université 13288 Marseille, France
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Etienne Decroly
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université 13288 Marseille, France;
| | - Eric J Snijder
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
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Li S, Yang F, Ma C, Cao W, Yang J, Zhao Z, Tian H, Zhu Z, Zheng H. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus nsp14 inhibits NF-κB pathway activation by targeting the IKK complex and p65. ANIMAL DISEASES 2021; 1:24. [PMID: 34778885 PMCID: PMC8514322 DOI: 10.1186/s44149-021-00025-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of related enveloped RNA viruses that have severe consequences in a wide variety of animals by causing respiratory, enteric or systemic diseases. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an economically important CoV distributed worldwide that causes diarrhea in pigs. nsp14 is a nonstructural protein of PEDV that is involved in regulation of innate immunity and viral replication. However, the function and mechanism by which nsp14 modulates and manipulates host immune responses remain largely unknown. Here, we report that PEDV nsp14 is an NF-κB pathway antagonist. Overexpression PEDV nsp14 protein remarkably decreases SeV-, poly (I:C)- and TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation. Meanwhile, expression of proinflammatory cytokines is suppressed by nsp14. nsp14 inhibits the phosphorylation of IKKs by interacting with IKKs and p65. Furthermore, nsp14 suppresses TNF-α-induced phosphorylation and nuclear import of p65. Overexpression nsp14 considerably increases PEDV replication. These results suggest a novel mechanism employed by PEDV to suppress the host antiviral response, providing insights that can guide the development of antivirals against CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Caina Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Weijun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Jinping Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Zhenxiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Hong Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Zixiang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
| | - Haixue Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046 China
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Saliu TP, Umar HI, Ogunsile OJ, Okpara MO, Yanaka N, Elekofehinti OO. Molecular docking and pharmacokinetic studies of phytocompounds from Nigerian Medicinal Plants as promising inhibitory agents against SARS-CoV-2 methyltransferase (nsp16). J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2021; 19:172. [PMID: 34751829 PMCID: PMC8576800 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-021-00273-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Since the index case was reported in China, COVID-19 has led to the death of at least 4 million people globally. Although there are some vaccine cocktails in circulation, the emergence of more virulent variants of SARS-CoV-2 may make the eradication of COVID-19 more difficult. Nsp16 is an S-adenosyl-L-Methionine-dependent methyltransferase that plays an important role in SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA cap formation—a crucial process that confers viral stability and prevents virus detection by cell innate immunity mechanisms. This unique property makes nsp16 a promising molecular target for COVID-19 drug design. Thus, this study aimed to identify potent phytocompounds that can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 nsp16. We performed in silico pharmacokinetic screening and molecular docking studies using 100 phytocompounds—isolated from fourteen Nigerian plants—as ligands and nsp16 (PDB: 6YZ1) as the target. Results We found that only 59 phytocompounds passed the drug-likeness analysis test. However, after the docking analysis, only six phytocompounds (oxopowelline, andrographolide, deacetylbowdensine, 11, 12-dimethyl sageone, sageone, and quercetin) isolated from four Nigerian plants (Crinum jagus, Andrographis paniculata, Sage plants (Salvia officinalis L.), and Anacardium occidentale) showed good binding affinity with nsp16 at its active site with docking score ranging from − 7.9 to − 8.4 kcal/mol. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the six phytocompounds could serve as therapeutic agents to prevent viral survival and replication in cells. However, further studies on the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activities of these 6 hit phytocompounds against SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 are needed to confirm their efficacy and dose. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43141-021-00273-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tolulope Peter Saliu
- Computational and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. .,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 4-4 Kagamiyama 1-chome, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan.
| | - Haruna I Umar
- Computational and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Olawale Johnson Ogunsile
- Computational and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Micheal O Okpara
- Computational and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Noriyuki Yanaka
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 4-4 Kagamiyama 1-chome, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan
| | - Olusola Olalekan Elekofehinti
- Computational and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
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Perry JK, Appleby TC, Bilello JP, Feng JY, Schmitz U, Campbell EA. An atomistic model of the coronavirus replication-transcription complex as a hexamer assembled around nsp15. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101218. [PMID: 34562452 PMCID: PMC8494237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 replication-transcription complex is an assembly of nonstructural viral proteins that collectively act to reproduce the viral genome and generate mRNA transcripts. While the structures of the individual proteins involved are known, how they assemble into a functioning superstructure is not. Applying molecular modeling tools, including protein-protein docking, to the available structures of nsp7-nsp16 and the nucleocapsid, we have constructed an atomistic model of how these proteins associate. Our principal finding is that the complex is hexameric, centered on nsp15. The nsp15 hexamer is capped on two faces by trimers of nsp14/nsp16/(nsp10)2, which then recruit six nsp12/nsp7/(nsp8)2 polymerase subunits to the complex. To this, six subunits of nsp13 are arranged around the superstructure, but not evenly distributed. Polymerase subunits that coordinate dimers of nsp13 are capable of binding the nucleocapsid, which positions the 5'-UTR TRS-L RNA over the polymerase active site, a state distinguishing transcription from replication. Analysis of the viral RNA path through the complex indicates the dsRNA that exits the polymerase passes over the nsp14 exonuclease and nsp15 endonuclease sites before being unwound by a convergence of zinc fingers from nsp10 and nsp14. The template strand is then directed away from the complex, while the nascent strand is directed to the sites responsible for mRNA capping. The model presents a cohesive picture of the multiple functions of the coronavirus replication-transcription complex and addresses fundamental questions related to proofreading, template switching, mRNA capping, and the role of the endonuclease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Joy Y Feng
- Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, California, USA
| | - Uli Schmitz
- Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Campbell
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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