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Liu D, Cruz-Cosme R, Wu Y, Leibowitz J, Tang Q. 2-Bromopalmitate depletes lipid droplets to inhibit viral replication. J Virol 2024; 98:e0017124. [PMID: 38488361 PMCID: PMC11019840 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00171-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The global impact of emerging viral infections emphasizes the urgent need for effective broad-spectrum antivirals. The cellular organelle, lipid droplet (LD), is utilized by many types of viruses for replication, but its reduction does not affect cell survival. Therefore, LD is a potential target for developing broad-spectrum antivirals. In this study, we found that 2-bromopalmitate (2 BP), a previously defined palmitoylation inhibitor, depletes LD across all studied cell lines and exerts remarkable antiviral effects on different coronaviruses. We comprehensively utilized 2 BP, alongside other palmitoylation inhibitors such as cerulenin and 2-fluoro palmitic acid (2-FPA), as well as the enhancer palmostatin B and evaluated their impact on LD and the replication of human coronaviruses (hCoV-229E, hCoV-Oc43) and murine hepatitis virus (MHV-A59) at non-cytotoxic concentrations. While cerulenin and 2-FPA exhibited moderate inhibition of viral replication, 2 BP exhibited a much stronger suppressive effect on MHV-A59 replication, although they share similar inhibitory effects on palmitoylation. As expected, palmostatin B significantly enhanced viral replication, it failed to rescue the inhibitory effects of 2 BP, whereas it effectively counteracted the effects of cerulenin and 2-FPA. This suggests that the mechanism that 2 BP used to inhibit viral replication is beyond palmitoylation inhibition. Further investigations unveil that 2 BP uniquely depletes LDs, a phenomenon not exhibited by 2-FPA and cerulenin. Importantly, the depletion of LDs was closely associated with the inhibition of viral replication because the addition of oleic acid to 2 BP significantly rescued LD depletion and its inhibitory effects on MHV-A59. Our findings indicate that the inhibitory effects of 2 BP on viral replication primarily stem from LD disruption rather than palmitoylation inhibition. Intriguingly, fatty acid (FA) assays demonstrated that 2 BP reduces the FA level in mitochondria while concurrently increasing FA levels in the cytoplasm. These results highlight the crucial role of LDs in viral replication and uncover a novel biological activity of 2 BP. These insights contribute to the development of broad-spectrum antiviral strategies. IMPORTANCE In our study, we conducted a comparative investigation into the antiviral effects of palmitoylation inhibitors including 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), 2-fluoro palmitic acid (2-FPA), and cerulenin. Surprisingly, we discovered that 2-BP has superior inhibitory effects on viral replication compared to 2-FPA and cerulenin. However, their inhibitory effects on palmitoylation were the same. Intrigued by this finding, we delved deeper into the underlying mechanism of 2-BP's potent antiviral activity, and we unveiled a novel biological activity of 2-BP: depletion of lipid droplets (LDs). Importantly, we also highlighted the crucial role of LDs in viral replication. Our insights shed new light on the antiviral mechanism of LD depletion paving the way for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral strategies by targeting LDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxiao Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ruth Cruz-Cosme
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yong Wu
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Department of Internal Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine and UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Julian Leibowitz
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Qiyi Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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2
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Hussein HAM, Thabet AA, Wardany AA, El-Adly AM, Ali M, Hassan MEA, Abdeldayem MAB, Mohamed ARMA, Sobhy A, El-Mokhtar MA, Afifi MM, Fathy SM, Sultan S. SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: role of viral proteins and genomic diversity in virus infection and COVID-19 progression. Virol J 2024; 21:75. [PMID: 38539202 PMCID: PMC10967059 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02342-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); a severe respiratory distress that has emerged from the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, China during December 2019. COVID-19 is currently the major global health problem and the disease has now spread to most countries in the world. COVID-19 has profoundly impacted human health and activities worldwide. Genetic mutation is one of the essential characteristics of viruses. They do so to adapt to their host or to move to another one. Viral genetic mutations have a high potentiality to impact human health as these mutations grant viruses unique unpredicted characteristics. The difficulty in predicting viral genetic mutations is a significant obstacle in the field. Evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 has a variety of genetic mutations and genomic diversity with obvious clinical consequences and implications. In this review, we comprehensively summarized and discussed the currently available knowledge regarding SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks with a fundamental focus on the role of the viral proteins and their mutations in viral infection and COVID-19 progression. We also summarized the clinical implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants and how they affect the disease severity and hinder vaccine development. Finally, we provided a massive phylogenetic analysis of the spike gene of 214 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from different geographical regions all over the world and their associated clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosni A M Hussein
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Ali A Thabet
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Wardany
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M El-Adly
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed E A Hassan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A B Abdeldayem
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt
| | | | - Ali Sobhy
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, 71524, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos Campus, Lebanon
| | - Magdy M Afifi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samah M Fathy
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt.
| | - Serageldeen Sultan
- Department of Microbiology, Virology Division, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, South Valley University, 83523, Qena, Egypt.
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3
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Eltayeb A, Al-Sarraj F, Alharbi M, Albiheyri R, Mattar E, Abu Zeid IM, Bouback TA, Bamagoos A, Aljohny BO, Uversky VN, Redwan EM. Overview of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129523. [PMID: 38232879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Since the emergence of SARS-CoV in 2003, researchers worldwide have been toiling away at deciphering this virus's biological intricacies. In line with other known coronaviruses, the nucleocapsid (N) protein is an important structural component of SARS-CoV. As a result, much emphasis has been placed on characterizing this protein. Independent research conducted by a variety of laboratories has clearly demonstrated the primary function of this protein, which is to encapsidate the viral genome. Furthermore, various accounts indicate that this particular protein disrupts diverse intracellular pathways. Such observations imply its vital role in regulating the virus as well. The opening segment of this review will expound upon these distinct characteristics succinctly exhibited by the N protein. Additionally, it has been suggested that the N protein possesses diagnostic and vaccine capabilities when dealing with SARS-CoV. In light of this fact, we will be reviewing some recent headway in the use cases for N protein toward clinical purposes within this article's concluding segments. This forward movement pertains to both developments of COVID-19-oriented therapeutic targets as well as diagnostic measures. The strides made by medical researchers offer encouragement, knowing they are heading toward a brighter future combating global pandemic situations such as these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Eltayeb
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Al-Sarraj
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Alharbi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raed Albiheyri
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Mattar
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Isam M Abu Zeid
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al-Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamer A Bouback
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al-Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Atif Bamagoos
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bassam O Aljohny
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory, Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg EL-Arab, 21934 Alexandria, Egypt.
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Desmarets L, Danneels A, Burlaud-Gaillard J, Blanchard E, Dubuisson J, Belouzard S. The KxGxYR and DxE motifs in the C-tail of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus membrane protein are crucial for infectious virus assembly. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:353. [PMID: 37940699 PMCID: PMC10632273 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05008-y] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus' (CoV) membrane (M) protein is the driving force during assembly, but this process remains poorly characterized. Previously, we described two motifs in the C-tail of the Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) M protein involved in its endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit (211DxE213) and trans-Golgi network (TGN) retention (199KxGxYR204). Here, their function in virus assembly was investigated by two different virus-like particle (VLP) assays and by mutating both motifs in an infectious MERS-CoV cDNA clone. It was shown that the 199KxGxYR204 motif was essential for VLP and infectious virus assembly. Moreover, the mislocalization of the M protein induced by mutation of this motif prevented M-E interaction. Hampering the ER export of M by mutating its 211DxE213 motif still allowed the formation of nucleocapsid-empty VLPs, but prevented the formation of fully assembled VLPs and infectious particles. Taken together, these data show that the MERS-CoV assembly process highly depends on the correct intracellular trafficking of its M protein, and hence that not only specific protein-protein interacting motifs but also correct subcellular localization of the M protein in infected cells is essential for virus formation and should be taken into consideration when studying the assembly process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lowiese Desmarets
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Adeline Danneels
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Julien Burlaud-Gaillard
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
- Plate-Forme IBiSA de Microscopie Electronique, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Emmanuelle Blanchard
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
- Plate-Forme IBiSA de Microscopie Electronique, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Sandrine Belouzard
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, 59000, Lille, France.
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5
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Chen P, Wu M, He Y, Jiang B, He ML. Metabolic alterations upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and potential therapeutic targets against coronavirus infection. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:237. [PMID: 37286535 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01510-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection has become a global pandemic due to the high viral transmissibility and pathogenesis, bringing enormous burden to our society. Most patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Although only a small proportion of patients progressed to severe COVID-19 with symptoms including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), disseminated coagulopathy, and cardiovascular disorders, severe COVID-19 is accompanied by high mortality rates with near 7 million deaths. Nowadays, effective therapeutic patterns for severe COVID-19 are still lacking. It has been extensively reported that host metabolism plays essential roles in various physiological processes during virus infection. Many viruses manipulate host metabolism to avoid immunity, facilitate their own replication, or to initiate pathological response. Targeting the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and host metabolism holds promise for developing therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent studies dedicated to uncovering the role of host metabolism during the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 in aspects of entry, replication, assembly, and pathogenesis with an emphasis on glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. Microbiota and long COVID-19 are also discussed. Ultimately, we recapitulate metabolism-modulating drugs repurposed for COVID-19 including statins, ASM inhibitors, NSAIDs, Montelukast, omega-3 fatty acids, 2-DG, and metformin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiran Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mandi Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yaqing He
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Binghua Jiang
- Cell Signaling and Proteomic Center, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ming-Liang He
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China.
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6
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Kicmal T, Qing E, Hawkins GM, Wilcox A, Gallagher T. A cell-free platform to measure coronavirus membrane fusion. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102189. [PMID: 36952334 PMCID: PMC9986121 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we present a protocol to measure coronavirus-mediated membrane fusion, an essential event in coronavirus cell entry. The approach uses nanoluciferase (Nluc) "HiBiT"-tagged corona virus-like particles (VLPs) and Nluc "LgBiT"-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) as proxies for virus and cell, respectively. VLP-EV membrane fusion allows HiBiT and LgBiT to combine into measurable Nluc, which signifies virus fusion with target cell membranes. We highlight assay utility with methods to assess coronavirus-mediated fusion and its inhibition by antibodies and antiviral agents. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Qing et al. (2021),1 Qing et al. (2022),2 and Marcink et al. (2022).3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kicmal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
| | - Enya Qing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Grant M Hawkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Alexandria Wilcox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
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7
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Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious airborne viral pneumonia caused by a novel virus belonging to the family coronaviridae. On February 11, 2019, the Internal Committee on Taxonomy of Virus (ICTV) announced the name of the novel virus as "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). One of the proteins present on its membrane i.e. the Spike protein is responsible for the attachment of the virus to the host. It spreads through the salivary droplets released when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The best way to slow down the disease is by protecting self by washing hands and using the disinfectant. Most of the infected people experience mild to moderate breathing issues. Serious illness might develop in people with underlying cardiovascular problems, diabetes and other immuno-compromised diseases. To date, there is no effective medicine available in the market which is effective in COVID-19. However, healthcare professionals are using ritonavir, flavipiravir, lopinavir, hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir. Along with the medicines, some countries are using convalescent plasma and mesenchymal stem cells for treatment. Till date, it has claimed millions of death worldwide. In this detailed review, we have discussed the structure of SARS-CoV-2, essential proteins, its lifecycle, transmission, symptoms, pathology, clinical features, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and epidemiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heena Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Md Iftekhar Ahmad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shri Gopichand College of Pharmacy, Baghpat, India
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8
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Garza-Domínguez R, Torres-Quiroz F. Evolutionary Signals in Coronaviral Structural Proteins Suggest Possible Complex Mechanisms of Post-Translational Regulation in SARS-CoV-2 Virus. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112469. [PMID: 36366566 PMCID: PMC9696223 DOI: 10.3390/v14112469] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational regulation of proteins has emerged as a central topic of research in the field of functional proteomics. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) dynamically control the activities of proteins and are involved in a wide range of biological processes. Crosstalk between different types of PTMs represents a key mechanism of regulation and signaling. Due to the current pandemic of the novel and dangerous SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) virus, here we present an in silico analysis of different types of PTMs in structural proteins of coronaviruses. A dataset of PTM sites was studied at three levels: conservation analysis, mutational analysis and crosstalk analysis. We identified two sets of PTMs which could have important functional roles in the regulation of the structural proteins of coronaviruses. Additionally, we found seven interesting signals of potential crosstalk events. These results reveal a higher level of complexity in the mechanisms of post-translational regulation of coronaviral proteins and provide new insights into the adaptation process of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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9
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Yang R, Wu S, Wang S, Rubino G, Nickels JD, Cheng X. Refinement of SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein structure in a native-like environment by molecular dynamics simulations. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1027223. [PMID: 36299297 PMCID: PMC9589232 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1027223] [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: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has become an unprecedented threat to human health. The SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein plays a critical role in the viral maturation process and pathogenesis. Despite intensive investigation, its structure in physiological conditions remains mysterious: no high-resolution full-length structure is available and only an NMR structure of the transmembrane (TM) region has been determined. Here, we present a refined E protein structure, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate its structure and dynamics in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayer system. Our initial homology model based upon the SARS-CoV E protein structure is shown to be unstable in the lipid bilayer, and the H3 helices tend to move away from the membrane center to the membrane-water interface. A more stable model was developed by replacing all H3 helices with the fully equilibrated H3 structure sampled in the MD simulations. This refined model exhibited more favorable contacts with lipids and water than the original homology model and induced local membrane curvature, decreasing local lipid order. Interestingly, the pore radius profiles showed that the channel in both homology and refined models remained in a closed state throughout the simulations. We also demonstrated the utility of this structure to develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs by docking a library of FDA-approved, investigational, and experimental drugs to the refined E protein structure, identifying 20 potential channel blockers. This highlights the power of MD simulations to refine low-resolution structures of membrane proteins in a native-like membrane environment, shedding light on the structural features of the E protein and providing a platform for the development of novel antiviral treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Sijin Wu
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sijin Wu, ; Jonathan D. Nickels, ; Xiaolin Cheng,
| | - Shen Wang
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Grace Rubino
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jonathan D. Nickels
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sijin Wu, ; Jonathan D. Nickels, ; Xiaolin Cheng,
| | - Xiaolin Cheng
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Sijin Wu, ; Jonathan D. Nickels, ; Xiaolin Cheng,
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Mekhail K, Lee M, Sugiyama M, Astori A, St-Germain J, Latreille E, Khosraviani N, Wei K, Li Z, Rini J, Lee WL, Antonescu C, Raught B, Fairn GD. Fatty Acid Synthase inhibitor TVB-3166 prevents S-acylation of the Spike protein of human coronaviruses. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100256. [PMID: 35921881 PMCID: PMC9339154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other coronaviruses mediates host cell entry and is S-acylated on multiple phylogenetically conserved cysteine residues. Multiple protein acyltransferase enzymes have been reported to post-translationally modify spike proteins; however, strategies to exploit this modification are lacking. Using resin-assisted capture MS, we demonstrate that the spike protein is S-acylated in SARS-CoV-2-infected human and monkey epithelial cells. We further show that increased abundance of the acyltransferase ZDHHC5 associates with increased S-acylation of the spike protein, whereas ZDHHC5 knockout cells had a 40% reduction in the incorporation of an alkynyl-palmitate using click chemistry detection. We also found that the S-acylation of the spike protein is not limited to palmitate, as clickable versions of myristate and stearate were also labelled the protein. Yet, we observed that ZDHHC5 was only modified when incubated with alkyne-palmitate, suggesting it has specificity for this acyl-CoA, and that other ZDHHC enzymes may use additional fatty acids to modify the spike protein. Since multiple ZDHHC isoforms may modify the spike protein, we also examined the ability of the FASN inhibitor TVB-3166 to prevent S-acylation of the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and human CoV-229E. We show that treating cells with TVB-3166 inhibited S-acylation of expressed spike proteins and attenuated the ability of SARS-CoV-2 and human CoV-229E to spread in vitro. Our findings further substantiate the necessity of CoV spike protein S-acylation and demonstrate that de novo fatty acid synthesis is critical for the proper S-acylation of the spike protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Mekhail
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Minhyoung Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Audrey Astori
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Elyse Latreille
- Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Negar Khosraviani
- Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kuiru Wei
- Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Rini
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Warren L Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Costin Antonescu
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian Raught
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory D Fairn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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11
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Xia X, Cheng A, Wang M, Ou X, Sun D, Mao S, Huang J, Yang Q, Wu Y, Chen S, Zhang S, Zhu D, Jia R, Liu M, Zhao XX, Gao Q, Tian B. Functions of Viroporins in the Viral Life Cycle and Their Regulation of Host Cell Responses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:890549. [PMID: 35720341 PMCID: PMC9202500 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.890549] [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: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viroporins are virally encoded transmembrane proteins that are essential for viral pathogenicity and can participate in various stages of the viral life cycle, thereby promoting viral proliferation. Viroporins have multifaceted effects on host cell biological functions, including altering cell membrane permeability, triggering inflammasome formation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and evading immune responses, thereby ensuring that the virus completes its life cycle. Viroporins are also virulence factors, and their complete or partial deletion often reduces virion release and reduces viral pathogenicity, highlighting the important role of these proteins in the viral life cycle. Thus, viroporins represent a common drug-protein target for inhibiting drugs and the development of antiviral therapies. This article reviews current studies on the functions of viroporins in the viral life cycle and their regulation of host cell responses, with the aim of improving the understanding of this growing family of viral proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Xia
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Xumin Ou
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Di Sun
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Sai Mao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Xin-Xin Zhao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Qun Gao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
| | - Bin Tian
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China.,Avian Disease Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu City, China
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12
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Kung YA, Lee KM, Chiang HJ, Huang SY, Wu CJ, Shih SR. Molecular Virology of SARS-CoV-2 and Related Coronaviruses. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0002621. [PMID: 35343760 PMCID: PMC9199417 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00026-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the lives of hundreds of millions of people, with a severe negative impact on the global economy. Although several COVID-19 vaccines are currently being administered, none of them is 100% effective. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 variants remain an important worldwide public health issue. Hence, the accelerated development of efficacious antiviral agents is urgently needed. Coronavirus depends on various host cell factors for replication. An ongoing research objective is the identification of host factors that could be exploited as targets for drugs and compounds effective against SARS-CoV-2. In the present review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses, focusing on the host factors or pathways involved in SARS-CoV-2 replication that have been identified by genome-wide CRISPR screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-An Kung
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Ming Lee
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Huan-Jung Chiang
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yu Huang
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Jung Wu
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Ru Shih
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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13
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Kuzmin A, Orekhov P, Astashkin R, Gordeliy V, Gushchin I. Structure and dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein monomer. Proteins 2022; 90:1102-1114. [PMID: 35119706 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses, especially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), present an ongoing threat to human wellbeing. Consequently, elucidation of molecular determinants of their function and interaction with the host is an important task. Whereas some of the coronaviral proteins are extensively characterized, others remain understudied. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the structure and dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein (a viroporin) in the monomeric form. The protein consists of the hydrophobic α-helical transmembrane domain (TMD) and amphiphilic α-helices H2 and H3, connected by flexible linkers. We show that TMD has a preferable orientation in the membrane, while H2 and H3 reside at the membrane surface. Orientation of H2 is strongly influenced by palmitoylation of cysteines Cys40, Cys43, and Cys44. Glycosylation of Asn66 affects the orientation of H3. We also observe that the monomeric E protein both generates and senses the membrane curvature, preferably localizing with the C-terminus at the convex regions of the membrane; the protein in the pentameric form displays these properties as well. Localization to curved regions may be favorable for assembly of the E protein oligomers, whereas induction of curvature may facilitate the budding of the viral particles. The presented results may be helpful for a better understanding of the function of the coronaviral E protein and viroporins in general, and for overcoming the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kuzmin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Philipp Orekhov
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Roman Astashkin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia.,Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Valentin Gordeliy
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia.,Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble, France.,Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany.,JuStruct: Jülich Center for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ivan Gushchin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
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14
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Breitinger U, Farag NS, Sticht H, Breitinger HG. Viroporins: Structure, function, and their role in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 145:106185. [PMID: 35219876 PMCID: PMC8868010 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Viroporins are indispensable for viral replication. As intracellular ion channels they disturb pH gradients of organelles and allow Ca2+ flux across ER membranes. Viroporins interact with numerous intracellular proteins and pathways and can trigger inflammatory responses. Thus, they are relevant targets in the search for antiviral drugs. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) underlies the world-wide pandemic of COVID-19, where an effective therapy is still lacking despite impressive progress in the development of vaccines and vaccination campaigns. Among the 29 proteins of SARS-CoV-2, the E- and ORF3a proteins have been identified as viroporins that contribute to the massive release of inflammatory cytokines observed in COVID-19. Here, we describe structure and function of viroporins and their role in inflammasome activation and cellular processes during the virus replication cycle. Techniques to study viroporin function are presented, with a focus on cellular and electrophysiological assays. Contributions of SARS-CoV-2 viroporins to the viral life cycle are discussed with respect to their structure, channel function, binding partners, and their role in viral infection and virus replication. Viroporin sequences of new variants of concern (α–ο) of SARS-CoV-2 are briefly reviewed as they harbour changes in E and 3a proteins that may affect their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Breitinger
- Department of Biochemistry, German University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha S Farag
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, German University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Division of Bioinformatics, Institute for Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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15
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Hassanein SS, Sharaby MR, Tawfik NM, Rashed SA, Adel M, Fayez A, Mansour H, Amer HM. Latest insights on the diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies of COVID-19. Intervirology 2022; 65:167-180. [PMID: 35249006 PMCID: PMC9148896 DOI: 10.1159/000522336] [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: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 has emerged as the most serious pandemic in the 21st century to date. COVID-19 patients may develop various disease symptoms that hinder the accurate clinical diagnosis. Summary Routine diagnosis of COVID-19 requires complementary investigations, including computed tomography, immunological assays, and molecular assays like real-time RT-PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification, metagenomic next-generation sequencing, and clusters of regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-based assays. Clinically approved antiviral drugs available for the COVID-19 treatment are very limited. The most common measurements that enhance health condition and patients' viability are conservation fluid management, oxygen therapy, and antibiotics. Several therapeutic options have been developed or repurposed to prevent virus replication and/or modulate the immune response against virus infection. These options include various drugs that affect virus entry and membrane fusion, inhibit polymerase and protease activity, suppress the host pro-inflammatory cytokines, and utilize cell therapy approaches. Key Messages In this review, we aimed to provide an up-to-date discussion on the current diagnostic options and therapeutic strategies used to control and manage COVID-19 in clinical and point-of-care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Hassanein
- Basic and Applied Sciences (BAS) Institute, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Muhammed R. Sharaby
- Basic and Applied Sciences (BAS) Institute, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Noran M. Tawfik
- Basic and Applied Sciences (BAS) Institute, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Suzan A. Rashed
- Basic and Applied Sciences (BAS) Institute, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Adel
- Basic and Applied Sciences (BAS) Institute, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ayat Fayez
- Basic and Applied Sciences (BAS) Institute, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Heba Mansour
- Basic and Applied Sciences (BAS) Institute, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt
- Polymeric Materials Research Department, Advanced Technology and New Materials Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Haitham M. Amer
- Virology Department, Faculty of Medicine Veterinary, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- *Haitham M. Amer,
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16
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Li X, Shen L, Xu Z, Liu W, Li A, Xu J. Protein Palmitoylation Modification During Viral Infection and Detection Methods of Palmitoylated Proteins. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:821596. [PMID: 35155279 PMCID: PMC8829041 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.821596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein palmitoylation—a lipid modification in which one or more cysteine thiols on a substrate protein are modified to form a thioester with a palmitoyl group—is a significant post-translational biological process. This process regulates the trafficking, subcellular localization, and stability of different proteins in cells. Since palmitoylation participates in various biological processes, it is related to the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. It has been well evidenced that the proteins whose functions are palmitoylation-dependent or directly involved in key proteins’ palmitoylation/depalmitoylation cycle may be a potential source of novel therapeutic drugs for the related diseases. Many researchers have reported palmitoylation of proteins, which are crucial for host-virus interactions during viral infection. Quite a few explorations have focused on figuring out whether targeting the acylation of viral or host proteins might be a strategy to combat viral diseases. All these remarkable achievements in protein palmitoylation have been made to technological advances. This paper gives an overview of protein palmitoylation modification during viral infection and the methods for palmitoylated protein detection. Future challenges and potential developments are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Li
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingyi Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhao Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Aihua Li
- Clinical Lab, Henan Provincial Chest Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Xu, ;
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17
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Wang B, Zhong C, Tieleman DP. Supramolecular Organization of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 Virions Revealed by Coarse-Grained Models of Intact Virus Envelopes. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:176-186. [PMID: 34911299 PMCID: PMC8691453 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing a global health crisis and has already caused a devastating societal and economic burden. The pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has a high sequence and architecture identity with SARS-CoV, but far more people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2. Here, combining the structural data from cryo-electron microscopy and structure prediction, we constructed bottom-up Martini coarse-grained models of intact SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 envelopes. Microsecond molecular dynamics simulations were performed, allowing us to explore their dynamics and supramolecular organization. Both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 envelopes present a spherical morphology, with structural proteins forming multiple string-like islands in the membrane and clusters between the heads of spike proteins. Critical differences between the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 envelopes are the interaction pattern between the spike proteins and the flexibility of the spike proteins. Our models provide structural and dynamic insights into the SARS virus envelopes and could be used for further investigation, such as drug design and membrane fusion and fission processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wang
- Centre for Advanced Materials Research, Advanced
Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at
Zhuhai, No. 18 Jinfeng Road, Zhuhai 519087, Guangdong,
China
| | - Changqing Zhong
- Centre for Informational Biology, School of Life
Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of
China, 2006 Xiyuan Avenue, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan,
China
| | - D. Peter Tieleman
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for
Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, 2500 University
Drive North West, Calgary T2N 1N4, Alberta, Canada
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18
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Prates-Syed WA, Chaves LCS, Crema KP, Vuitika L, Lira A, Côrtes N, Kersten V, Guimarães FEG, Sadraeian M, Barroso da Silva FL, Cabral-Marques O, Barbuto JAM, Russo M, Câmara NOS, Cabral-Miranda G. VLP-Based COVID-19 Vaccines: An Adaptable Technology against the Threat of New Variants. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1409. [PMID: 34960155 PMCID: PMC8708688 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9121409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are a versatile, safe, and highly immunogenic vaccine platform. Recently, there are developmental vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic affected humanity worldwide, bringing out incomputable human and financial losses. The race for better, more efficacious vaccines is happening almost simultaneously as the virus increasingly produces variants of concern (VOCs). The VOCs Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta share common mutations mainly in the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), demonstrating convergent evolution, associated with increased transmissibility and immune evasion. Thus, the identification and understanding of these mutations is crucial for the production of new, optimized vaccines. The use of a very flexible vaccine platform in COVID-19 vaccine development is an important feature that cannot be ignored. Incorporating the spike protein and its variations into VLP vaccines is a desirable strategy as the morphology and size of VLPs allows for better presentation of several different antigens. Furthermore, VLPs elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses, which are safe, and have been studied not only against SARS-CoV-2 but against other coronaviruses as well. Here, we describe the recent advances and improvements in vaccine development using VLP technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim A. Prates-Syed
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Lorena C. S. Chaves
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Claudia Nance Rollins Building, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA;
| | - Karin P. Crema
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa Vuitika
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | - Aline Lira
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Nelson Côrtes
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Victor Kersten
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | | | - Mohammad Sadraeian
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, IFSC-USP, São Carlos 13566590, SP, Brazil; (F.E.G.G.); (M.S.)
- Institute for Biomedical Materials & Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Fernando L. Barroso da Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040903, SP, Brazil;
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engeneering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Otávio Cabral-Marques
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Children’s Medical Center, Tehran 1419733151, Iran
| | - José A. M. Barbuto
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 0124690, SP, Brazil
| | - Momtchilo Russo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | - Niels O. S. Câmara
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | - Gustavo Cabral-Miranda
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
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19
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Naskalska A, Dabrowska A, Szczepanski A, Jasik KP, Gromadzka B, Pyrc K. Functional Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Virus-Like Particles From Insect Cells. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:732998. [PMID: 34745036 PMCID: PMC8565087 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.732998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a major epidemic threat since the beginning of 2020. Efforts to combat the virus and the associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease are being undertaken worldwide. To facilitate the research on the virus itself, a number of surrogate systems have been developed. Here, we report the efficient production of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs) in insect cells. Contrary to widely used pseudovirus particles, where only one coronaviral protein is displayed within a heterologous scaffold, developed VLPs are structurally similar to the native virus and allow for more throughput studies on the biology of the infection. On the other hand, being devoid of the viral genome, VLPs are unable to replicate and thus safe to work with. Importantly, this is the first report showing that SARS-CoV-2 VLPs can be efficiently produced in insect cells and purified using scalable affinity chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonina Naskalska
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dabrowska
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Artur Szczepanski
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Krzysztof P Jasik
- Department of Pathology, School of Pharmacy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Beata Gromadzka
- Department of "in vitro" Studies, Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Gdańsk, Poland.,NanoExpo®, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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20
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Identification of ZDHHC17 as a Potential Drug Target for Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus Infection. mBio 2021; 12:e0234221. [PMID: 34700373 PMCID: PMC8546599 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02342-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence and spread of zoonotic viruses highlights that animal-sourced viruses are the biggest threat to global public health. Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) is an HKU2-related bat coronavirus that was spilled over from Rhinolophus bats to swine, causing large-scale outbreaks of severe diarrhea disease in piglets in China. Unlike other porcine coronaviruses, SADS-CoV possesses broad species tissue tropism, including primary human cells, implying a significant risk of cross-species spillover. To explore host dependency factors for SADS-CoV as therapeutic targets, we employed genome-wide CRISPR knockout library screening in HeLa cells. Consistent with two independent screens, we identified the zinc finger DHHC-type palmitoyltransferase 17 (ZDHHC17 or ZD17) as an important host factor for SADS-CoV infection. Through truncation mutagenesis, we demonstrated that the DHHC domain of ZD17 that is involved in palmitoylation is important for SADS-CoV infection. Mechanistic studies revealed that ZD17 is required for SADS-CoV genomic RNA replication. Treatment of infected cells with the palmitoylation inhibitor 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP) significantly suppressed SADS-CoV infection. Our findings provide insight on SADS-CoV-host interactions and a potential therapeutic application.
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21
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Mesquita FS, Abrami L, Sergeeva O, Turelli P, Qing E, Kunz B, Raclot C, Paz Montoya J, Abriata LA, Gallagher T, Dal Peraro M, Trono D, D'Angelo G, van der Goot FG. S-acylation controls SARS-CoV-2 membrane lipid organization and enhances infectivity. Dev Cell 2021; 56:2790-2807.e8. [PMID: 34599882 PMCID: PMC8486083 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virions are surrounded by a lipid bilayer that contains membrane proteins such as spike, responsible for target-cell binding and virus fusion. We found that during SARS-CoV-2 infection, spike becomes lipid modified, through the sequential action of the S-acyltransferases ZDHHC20 and 9. Particularly striking is the rapid acylation of spike on 10 cytosolic cysteines within the ER and Golgi. Using a combination of computational, lipidomics, and biochemical approaches, we show that this massive lipidation controls spike biogenesis and degradation, and drives the formation of localized ordered cholesterol and sphingolipid-rich lipid nanodomains in the early Golgi, where viral budding occurs. Finally, S-acylation of spike allows the formation of viruses with enhanced fusion capacity. Our study points toward S-acylating enzymes and lipid biosynthesis enzymes as novel therapeutic anti-viral targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laurence Abrami
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oksana Sergeeva
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Priscilla Turelli
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Enya Qing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Béatrice Kunz
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Charlène Raclot
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan Paz Montoya
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luciano A Abriata
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Matteo Dal Peraro
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Didier Trono
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni D'Angelo
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
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22
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Sun S, Karki C, Aguilera J, Hernandez AEL, Sun J, Li L. Computational Study on the Function of Palmitoylation on the Envelope Protein in SARS-CoV-2. J Chem Theory Comput 2021; 17:6483-6490. [PMID: 34516136 PMCID: PMC8457325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 that caused COVID-19 has spread since the end of 2019. Its major effects resulted in over four million deaths around the whole world by August 2021. Therefore, understanding virulence mechanisms is important to prevent future outbreaks and for COVID-19 drug development. The envelope (E) protein is an important structural protein, affecting virus assembly and budding. The E protein pentamer is a viroporin, serving as an ion transferring channel in cells. In this work, we applied molecular dynamic simulations and topological and electrostatic analyses to study the effects of palmitoylation on the E protein pentamer. The results indicate that the cation transferring direction is more from the lumen to the cytosol. The structure of the palmitoylated E protein pentamer is more stable while the loss of palmitoylation caused the pore radius to reduce and even collapse. The electrostatic forces on the two sides of the palmitoylated E protein pentamer are more beneficial to attract cations in the lumen and to release cations into the cytosol. The results indicate the importance of palmitoylation, which can help the drug design for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengjie Sun
- Computational Science Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Chitra Karki
- Computational Science Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Javier Aguilera
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Alan E Lopez Hernandez
- Computational Science Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Jianjun Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Lin Li
- Computational Science Program, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, TX, 79968, USA
- Department of Physics, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Ave, TX, 79968, USA
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23
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Biochemical composition, transmission and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:229295. [PMID: 34291285 PMCID: PMC8350435 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2), a novel human coronavirus. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by World Health Organization in March 2020 for its continuous and rapid spread worldwide. Rapidly emerging COVID-19 epicenters and mutants of concerns have created mammoth chaos in healthcare sectors across the globe. With over 185 million infections and approximately 4 million deaths globally, COVID-19 continues its unchecked spread despite all mitigation measures. Until effective and affordable antiretroviral drugs are made available and the population at large is vaccinated, timely diagnosis of the infection and adoption of COVID-appropriate behavior remains major tool available to curtail the still escalating COVID-19 pandemic. This review provides an updated overview of various techniques of COVID-19 testing in human samples and also discusses, in brief, the biochemical composition and mode of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2. Technological advancement in various molecular, serological and immunological techniques including mainly the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), CRISPR, lateral flow assays (LFAs), and immunosensors are reviewed.
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24
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Williams CG, Jureka AS, Silvas JA, Nicolini AM, Chvatal SA, Carlson-Stevermer J, Oki J, Holden K, Basler CF. Inhibitors of VPS34 and fatty-acid metabolism suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109479. [PMID: 34320401 PMCID: PMC8289695 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses rely on host membranes for entry, establishment of replication centers, and egress. Compounds targeting cellular membrane biology and lipid biosynthetic pathways have previously shown promise as antivirals and are actively being pursued as treatments for other conditions. Here, we test small molecule inhibitors that target the PI3 kinase VPS34 or fatty acid metabolism for anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) activity. Our studies determine that compounds targeting VPS34 are potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Mechanistic studies with compounds targeting multiple steps up- and downstream of fatty acid synthase (FASN) identify the importance of triacylglycerol production and protein palmitoylation as requirements for efficient viral RNA synthesis and infectious virus production. Further, FASN knockout results in significantly impaired SARS-CoV-2 replication that can be rescued with fatty acid supplementation. Together, these studies clarify roles for VPS34 and fatty acid metabolism in SARS-CoV-2 replication and identify promising avenues for the development of countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline G Williams
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Alexander S Jureka
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jesus A Silvas
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher F Basler
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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25
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Abstract
COVID‑19, a new human respiratory disease that has killed nearly 3 million people in a year since the start of the pandemic, is a global public health challenge. Its infectious agent, SARS‑CoV‑2, differs from other coronaviruses in a number of structural features that make this virus more pathogenic and transmissible. In this review, we discuss some important characteristics of the main SARS‑CoV‑2 surface antigen, the spike (S) protein, such as (i) ability of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) to switch between the “standing-up” position (open pre-fusion conformation) for receptor binding and the “lying-down” position (closed pre-fusion conformation) for immune system evasion; (ii) advantage of a high binding affinity of the RBD open conformation to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for efficient cell entry; and (iii) S protein preliminary activation by the intracellular furin-like proteases for facilitation of the virus spreading across different cell types. We describe interactions between the S protein and cellular receptors, co-receptors, and antagonists, as well as a hypothetical mechanism of the homotrimeric spike structure destabilization that triggers the fusion of the viral envelope with the cell membrane at physiological pH and mediates the viral nucleocapsid entry into the cytoplasm. The transition of the S protein pre-fusion conformation to the post-fusion one on the surface of virions after their treatment with some reagents, such as β-propiolactone, is essential, especially in relation to the vaccine production. We also compare the COVID‑19 pathogenesis with that of severe outbreaks of “avian” influenza caused by the A/H5 and A/H7 highly pathogenic viruses and discuss the structural similarities between the SARS‑CoV‑2 S protein and hemagglutinins of those highly pathogenic strains. Finally, we touch on the prospective and currently used COVID‑19 antiviral and anti-pathogenetic therapeutics, as well as recently approved conventional and innovative COVID‑19 vaccines and their molecular and immunological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa V Kordyukova
- Belozersky Institute of Physicochemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Andrey V Shanko
- FORT LLC, R&D Department, Moscow, 119435, Russia.,Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, 123098, Russia
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26
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Chazal N. Coronavirus, the King Who Wanted More Than a Crown: From Common to the Highly Pathogenic SARS-CoV-2, Is the Key in the Accessory Genes? Front Microbiol 2021; 12:682603. [PMID: 34335504 PMCID: PMC8317507 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.682603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that emerged in late 2019, is the etiologic agent of the current "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19) pandemic, which has serious health implications and a significant global economic impact. Of the seven human coronaviruses, all of which have a zoonotic origin, the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, is the third emerging coronavirus, in the 21st century, highly pathogenic to the human population. Previous human coronavirus outbreaks (SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV) have already provided several valuable information on some of the common molecular and cellular mechanisms of coronavirus infections as well as their origin. However, to meet the new challenge caused by the SARS-CoV-2, a detailed understanding of the biological specificities, as well as knowledge of the origin are crucial to provide information on viral pathogenicity, transmission and epidemiology, and to enable strategies for therapeutic interventions and drug discovery. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the current advances in SARS-CoV-2 knowledges, in light of pre-existing information of other recently emerging coronaviruses. We depict the specificity of the immune response of wild bats and discuss current knowledge of the genetic diversity of bat-hosted coronaviruses that promotes viral genome expansion (accessory gene acquisition). In addition, we describe the basic virology of coronaviruses with a special focus SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we highlight, in detail, the current knowledge of genes and accessory proteins which we postulate to be the major keys to promote virus adaptation to specific hosts (bat and human), to contribute to the suppression of immune responses, as well as to pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Chazal
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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27
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Martinez-Banaclocha M. Interfering Reactive Cysteine Proteome in Covid-19 Disease. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:1657-1663. [PMID: 34165401 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210623142811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection has been initiated, effective therapies for severe Covid-19 disease are still needed. A promising therapeutic strategy is using FDA-approved drugs that have the biological potential to interfere with or modify some of the viral proteins capable of changing the disease's course. Recent studies highlight that some clinically safe drugs can suppress the viral life cycle while potentially promoting an adequate host inflammatory/immune response by interfering with the disease's cysteine proteome.
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28
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Abdulrahman DA, Meng X, Veit M. S-Acylation of Proteins of Coronavirus and Influenza Virus: Conservation of Acylation Sites in Animal Viruses and DHHC Acyltransferases in Their Animal Reservoirs. Pathogens 2021; 10:669. [PMID: 34072434 PMCID: PMC8227752 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent pandemics of zoonotic origin were caused by members of coronavirus (CoV) and influenza A (Flu A) viruses. Their glycoproteins (S in CoV, HA in Flu A) and ion channels (E in CoV, M2 in Flu A) are S-acylated. We show that viruses of all genera and from all hosts contain clusters of acylated cysteines in HA, S and E, consistent with the essential function of the modification. In contrast, some Flu viruses lost the acylated cysteine in M2 during evolution, suggesting that it does not affect viral fitness. Members of the DHHC family catalyze palmitoylation. Twenty-three DHHCs exist in humans, but the number varies between vertebrates. SARS-CoV-2 and Flu A proteins are acylated by an overlapping set of DHHCs in human cells. We show that these DHHC genes also exist in other virus hosts. Localization of amino acid substitutions in the 3D structure of DHHCs provided no evidence that their activity or substrate specificity is disturbed. We speculate that newly emerged CoVs or Flu viruses also depend on S-acylation for replication and will use the human DHHCs for that purpose. This feature makes these DHHCs attractive targets for pan-antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. Abdulrahman
- Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Giza 12618, Egypt;
| | - Xiaorong Meng
- Institute of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Michael Veit
- Institute of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany;
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29
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Addressing personal protective equipment (PPE) decontamination: Methylene blue and light inactivates severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on N95 respirators and medical masks with maintenance of integrity and fit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2021; 43:876-885. [PMID: 34016200 PMCID: PMC8220024 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), underscoring the urgent need for simple, efficient, and inexpensive methods to decontaminate masks and respirators exposed to severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We hypothesized that methylene blue (MB) photochemical treatment, which has various clinical applications, could decontaminate PPE contaminated with coronavirus. DESIGN The 2 arms of the study included (1) PPE inoculation with coronaviruses followed by MB with light (MBL) decontamination treatment and (2) PPE treatment with MBL for 5 cycles of decontamination to determine maintenance of PPE performance. METHODS MBL treatment was used to inactivate coronaviruses on 3 N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) and 2 medical mask models. We inoculated FFR and medical mask materials with 3 coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and we treated them with 10 µM MB and exposed them to 50,000 lux of white light or 12,500 lux of red light for 30 minutes. In parallel, integrity was assessed after 5 cycles of decontamination using multiple US and international test methods, and the process was compared with the FDA-authorized vaporized hydrogen peroxide plus ozone (VHP+O3) decontamination method. RESULTS Overall, MBL robustly and consistently inactivated all 3 coronaviruses with 99.8% to >99.9% virus inactivation across all FFRs and medical masks tested. FFR and medical mask integrity was maintained after 5 cycles of MBL treatment, whereas 1 FFR model failed after 5 cycles of VHP+O3. CONCLUSIONS MBL treatment decontaminated respirators and masks by inactivating 3 tested coronaviruses without compromising integrity through 5 cycles of decontamination. MBL decontamination is effective, is low cost, and does not require specialized equipment, making it applicable in low- to high-resource settings.
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30
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Zhang M, Han X, Osterrieder K, Veit M. Palmitoylation of the envelope membrane proteins GP5 and M of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is essential for virus growth. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009554. [PMID: 33891658 PMCID: PMC8099100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus in the Arteiviridae family, is a major pathogen affecting pigs worldwide. The membrane (glyco)proteins GP5 and M form a disulfide-linked dimer, which is a major component of virions. GP5/M are required for virus budding, which occurs at membranes of the exocytic pathway. Both GP5 and M feature a short ectodomain, three transmembrane regions, and a long cytoplasmic tail, which contains three and two conserved cysteines, respectively, in close proximity to the transmembrane span. We report here that GP5 and M of PRRSV-1 and -2 strains are palmitoylated at the cysteines, regardless of whether the proteins are expressed individually or in PRRSV-infected cells. To completely prevent S-acylation, all cysteines in GP5 and M have to be exchanged. If individual cysteines in GP5 or M were substituted, palmitoylation was reduced, and some cysteines proved more important for efficient palmitoylation than others. Neither infectious virus nor genome-containing particles could be rescued if all three cysteines present in GP5 or both present in M were replaced in a PRRSV-2 strain, indicating that acylation is essential for virus growth. Viruses lacking one or two acylation sites in M or GP5 could be rescued but grew to significantly lower titers. GP5 and M lacking acylation sites form dimers and GP5 acquires Endo-H resistant carbohydrates in the Golgi apparatus suggesting that trafficking of the membrane proteins to budding sites is not disturbed. Likewise, GP5 lacking two acylation sites is efficiently incorporated into virus particles and these viruses exhibit no reduction in cell entry. We speculate that multiple fatty acids attached to GP5 and M in the endoplasmic reticulum are required for clustering of GP5/M dimers at Golgi membranes and constitute an essential prerequisite for virus assembly. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), an arterivirus in the order Nidovirales, is an important pathogen for pigs. Despite its importance in veterinary medicine, basic structural and functional features of its membrane proteins have not been elucidated. Here, we provide evidence for palmitoylation of the PRRSV major membrane proteins GP5 and M at a cluster of membrane-near cysteines. Fatty acid attachment is required for virus growth, since removal of all acylation sites from either M or GP5 prevents recue of infectious particles. Furthermore, viruses lacking individual acylation sites in M and GP5 grow to significantly lower titers in cell culture. The specific infectivity and cell entry of viruses lacking two acylation sites in Gp5 is, however, not reduced. Likewise, these viruses revealed no effect on dimerization of GP5 with M, its transport to budding sites, and incorporation into virus particles. Since cells transfected with a cDNA expressing non-acylated GP5, or non-acylated M release no virus-like particles into the supernatant we propose that the fatty acids are required for the budding process. They might trigger assembly of GP5/M dimers to form a coat inside the lipid bilayer that induces membrane curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minze Zhang
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xiaoliang Han
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Klaus Osterrieder
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Michael Veit
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Kumar B, Hawkins GM, Kicmal T, Qing E, Timm E, Gallagher T. Assembly and Entry of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2): Evaluation Using Virus-Like Particles. Cells 2021; 10:853. [PMID: 33918600 PMCID: PMC8068838 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is currently restricted to BSL-3 laboratories. SARS-CoV2 virus-like particles (VLPs) offer a BSL-1, replication-incompetent system that can be used to evaluate virus assembly and virus-cell entry processes in tractable cell culture conditions. Here, we describe a SARS-CoV2 VLP system that utilizes nanoluciferase (Nluc) fragment complementation to track assembly and entry. We utilized the system in two ways. Firstly, we investigated the requirements for VLP assembly. VLPs were produced by concomitant synthesis of three viral membrane proteins, spike (S), envelope (E), and matrix (M), along with the cytoplasmic nucleocapsid (N). We discovered that VLP production and secretion were highly dependent on N proteins. N proteins from related betacoronaviruses variably substituted for the homologous SARS-CoV2 N, and chimeric betacoronavirus N proteins effectively supported VLP production if they contained SARS-CoV2 N carboxy-terminal domains (CTD). This established the CTDs as critical features of virus particle assembly. Secondly, we utilized the system by investigating virus-cell entry. VLPs were produced with Nluc peptide fragments appended to E, M, or N proteins, with each subsequently inoculated into target cells expressing complementary Nluc fragments. Complementation into functional Nluc was used to assess virus-cell entry. We discovered that each of the VLPs were effective at monitoring virus-cell entry, to various extents, in ways that depended on host cell susceptibility factors. Overall, we have developed and utilized a VLP system that has proven useful in identifying SARS-CoV2 assembly and entry features.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; (B.K.); (G.M.H.); (T.K.); (E.Q.); (E.T.)
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Tseng YY, Liao GR, Lien A, Hsu WL. Current concepts in the development of therapeutics against human and animal coronavirus diseases by targeting NP. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:1072-1080. [PMID: 33552444 PMCID: PMC7847285 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus (CoV) infects a broad range of hosts including humans as well as a variety of animals. It has gained overwhelming concerns since the emergence of deadly human coronaviruses (HCoVs), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2003, followed by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2015. Very recently, special attention has been paid to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 due to its high mobility and mortality. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, despite vast research efforts, the effective pharmaceutical interventions are still not available for clinical uses. Both expanded knowledge on structure insights and the essential function of viral nucleocapsid (N) protein are key basis for the development of novel, and potentially, a broad-spectrum inhibitor against coronavirus diseases. This review aimed to delineate the current research from the perspective of biochemical and structural study in cell-based assays as well as virtual screen approaches to identify N protein antagonists targeting not only HCoVs but also animal CoVs.
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Key Words
- AMP, UMP, GMP and CMP, ribonucleoside 5′-monophosphates
- Antagonists
- BCoV, bovine coronavirus
- CCoV, canine coronavirus
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- CTD, C-terminus dimerization domain
- CoV, coronavirus
- Coronavirus
- E, envelope protein
- ECoV, equine coronavirus
- FECV, feline enteric coronavirus
- FIPV, feline infectious peritonitis virus
- HCoVs, human coronaviruses
- HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
- IBV, infectious bronchitis virus
- IFN, interferon
- Inhibitors
- MERS-CoV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- MHV, mouse hepatitis virus
- MP, membrane protein
- N protein
- NTD, N-terminus RNA-binding domain
- PDCoV, porcine deltacoronavirus
- PEDV, Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
- PRCV, porcine respiratory coronavirus
- RBD, RNA-binding domain
- RNP, ribonucleoproteins
- SARS-CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- SARS-CoV-2
- SP, spike protein
- SeCoV, swine enteric coronavirus
- TCoV, turkey coronavirus
- TGEV, transmissible gastroenteritis virus
- nsp3, the nonstructural protein 3
- shRNAs, short hairpin RNAs
- siRNA, small interfering RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeu-Yang Tseng
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, VIDRL, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guan-Ru Liao
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
| | - Abigail Lien
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Wei-Li Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
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Wong NA, Saier MH. The SARS-Coronavirus Infection Cycle: A Survey of Viral Membrane Proteins, Their Functional Interactions and Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1308. [PMID: 33525632 PMCID: PMC7865831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel epidemic strain of Betacoronavirus that is responsible for the current viral pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a global health crisis. Other epidemic Betacoronaviruses include the 2003 SARS-CoV-1 and the 2009 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the genomes of which, particularly that of SARS-CoV-1, are similar to that of the 2019 SARS-CoV-2. In this extensive review, we document the most recent information on Coronavirus proteins, with emphasis on the membrane proteins in the Coronaviridae family. We include information on their structures, functions, and participation in pathogenesis. While the shared proteins among the different coronaviruses may vary in structure and function, they all seem to be multifunctional, a common theme interconnecting these viruses. Many transmembrane proteins encoded within the SARS-CoV-2 genome play important roles in the infection cycle while others have functions yet to be understood. We compare the various structural and nonstructural proteins within the Coronaviridae family to elucidate potential overlaps and parallels in function, focusing primarily on the transmembrane proteins and their influences on host membrane arrangements, secretory pathways, cellular growth inhibition, cell death and immune responses during the viral replication cycle. We also offer bioinformatic analyses of potential viroporin activities of the membrane proteins and their sequence similarities to the Envelope (E) protein. In the last major part of the review, we discuss complement, stimulation of inflammation, and immune evasion/suppression that leads to CoV-derived severe disease and mortality. The overall pathogenesis and disease progression of CoVs is put into perspective by indicating several stages in the resulting infection process in which both host and antiviral therapies could be targeted to block the viral cycle. Lastly, we discuss the development of adaptive immunity against various structural proteins, indicating specific vulnerable regions in the proteins. We discuss current CoV vaccine development approaches with purified proteins, attenuated viruses and DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Milton H. Saier
- Department of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
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The Fatty Acid Lipid Metabolism Nexus in COVID-19. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010090. [PMID: 33440724 PMCID: PMC7826519 DOI: 10.3390/v13010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Enteric symptomology seen in early-stage severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-2003 and COVID-19 is evidence of virus replication occurring in the intestine, liver and pancreas. Aberrant lipid metabolism in morbidly obese individuals adversely affects the COVID-19 immune response and increases disease severity. Such observations are in line with the importance of lipid metabolism in COVID-19, and point to the gut as a site for intervention as well as a therapeutic target in treating the disease. Formation of complex lipid membranes and palmitoylation of coronavirus proteins are essential during viral replication and assembly. Inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and restoration of lipid catabolism by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) impede replication of coronaviruses closely related to SARS-coronavirus-2 (CoV-2). In vitro findings and clinical data reveal that the FASN inhibitor, orlistat, and the AMPK activator, metformin, may inhibit coronavirus replication and reduce systemic inflammation to restore immune homeostasis. Such observations, along with the known mechanisms of action for these types of drugs, suggest that targeting fatty acid lipid metabolism could directly inhibit virus replication while positively impacting the patient's response to COVID-19.
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Petrović T, Lauc G, Trbojević-Akmačić I. The Importance of Glycosylation in COVID-19 Infection. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1325:239-264. [PMID: 34495539 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-70115-4_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is currently one of the major health problems worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 survival and virulence are shown to be impacted by glycans, covalently attached to proteins in a process of glycosylation, making glycans an area of interest in SARS-CoV-2 biology and COVID-19 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 uses its highly glycosylated spike (S) glycoproteins to bind to the cell surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) glycoprotein and facilitate host cell entry. Viral glycosylation has wide-ranging roles in viral pathobiology, including mediating protein folding and stability, immune evasion, host receptor attachment, and cell entry. Modification of SARS-CoV-2 envelope membrane with glycans is important in host immune recognition and interaction between S and ACE2 glycoproteins. On the other hand, immunoglobulin G, a key molecule in immune response, shows a distinct glycosylation profile in COVID-19 infection and with increased disease severity. Hence, further studies on the role of glycosylation in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 infection are needed for its successful prevention and treatment. This chapter focuses on recent findings on the importance of glycosylation in COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Petrović
- Genos Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordan Lauc
- Genos Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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36
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Yadav M, Dhagat S, Eswari JS. Emerging strategies on in silico drug development against COVID-19: challenges and opportunities. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 155:105522. [PMID: 32827661 PMCID: PMC7438372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The importance of coronaviruses as human pathogen has been highlighted by the recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 leading to the search of suitable drugs to overcome respiratory infections caused by the virus. Due to the lack of specific drugs against coronavirus, the existing antiviral and antimalarial drugs are currently being administered to the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The scientists are also considering repurposing of some of the existing drugs as a suitable option in search of effective drugs against coronavirus till the establishment of a potent drug and/or vaccine. Computer-aided drug discovery provides a promising attempt to enable scientists to develop new and target specific drugs to combat any disease. The discovery of novel targets for COVID-19 using computer-aided drug discovery tools requires knowledge of the structure of coronavirus and various target proteins present in the virus. Targeting viral proteins will make the drug specific against the virus, thereby, increasing the chances of viral mortality. Hence, this review provides the structure of SARS-CoV-2 virus along with the important viral components involved in causing infection. It also focuses on the role of various target proteins in disease, the mechanism by which currently administered drugs act against the virus and the repurposing of few drugs. The gap arising from the absence of specific drugs is addressed by proposing potential antiviral drug targets which might provide insights into structure-based drug development against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Raipur, C.G., 492010, India
| | - Swasti Dhagat
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Raipur, C.G., 492010, India
| | - J Satya Eswari
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Raipur, C.G., 492010, India.
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37
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Simabuco FM, Tamura RE, Pavan ICB, Morale MG, Ventura AM. Molecular mechanisms and pharmacological interventions in the replication cycle of human coronaviruses. Genet Mol Biol 2020; 44:e20200212. [PMID: 33237152 PMCID: PMC7731901 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2020-0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), as well as SARS-CoV from 2003 along with MERS-CoV from 2012, is a member of the Betacoronavirus genus of the Nidovirales order and is currently the cause of the pandemic called COVID-19 (or Coronavirus disease 2019). COVID-19, which is characterized by cough, fever, fatigue, and severe cases of pneumonia, has affected more than 23 million people worldwide until August 25th, 2020. Here, we present a review of the cellular mechanisms associated with human coronavirus replication, including the unique molecular events related to the replication transcription complex (RTC) of coronaviruses. We also present information regarding the interactions between each viral protein and cellular proteins associated to known host-pathogen implications for the coronavirus biology. Finally, a specific topic addresses the current attempts for pharmacological interventions against COVID-19, highlighting the possible effects of each drug on the molecular events of viral replication. This review intends to aid future studies for a better understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle and the development of pharmacological approaches targeting COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Moreira Simabuco
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Laboratório Multidisciplinar em Alimentos e Saúde (LABMAS), Limeira, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Esaki Tamura
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Departmento de Ciências Biológicas, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Isadora Carolina Betim Pavan
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Laboratório Multidisciplinar em Alimentos e Saúde (LABMAS), Limeira, SP, Brazil.,Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Mirian Galliote Morale
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Centro de Oncologia Translacional, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Armando Morais Ventura
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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38
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Varghese PM, Tsolaki AG, Yasmin H, Shastri A, Ferluga J, Vatish M, Madan T, Kishore U. Host-pathogen interaction in COVID-19: Pathogenesis, potential therapeutics and vaccination strategies. Immunobiology 2020; 225:152008. [PMID: 33130519 PMCID: PMC7434692 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2020.152008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The current coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, is the third outbreak of disease caused by the coronavirus family, after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. It is an acute infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This severe disease is characterised by acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, metabolic acidosis, coagulation dysfunction, and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes. Currently, no drugs or vaccines exist against the disease and the only course of treatment is symptom management involving mechanical ventilation, immune suppressants, and repurposed drugs. The severe form of the disease has a relatively high mortality rate. The last six months have seen an explosion of information related to the host receptors, virus transmission, virus structure-function relationships, pathophysiology, co-morbidities, immune response, treatment and the most promising vaccines. This review takes a critically comprehensive look at various aspects of the host-pathogen interaction in COVID-19. We examine the genomic aspects of SARS-CoV-2, modulation of innate and adaptive immunity, complement-triggered microangiopathy, and host transmission modalities. We also examine its pathophysiological impact during pregnancy, in addition to emphasizing various gaps in our knowledge. The lessons learnt from various clinical trials involving repurposed drugs have been summarised. We also highlight the rationale and likely success of the most promising vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Mathews Varghese
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, London, United Kingdom; School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Anthony G Tsolaki
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hadida Yasmin
- Immunology and Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhishek Shastri
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janez Ferluga
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manu Vatish
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Taruna Madan
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, J.M. Street, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, London, United Kingdom.
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39
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Wu S, Tian C, Liu P, Guo D, Zheng W, Huang X, Zhang Y, Liu L. Effects of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on protein structures and intraviral protein-protein interactions. J Med Virol 2020; 93:2132-2140. [PMID: 33090512 PMCID: PMC7675365 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Since 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has infected 10 millions of people across the globe, and massive mutations in virus genome have occurred during the rapid spread of this novel coronavirus. Variance in protein sequence might lead to a change in protein structure and interaction, then further affect the viral physiological characteristics, which could bring tremendous influence on the pandemic. In this study, we investigated 20 nonsynonymous mutations in the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome in which incidence rates were all ≥ 1% as of September 1st, 2020, and then modeled and analyzed the mutant protein structures. The results showed that four types of mutations caused dramatic changes in protein structures (RMSD ≥ 5.0 Å), which were Q57H and G251V in open‐reading frames 3a (ORF3a), S194L, and R203K/G204R in nucleocapsid (N). Next, we found that these mutations also affected the binding affinity of intraviral protein interactions. In addition, the hot spots within these docking mutant complexes were altered, among which the mutation Q57H was involved in both Orf3a–S and Orf3a–Orf8 protein interactions. Besides, these mutations were widely distributed all over the world, and their occurrences fluctuated as time went on. Notably, the incidences of R203K/G204R in N and Q57H in Orf3a were both over 50% in some countries. Overall, our findings suggest that SARS‐CoV‐2 mutations could change viral protein structure, binding affinity, and hot spots of the interface, thereby might have impacts on SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID‐19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Wu
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.,Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Chang Tian
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.,Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Panpan Liu
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.,Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Dongjie Guo
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.,Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Xiaoqiang Huang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lijun Liu
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.,Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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40
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Lin P, Wang M, Wei Y, Kim T, Wei X. Coronavirus in human diseases: Mechanisms and advances in clinical treatment. MedComm (Beijing) 2020; 1:270-301. [PMID: 33173860 PMCID: PMC7646666 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs), a subfamily of coronavirinae, are a panel of single-stranded RNA virus. Human coronavirus (HCoV) strains (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-NL63) usually cause mild upper respiratory diseases and are believed to be harmless. However, other HCoVs, associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome, and COVID-19, have been identified as important pathogens due to their potent infectivity and lethality worldwide. Moreover, currently, no effective antiviral drugs treatments are available so far. In this review, we summarize the biological characters of HCoVs, their association with human diseases, and current therapeutic options for the three severe HCoVs. We also highlight the discussion about novel treatment strategies for HCoVs infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Lin
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Manni Wang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Taewan Kim
- Wexner Medical Center The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
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41
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Wang Y, Grunewald M, Perlman S. Coronaviruses: An Updated Overview of Their Replication and Pathogenesis. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2203:1-29. [PMID: 32833200 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0900-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs), enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses, are characterized by club-like spikes that project from their surface, an unusually large RNA genome, and a unique replication strategy. CoVs cause a variety of diseases in mammals and birds ranging from enteritis in cows and pigs, and upper respiratory tract and kidney disease in chickens to lethal human respiratory infections. Most recently, the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019, is the cause of a catastrophic pandemic, COVID-19, with more than 8 million infections diagnosed worldwide by mid-June 2020. Here we provide a brief introduction to CoVs discussing their replication, pathogenicity, and current prevention and treatment strategies. We will also discuss the outbreaks of the highly pathogenic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which are relevant for understanding COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Matthew Grunewald
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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42
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Schoeman D, Fielding BC. Is There a Link Between the Pathogenic Human Coronavirus Envelope Protein and Immunopathology? A Review of the Literature. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2086. [PMID: 33013759 PMCID: PMC7496634 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, human coronaviruses (hCoVs) have been identified as causative agents of severe acute respiratory tract infections. Two more hCoV outbreaks have since occurred, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The clinical presentation of SARS and MERS is remarkably similar to COVID-19, with hyperinflammation causing a severe form of the disease in some patients. Previous studies show that the expression of the SARS-CoV E protein is associated with the hyperinflammatory response that could culminate in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a potentially fatal complication. This immune-mediated damage is largely caused by a cytokine storm, which is induced by significantly elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, which are partly mediated by the expression of the SARS-CoV E protein. The interaction between the SARS-CoV E protein and the host protein, syntenin, as well as the viroporin function of SARS-CoV E, are linked to this cytokine dysregulation. This review aims to compare the clinical presentation of virulent hCoVs with a specific focus on the cause of the immunopathology. The review also proposes that inhibition of IL-1β and IL-6 in severe cases can improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Burtram C. Fielding
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Requena D, Médico A, Chacón RD, Ramírez M, Marín-Sánchez O. Identification of Novel Candidate Epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 Proteins for South America: A Review of HLA Frequencies by Country. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2008. [PMID: 33013857 PMCID: PMC7494848 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is already responsible for more than 4.3 million confirmed cases and 295,000 deaths worldwide as of May 15, 2020. Ongoing efforts to control the pandemic include the development of peptide-based vaccines and diagnostic tests. In these approaches, HLA allelic diversity plays a crucial role. Despite its importance, current knowledge of HLA allele frequencies in South America is very limited. In this study, we have performed a literature review of datasets reporting HLA frequencies of South American populations, available in scientific literature and/or in the Allele Frequency Net Database. This allowed us to enrich the current scenario with more than 12.8 million data points. As a result, we are presenting updated HLA allelic frequencies based on country, including 91 alleles that were previously thought to have frequencies either under 5% or of an unknown value. Using alleles with an updated frequency of at least ≥5% in any South American country, we predicted epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 proteins using NetMHCpan (I and II) and MHC flurry. Then, the best predicted epitopes (class-I and -II) were selected based on their binding to South American alleles (Coverage Score). Class II predicted epitopes were also filtered based on their three-dimensional exposure. We obtained 14 class-I and four class-II candidate epitopes with experimental evidence (reported in the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource), having good coverage scores for South America. Additionally, we are presenting 13 HLA-I and 30 HLA-II novel candidate epitopes without experimental evidence, including 16 class-II candidates in highly exposed conserved areas of the NTD and RBD regions of the Spike protein. These novel candidates have even better coverage scores for South America than those with experimental evidence. Finally, we show that recent similar studies presenting candidate epitopes also predicted some of our candidates but discarded them in the selection process, resulting in candidates with suboptimal coverage for South America. In conclusion, the candidate epitopes presented provide valuable information for the development of epitope-based strategies against SARS-CoV-2, such as peptide vaccines and diagnostic tests. Additionally, the updated HLA allelic frequencies provide a better representation of South America and may impact different immunogenetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Requena
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aldhair Médico
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Biología Molecular y Desarrollos Tecnológicos, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Ruy D Chacón
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Programa Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Manuel Ramírez
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Lima, Peru
| | - Obert Marín-Sánchez
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
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Haque SKM, Ashwaq O, Sarief A, Azad John Mohamed AK. A comprehensive review about SARS-CoV-2. Future Virol 2020; 15:625-648. [PMID: 33224265 PMCID: PMC7664148 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first identified in China, December 2019. Since then, it has spread the length and breadth of the world at an unprecedented, alarming rate. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2, which causes COVID-19, has much in common with its closest homologs, SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV. The virus-host interaction of SARS-CoV-2 uses the same receptor, ACE2, which is similar to that of SARS-CoV, which spreads through the respiratory tract. Patients with COVID-19 report symptoms including mild-to-severe fever, cough and fatigue; very few patients report gastrointestinal infections. There are no specific antiviral strategies. A few strong medications are under investigation, so we have to focus on proposals which ought to be taken to forestall this infection in a living host.
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Affiliation(s)
- SK Manirul Haque
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Ashwaq
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulla Sarief
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Kalam Azad John Mohamed
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, P. O. Box 10099, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Saudi Arabia
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Azeez SA, Alhashim ZG, Al Otaibi WM, Alsuwat HS, Ibrahim AM, Almandil NB, Borgio JF. State-of-the-art tools to identify druggable protein ligand of SARS-CoV-2. Arch Med Sci 2020; 16:497-507. [PMID: 32399095 PMCID: PMC7212236 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2020.94046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The SARS-CoV-2 (previously 2019-nCoV) outbreak in Wuhan, China and other parts of the world affects people and spreads coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through human-to-human contact, with a mortality rate of > 2%. There are no approved drugs or vaccines yet available against SARS-CoV-2. MATERIAL AND METHODS State-of-the-art tools based on in-silico methods are a cost-effective initial approach for identifying appropriate ligands against SARS-CoV-2. The present study developed the 3D structure of the envelope and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, and molecular docking analysis was done against various ligands. RESULTS The highest log octanol/water partition coefficient, high number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, lowest non-bonded interaction energy between the receptor and the ligand, and high binding affinity were considered for the best ligand for the envelope (mycophenolic acid: log P = 3.00; DG = -10.2567 kcal/mol; pKi = 7.713 µM) and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (1-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methyl]pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylic acid: log P = 2.901; DG = -12.2112 kcal/mol; pKi = 7.885 µM) of SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS The study identifies the most potent compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 envelope and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein through state-of-the-art tools based on an in-silico approach. A combination of these two ligands could be the best option to consider for further detailed studies to develop a drug for treating patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed Abdul Azeez
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zahra Ghalib Alhashim
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waad Mohammed Al Otaibi
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hind Saleh Alsuwat
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdallah M. Ibrahim
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, College of Nursing, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noor B. Almandil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - J. Francis Borgio
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Epidemic Diseases Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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46
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Gadalla MR, Veit M. Toward the identification of ZDHHC enzymes required for palmitoylation of viral protein as potential drug targets. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:159-177. [PMID: 31809605 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1696306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: S-acylation is the attachment of fatty acids not only to cysteines of cellular, but also of viral proteins. The modification is often crucial for the protein´s function and hence for virus replication. Transfer of fatty acids is mediated by one or several of the 23 members of the ZDHHC family of proteins. Since their genes are linked to various human diseases, they represent drug targets.Areas covered: The authors explore whether targeting acylation of viral proteins might be a strategy to combat viral diseases. Many human pathogens contain S-acylated proteins; the ZDHHCs involved in their acylation are currently identified. Based on the 3D structure of two ZDHHCs, the regulation and the biochemistry of the palmitolyation reaction and the lipid and protein substrate specificities are discussed. The authors then speculate how ZDHHCs might recognize S-acylated membrane proteins of Influenza virus.Expert opinion: Although many viral diseases can now be treated, the available drugs bind to viral proteins that rapidly mutate and become resistant. To develop inhibitors for the genetically more stable cellular ZDHHCs, their binding sites for viral substrates need to be identified. If only a few cellular proteins are recognized by the same binding site, development of specific inhibitors may have therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rasheed Gadalla
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Michael Veit
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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47
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronaviruses (CoVs) primarily cause enzootic infections in birds and mammals but, in the last few decades, have shown to be capable of infecting humans as well. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and, more recently, Middle-East respiratory syndrome (MERS) has demonstrated the lethality of CoVs when they cross the species barrier and infect humans. A renewed interest in coronaviral research has led to the discovery of several novel human CoVs and since then much progress has been made in understanding the CoV life cycle. The CoV envelope (E) protein is a small, integral membrane protein involved in several aspects of the virus' life cycle, such as assembly, budding, envelope formation, and pathogenesis. Recent studies have expanded on its structural motifs and topology, its functions as an ion-channelling viroporin, and its interactions with both other CoV proteins and host cell proteins. MAIN BODY This review aims to establish the current knowledge on CoV E by highlighting the recent progress that has been made and comparing it to previous knowledge. It also compares E to other viral proteins of a similar nature to speculate the relevance of these new findings. Good progress has been made but much still remains unknown and this review has identified some gaps in the current knowledge and made suggestions for consideration in future research. CONCLUSIONS The most progress has been made on SARS-CoV E, highlighting specific structural requirements for its functions in the CoV life cycle as well as mechanisms behind its pathogenesis. Data shows that E is involved in critical aspects of the viral life cycle and that CoVs lacking E make promising vaccine candidates. The high mortality rate of certain CoVs, along with their ease of transmission, underpins the need for more research into CoV molecular biology which can aid in the production of effective anti-coronaviral agents for both human CoVs and enzootic CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewald Schoeman
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Burtram C Fielding
- Molecular Biology and Virology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
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48
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J Alsaadi EA, Jones IM. Membrane binding proteins of coronaviruses. Future Virol 2019; 14:275-286. [PMID: 32201500 PMCID: PMC7079996 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2018-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) infect many species causing a variety of diseases with a range of severities. Their members include zoonotic viruses with pandemic potential where therapeutic options are currently limited. Despite this diversity CoVs share some common features including the production, in infected cells, of elaborate membrane structures. Membranes represent both an obstacle and aid to CoV replication - and in consequence - virus-encoded structural and nonstructural proteins have membrane-binding properties. The structural proteins encounter cellular membranes at both entry and exit of the virus while the nonstructural proteins reorganize cellular membranes to benefit virus replication. Here, the role of each protein in membrane binding is described to provide a comprehensive picture of their role in the CoV replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Entedar A J Alsaadi
- Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK.,Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Thiqar University, Thiqar, Iraq.,Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK.,Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Thiqar University, Thiqar, Iraq
| | - Ian M Jones
- Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK.,Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK
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49
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Growth enhancement of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Vero E6 cells expressing PEDV nucleocapsid protein. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212632. [PMID: 30840701 PMCID: PMC6402621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
More recently emerging strains of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) cause severe diarrhea and especially high mortality rates in infected piglets, leading to substantial economic loss to worldwide swine industry. These outbreaks urgently call for updated and effective PEDV vaccines. Better understanding in PEDV biology and improvement in technological platforms for virus production can immensely assist and accelerate PEDV vaccine development. In this study, we explored the ability of PEDV nucleocapsid (N) protein in improving viral yields in cell culture systems. We demonstrated that PEDV N expression positively affected both recovery of PEDV from infectious clones and PEDV propagation in cell culture. Compared to Vero E6 cells, Vero E6 cells expressing PEDV N could accelerate growth of a slow-growing PEDV strain to higher peak titers by 12 hours or enhance the yield of a vaccine candidate strain by two orders of magnitude. Interestingly, PEDV N also slightly enhances replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory virus, a PEDV relative in the Nidovirales order. These results solidify the importance of N in PEDV recovery and propagation and suggest a potentially useful consideration in designing vaccine production platforms for PEDV or closely related pathogens.
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50
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Naskalska A, Dabrowska A, Nowak P, Szczepanski A, Jasik K, Milewska A, Ochman M, Zeglen S, Rajfur Z, Pyrc K. Novel coronavirus-like particles targeting cells lining the respiratory tract. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203489. [PMID: 30183777 PMCID: PMC6124810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus like particles (VLPs) produced by the expression of viral structural proteins can serve as versatile nanovectors or potential vaccine candidates. In this study we describe for the first time the generation of HCoV-NL63 VLPs using baculovirus system. Major structural proteins of HCoV-NL63 have been expressed in tagged or native form, and their assembly to form VLPs was evaluated. Additionally, a novel procedure for chromatography purification of HCoV-NL63 VLPs was developed. Interestingly, we show that these nanoparticles may deliver cargo and selectively transduce cells expressing the ACE2 protein such as ciliated cells of the respiratory tract. Production of a specific delivery vector is a major challenge for research concerning targeting molecules. The obtained results show that HCoV-NL63 VLPs may be efficiently produced, purified, modified and serve as a delivery platform. This study constitutes an important basis for further development of a promising viral vector displaying narrow tissue tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonina Naskalska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail: (AN); (KP)
| | - Agnieszka Dabrowska
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Nowak
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Artur Szczepanski
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Jasik
- Department of Skin Structural Studies, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Milewska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marek Ochman
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Slawomir Zeglen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Zenon Rajfur
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail: (AN); (KP)
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