Determinants essential for the transmissible gastroenteritis virus-receptor interaction reside within a domain of aminopeptidase-N that is distinct from the enzymatic site

Characterization of spike S1/S2 processing and entry pathways of lentiviral pseudoviruses bearing seasonal human coronaviruses NL63, 229E, and HKU1 spikes

Although much has been learned about the entry mechanism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many details of the entry mechanisms of seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) remain less well understood. In the present study, we used 293T cell lines stably expressing angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2), aminopeptidase N (APN), or transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), which support high-level transduction of lentiviral pseudoviruses bearing spike proteins of seasonal HCoVs, HCoV-NL63, -229E, or -HKU1, respectively, to compare spike processing and virus entry pathways among these viruses. Our results showed that the entry of HCoV-NL63, -229E, and -HKU1 pseudoviruses into cells is sensitive to endosomal acidification inhibitors (chloroquine and NH4Cl), indicating entry via the endocytosis route. Although TMPRSS2 expression on target cell surface was required for HCoV-HKU1 spike-mediated entry and cell-cell fusion, we found that only the serine protease domain of TMPRSS2 and not the serine protease activity of TMPRSS2 was required for viral entry via endocytic route. However, the serine protease activity of TMPRSS2 and a furin processing site (RKRR) at the S1/S2 junction were essential for efficient HCoV-HKU1 spike-mediated cell-cell fusion. Additionally, we show that dibasic and monobasic arginine residues at the S1/S2 junctions of spike proteins of HCoV-NL63 and -229E are essential for virus entry, but multi-basic furin processing site at the S1/S2 junction was dispensable for HCoV-HKU1 viral entry. Our findings highlight features of the entry mechanisms of seasonal HCoVs that may support the development of novel treatment strategies.IMPORTANCEDetails of the entry mechanisms of seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) remain to be fully explored. To investigate spike-mediated virus entry of HCoV-NL63, -229E, and -HKU1 CoVs, we employed 293T cells that stably express angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2), aminopeptidase N (APN), or transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) to study entry mechanisms of pseudoviruses bearing spike proteins of HCoV-NL63, -229E, and -HKU1, respectively. We found that HCoV-NL63, -229E, and -HKU1 pseudoviruses entered cells via the endocytic route independently of cellular serine protease activity and therefore likely depended on endosomal cathepsin activity. Furthermore, we showed that arginine amino acids in S1/S2 junctions of HCoV-NL63 and -229E spikes were essential for entry but not essential for HCoV-HKU1 entry. Our results provide new insights into the S1/S2 junctional residues, cellular receptors, and protease requirements for seasonal HCoV pseudovirus entry into cells that may support the development of novel inhibitors.

Effective inhibition of PDCoV infection in chimeric APN gene-edited neonatal pigs

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), an emerging enteropathogenic coronavirus, is a serious threat to piglets and has zoonotic potential. Here, we aimed to further explore the role of aminopeptidase N (APN) as a receptor for PDCoV and test the inhibitory effect of a chimeric APN protein strategy on PDCoV infection. PK-15 cells and LLC-PK1 cells expressing chimeric APN were selected and infected with PDCoV. Viral replication was significantly decreased in these chimeric APN cells compared with that in control group cells. To further characterize the effect of the chimeric APN strategy on PDCoV infection in vitro, primary intestinal epithelial cells isolated from chimeric APN pigs were inoculated with PDCoV. Viral challenge of these cells led to decreased PDCoV infection. More importantly, virally challenged chimeric APN neonatal piglets displayed reduced viral load, significantly fewer microscopic lesions in the intestinal tissue, and no diarrhea. Taken together, these findings deepen our understanding of the mechanism of PDCoV infection and provide a valuable model for the production of disease-resistant animals.

IMPORTANCE

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), an emerging enteropathogenic coronavirus, causes diarrhea in piglets and possesses the potential to infect humans. However, there are currently no effective measures for the prevention or control of PDCoV infection. Here, we have developed PK-15 cells, LLC-PK1 cells, and primary intestinal epithelial cells expressing chimeric APN, and viral challenge of these cells led to decreased PDCoV infection. Furthermore, virally challenged chimeric APN neonatal piglets displayed reduced viral load, significantly fewer microscopic lesions in the intestinal tissue, and no diarrhea. These data show that chimeric APN is a promising strategy to combat PDCoV infection.

Different Infectivity of Swine Enteric Coronaviruses in Cells of Various Species

Swine enteric coronaviruses (SECoVs), including porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), and swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), have caused high mortality in piglets and, therefore, pose serious threats to the pork industry. Coronaviruses exhibit a trend of interspecies transmission, and understanding the host range of SECoVs is crucial for improving our ability to predict and control future epidemics. Here, the replication of PDCoV, TGEV, and PEDV in cells from different host species was compared by measuring viral genomic RNA transcription and protein synthesis. We demonstrated that PDCoV had a higher efficiency in infecting human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549), Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells (MDBK), Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK), and chicken embryonic fibroblast cells (DF-1) than PEDV and TGEV. Moreover, trypsin can enhance the infectivity of PDCoV to MDCK cells that are nonsusceptible to TGEV. Additionally, structural analyses of the receptor ectodomain indicate that PDCoV S1 engages Aminopeptidase N (APN) via domain II, which is highly conserved among animal species of different vertebrates. Our findings provide a basis for understanding the interspecies transmission potential of these three porcine coronaviruses.

Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus (PRCV): Isolation and Characterization of a Variant PRCV from USA Pigs

Porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), a mutant of the transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), was first reported in Belgium in 1984. PRCV typically replicates and induces mild lesions in the respiratory tract, distinct from the enteric tropism of TGEV. In the past 30 years, PRCV has rarely been studied, and most cited information is on traditional isolates obtained during the 1980s and 1990s. Little is known about the genetic makeup and pathogenicity of recent PRCV isolates. The objective of this study was to obtain a contemporary PRCV isolate from US pigs for genetic characterization. In total, 1245 lung homogenate samples from pigs in various US states were tested via real-time PCR targeting PRCV and TGEV RNA. Overall, PRCV RNA was detected in five samples, and a single isolate (ISU20-92330) was successfully cultured and sequenced for its full-length genome. The isolate clustered with a new group of variant TGEVs and differed in various genomic regions compared to traditional PRCV isolates. Pathogens, such as PRCV, commonly circulate in pig herds without causing major disease. There may be value in tracking genomic changes and regularly updating the diagnostic methods for such viruses to be better prepared for the emergence of variants in ecology and pathogenicity.

Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus: An Update Review and Perspective

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is a member of the alphacoronavirus genus, which has caused huge threats and losses to pig husbandry with a 100% mortality in infected piglets. TGEV is observed to be recombining and evolving unstoppably in recent years, with some of these recombinant strains spreading across species, which makes the detection and prevention of TGEV more complex. This paper reviews and discusses the basic biological properties of TGEV, factors affecting virulence, viral receptors, and the latest research advances in TGEV infection-induced apoptosis and autophagy to improve understanding of the current status of TGEV and related research processes. We also highlight a possible risk of TGEV being zoonotic, which could be evidenced by the detection of CCoV-HuPn-2018 in humans.

Kathryn V. Holmes: A Career of Contributions to the Coronavirus Field

Over the past two years, scientific research has moved at an unprecedented rate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid development of effective vaccines and therapeutics would not have been possible without extensive background knowledge on coronaviruses developed over decades by researchers, including Kathryn (Kay) Holmes. Kay’s research team discovered the first coronavirus receptors for mouse hepatitis virus and human coronavirus 229E and contributed a wealth of information on coronaviral spike glycoproteins and receptor interactions that are critical determinants of host and tissue specificity. She collaborated with several research laboratories to contribute knowledge in additional areas, including coronaviral pathogenesis, epidemiology, and evolution. Throughout her career, Kay was an extremely dedicated and thoughtful mentor to numerous graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. This article provides a review of her contributions to the coronavirus field and her exemplary mentoring.

Prevention and Control of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea: The Development of Recombination-Resistant Live Attenuated Vaccines

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), causing up to 100% mortality in neonatal pigs, is a highly contagious enteric disease caused by PED virus (PEDV). The highly virulent genogroup 2 (G2) PEDV emerged in 2010 and has caused huge economic losses to the pork industry globally. It was first reported in the US in 2013, caused country-wide outbreaks, and posed tremendous hardship for many pork producers in 2013–2014. Vaccination of pregnant sows/gilts with live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) is the most effective strategy to induce lactogenic immunity in the sows/gilts and provide a passive protection via the colostrum and milk to suckling piglets against PED. However, there are still no safe and effective vaccines available after about one decade of endeavor. One of the biggest concerns is the potential reversion to virulence of an LAV in the field. In this review, we summarize the status and the major obstacles in PEDV LAV development. We also discuss the function of the transcriptional regulatory sequences in PEDV transcription, contributing to recombination, and possible strategies to prevent the reversion of LAVs. This article provides insights into the rational design of a promising LAV without safety issues.

One Health and Cattle Genetic Resources: Mining More than 500 Cattle Genomes to Identify Variants in Candidate Genes Potentially Affecting Coronavirus Infections

Simple Summary

The conservation and exploitation of cattle genetic resources for selection and breeding purposes are important for the definition of sustainable livestock production sectors. One Health approaches should be integrated into these activities to reduce the risk posed by many zoonoses. Coronaviruses are emerging as important zoonotic agents, with the potential to easily cross species barriers, as also recently demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic derived by SARS-CoV-2. Genetic resistance to coronavirus infections can be determined by variants of the host (animal) genome segregating within species. In this study, we mined the genome of more than 500 cattle to identify variants that could be involved so as to define different levels of susceptibility and/or resistance to coronavirus diseases in this important livestock species. Using comparative analyses across species, we identified several single amino acid polymorphisms that might alter the function of key proteins involved in the basic biological mechanisms underlying the infection processes in cattle. This study provided new elements to consider genetic variability of the host (cattle) as a potential risk factor to be considered in One Health perspectives.

Abstract

Epidemiological and biological characteristics of coronaviruses and their ability to cross species barriers are a matter of increasing concerns for these zoonotic agents. To prevent their spread, One Health approaches should be designed to include the host (animal) genome variability as a potential risk factor that might confer genetic resistance or susceptibility to coronavirus infections. At present, there is no example that considers cattle genetic resources for this purpose. In this study, we investigated the variability of six genes (ACE2, ANPEP, CEACAM1 and DPP4 encoding for host receptors of coronaviruses; FURIN and TMPRSS2 encoding for host proteases involved in coronavirus infection) by mining whole genome sequencing datasets from more than 500 cattle of 34 Bos taurus breeds and three related species. We identified a total of 180 protein variants (44 already known from the ARS-UCD1.2 reference genome). Some of them determine altered protein functions or the virus–host interaction and the related virus entry processes. The results obtained in this study constitute a first step towards the definition of a One Health strategy that includes cattle genetic resources as reservoirs of host gene variability useful to design conservation and selection programs to increase resistance to coronavirus diseases.

Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus as a Model for Acute Respiratory Coronavirus Disease

In the light of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, we have developed a porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) model for in depth mechanistic evaluation of the pathogenesis, virology and immune responses of this important family of viruses. Pigs are a large animal with similar physiology and immunology to humans and are a natural host for PRCV. Four PRCV strains were investigated and shown to induce different degrees of lung pathology. Importantly, although all four strains replicated equally well in porcine cell lines in vitro and in the upper respiratory tract in vivo, PRCV strains causing more severe lung pathology were also able to replicate in ex vivo tracheal organ cultures as well as in vivo in the trachea and lung. The time course of infection of PRCV 135, which caused the most severe pulmonary pathology, was investigated. Virus was shed from the upper respiratory tract until day 10 post infection, with infection of the respiratory mucosa, as well as olfactory and sustentacular cells, providing an excellent model to study upper respiratory tract disease in addition to the commonly known lower respiratory tract disease from PRCV. Infected animals made antibody and T cell responses that cross reacted with the four PRCV strains and Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus. The antibody response was reproduced in vitro in organ cultures. Comparison of mechanisms of infection and immune control in pigs infected with PRCVs of differing pathogenicity with human data from SARS-CoV-2 infection and from our in vitro organ cultures, will enable key events in coronavirus infection and disease pathogenesis to be identified.

Cell Entry of Animal Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses and can cause deadly diseases in animals and humans. Cell entry is the first and essential step of successful virus infection and can be divided into two ongoing steps: cell binding and membrane fusion. Over the past two decades, stimulated by the global outbreak of SARS-CoV and pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, numerous efforts have been made in the CoV research. As a result, significant progress has been achieved in our understanding of the cell entry process. Here, we review the current knowledge of this essential process, including the viral and host components involved in cell binding and membrane fusion, molecular mechanisms of their interactions, and the sites of virus entry. We highlight the recent findings of host restriction factors that inhibit CoVs entry. This knowledge not only enhances our understanding of the cell entry process, pathogenesis, tissue tropism, host range, and interspecies-transmission of CoVs but also provides a theoretical basis to design effective preventive and therapeutic strategies to control CoVs infection.

Coronaviruses: An Updated Overview of Their Replication and Pathogenesis

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.

Role of Porcine Aminopeptidase N and Sialic Acids in Porcine Coronavirus Infections in Primary Porcine Enterocytes

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) have been reported to use aminopeptidase N (APN) as a cellular receptor. Recently, the role of APN as a receptor for PEDV has been questioned. In our study, the role of APN in PEDV and TGEV infections was studied in primary porcine enterocytes. After seven days of cultivation, 89% of enterocytes presented microvilli and showed a two- to five-fold higher susceptibility to PEDV and TGEV. A significant increase of PEDV and TGEV infection was correlated with a higher expression of APN, which was indicative that APN plays an important role in porcine coronavirus infections. However, PEDV and TGEV infected both APN positive and negative enterocytes. PEDV and TGEV Miller showed a higher infectivity in APN positive cells than in APN negative cells. In contrast, TGEV Purdue replicated better in APN negative cells. These results show that an additional receptor exists, different from APN for porcine coronaviruses. Subsequently, treatment of enterocytes with neuraminidase (NA) had no effect on infection efficiency of TGEV, implying that terminal cellular sialic acids (SAs) are no receptor determinants for TGEV. Treatment of TGEV with NA significantly enhanced the infection which shows that TGEV is masked by SAs.

The mercapturic acid pathway

The mercapturic acid pathway is a major route for the biotransformation of xenobiotic and endobiotic electrophilic compounds and their metabolites. Mercapturic acids (N-acetyl-l-cysteine S-conjugates) are formed by the sequential action of the glutathione transferases, γ-glutamyltransferases, dipeptidases, and cysteine S-conjugate N-acetyltransferase to yield glutathione S-conjugates, l-cysteinylglycine S-conjugates, l-cysteine S-conjugates, and mercapturic acids; these metabolites constitute a "mercapturomic" profile. Aminoacylases catalyze the hydrolysis of mercapturic acids to form cysteine S-conjugates. Several renal transport systems facilitate the urinary elimination of mercapturic acids; urinary mercapturic acids may serve as biomarkers for exposure to chemicals. Although mercapturic acid formation and elimination is a detoxication reaction, l-cysteine S-conjugates may undergo bioactivation by cysteine S-conjugate β-lyase. Moreover, some l-cysteine S-conjugates, particularly l-cysteinyl-leukotrienes, exert significant pathophysiological effects. Finally, some enzymes of the mercapturic acid pathway are described as the so-called "moonlighting proteins," catalytic proteins that exert multiple biochemical or biophysical functions apart from catalysis.

The use of cells from ANPEP knockout pigs to evaluate the role of aminopeptidase N (APN) as a receptor for porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV)

The coronaviruses, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) represent important sources of neonatal diarrhea on pig farms. The requirement for aminopeptidase N (APN) as a receptor for TGEV, but not for PEDV, is well established. In this study, the biological relevance of APN as a receptor for PDCoV was tested by using CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout the APN gene, ANPEP, in pigs. Porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) from ANPEP knockout (KO) pigs showed resistance to PDCoV infection. However, lung fibroblast-like cells, derived from the ANPEP KO PAM cultures, supported PDCoV infection to high levels. The results suggest that APN is a receptor for PDCoV in PAMs but is not necessary for infection of lung-derived fibroblast cells. The infection of the ANPEP KO pigs with PDCoV further confirmed that APN is dispensable as a receptor for PDCoV.

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APN is a receptor for PDCoV in PAMS, but not fibroblast cells.

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ANPEP KO pigs are not resistant to PDCoV.

Minimum Determinants of Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus Enteric Tropism Are Located in the N-Terminus of Spike Protein

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is an enteric coronavirus causing high morbidity and mortality in porcine herds worldwide, that possesses both enteric and respiratory tropism. The ability to replicate in the enteric tract directly correlates with virulence, as TGEVs with an exclusive respiratory tropism are attenuated. The tissue tropism is determined by spike (S) protein, although the molecular bases for enteric tropism remain to be fully characterized. Both pAPN and sialic acid binding domains (aa 506–655 and 145–155, respectively) are necessary but not sufficient for enteric tract infection. Using a TGEV infectious cDNA and enteric (TGEV-SC11) or respiratory (TGEV-SPTV) isolates, encoding a full-length S protein, a set of chimeric recombinant viruses, with a sequential modification in S protein amino terminus, was engineered. In vivo tropism, either enteric, respiratory or both, was studied by inoculating three-day-old piglets and analyzing viral titers in lung and gut. The data indicated that U655>G change in S gene (S219A in S protein) was required to confer enteric tropism to a respiratory virus that already contains the pAPN and sialic acid binding domains in its S protein. Moreover, an engineered virus containing U655>G and a 6 nt insertion at position 1124 (Y374-T375insND in S protein) was genetically stable after passage in cell cultures, and increased virus titers in gut by 1000-fold. We postulated that the effect of these residues in enteric tropism may be mediated by the modification of both glycosaminoglycan binding and S protein structure.

Recombinant Chimeric Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV) - Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) Virus Provides Protection against Virulent PEDV

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an enteric coronavirus causing high morbidity and mortality in porcine herds worldwide. Although both inactivated and live attenuated vaccines have been extensively used, the emergence of highly virulent strains and the recurrent outbreaks even in vaccinated farms highlight the need of effective vaccines. Engineering of genetically defined live attenuated vaccines is a rational approach for novel vaccine development. In this line, we engineered an attenuated virus based on the transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) genome, expressing a chimeric spike protein from a virulent United States (US) PEDV strain. This virus (rTGEV-RS-SPEDV) was attenuated in highly-sensitive five-day-old piglets, as infected animals did not lose weight and none of them died. In addition, the virus caused very minor tissue damage compared with a virulent virus. The rTGEV-RS-SPEDV vaccine candidate was also attenuated in three-week-old animals that were used to evaluate the protection conferred by this virus, compared with the protection induced by infection with a virulent PEDV US strain (PEDV-NVSL). The rTGEV-RS-SPEDV virus protected against challenge with a virulent PEDV strain, reducing challenge virus titers in jejunum and leading to undetectable challenge virus RNA levels in feces. The rTGEV-RS-SPEDV virus induced a humoral immune response specific for PEDV, including neutralizing antibodies. Altogether, the data indicated that rTGEV-RS-SPEDV is a promising vaccine candidate against virulent PEDV infection.

Resistance to coronavirus infection in amino peptidase N-deficient pigs

The alphacoronaviruses, transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) are sources of high morbidity and mortality in neonatal pigs, a consequence of dehydration caused by the infection and necrosis of enterocytes. The biological relevance of amino peptidase N (ANPEP) as a putative receptor for TGEV and PEDV in pigs was evaluated by using CRISPR/Cas9 to edit exon 2 of ANPEP resulting in a premature stop codon. Knockout pigs possessing the null ANPEP phenotype and age matched wild type pigs were challenged with either PEDV or TGEV. Fecal swabs were collected daily from each animal beginning 1 day prior to challenge with PEDV until the termination of the study. The presence of virus nucleic acid was determined by PCR. ANPEP null pigs did not support infection with TGEV, but retained susceptibility to infection with PEDV. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of PEDV reactivity and absence of TGEV reactivity in the enterocytes lining the ileum in ANPEP null pigs. The different receptor requirements for TGEV and PEDV have important implications in the development of new genetic tools for the control of enteric disease in pigs.

Epidermal growth factor receptor is a co-factor for transmissible gastroenteritis virus entry

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) causes severe diarrhea and high mortality in newborn piglets. It is well established that porcine intestinal epithelium is the target of the TGEV infection, however the mechanism that TGEV invades the host epithelium remains largely unknown. Aminopeptidase N (APN) is a known receptor of TGEV. This study discovered that the extracellular receptor binding domain 1 pertaining to epidermal growth receptor (EGFR) interact with TGEV spike protein. APN and EGFR synergistically promote TGEV invasion. TGEV promotes APN and EGFR clustering early in infection. Furthermore APN and EGFR synergistically stimulate PI3K/AKT as well as MEK/ERK1/2 endocytosis signaling pathways. TGEV entry is via clathrin and caveolin mediated endocytosis in IPEC-J2 cells. TGEV binds with EGFR, and subsequently promotes EGFR internalization by a clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway. These results show that EGFR is a co-factor of TGEV, and that it plays a synergistic role with APN early in TGEV infection.

Porcine Deltacoronavirus Engages the Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus Functional Receptor Porcine Aminopeptidase N for Infectious Cellular Entry

Identification of cellular receptors used by coronavirus (CoV) entry into the host cells is critical to an understanding of pathogenesis and to development of intervention strategies. The fourth CoV genus, Deltacoronavirus, evolutionarily related to the Gammacoronavirus, has just been defined recently. In the current study, we demonstrate that porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) acts as a cross-genus CoV functional receptor for both enteropathogenic porcine deltacoronovirus (PDCoV) and alphacoronovirus (AlphaCoV) (transmissible gastroenteritis virus [TGEV]) based upon three lines of evidence. First, the soluble S1 protein of PDCoV bound to the surface of target porcine cell lines known to express pAPN as efficiently as TGEV-S1, which could be blocked by soluble pAPN pretreatment. Second, both PDCoV-S1 and TGEV-S1 physically recognized and interacted with pAPN by coimmunoprecipitation in pAPN cDNA-transfected cells and by dot blot hybridization assay. Finally, exogenous expression of pAPN in refractory cells conferred susceptibility to PDCoV-S1 binding and to PDCoV entry and productive infection. PDCoV-S1 appeared to have a lower pAPN-binding affinity and likely consequent lower infection efficiency in pAPN-expressing refractory cells than TGEV-S1, suggesting that there may be differences between these two viruses in the virus-binding regions in pAPN. This study paves the way for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of PDCoV-host interactions and pathogenesis as well as facilitates future vaccine development and intervention strategies against PDCoV infection.IMPORTANCE The emergence of new human and animal coronaviruses is believed to have occurred through interspecies transmission that is mainly mediated by a species-specific receptor of the host. Among the four genera of the Coronavirinae, a couple of functional receptors for the representative members in the genera Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus have been identified, whereas receptors for Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus, which are believed to originate from birds, are still unknown. Porcine coronaviruses, including the newly discovered porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) associated with diarrhea in newborn piglets, have posed a serious threat to the pork industry in Asia and North America. Here, we report that PDCoV employs the alphacoronavirus TGEV functional receptor porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) for cellular entry, demonstrating the usage of pAPN as a cross-genus CoV functional receptor. The identification of the PDCoV receptor provides another example of the expanded host range of CoV and paves the way for further investigation of PDCoV-host interaction and pathogenesis.

Broad receptor engagement of an emerging global coronavirus may potentiate its diverse cross-species transmissibility

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), identified in 2012, is a common enteropathogen of swine with worldwide distribution. The source and evolutionary history of this virus is, however, unknown. PDCoV belongs to the Deltacoronavirus genus that comprises predominantly avian CoV. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that PDCoV originated relatively recently from a host-switching event between birds and mammals. Insight into receptor engagement by PDCoV may shed light into such an exceptional phenomenon. Here we report that PDCoV employs host aminopeptidase N (APN) as an entry receptor and interacts with APN via domain B of its spike (S) protein. Infection of porcine cells with PDCoV was drastically reduced by APN knockout and rescued after reconstitution of APN expression. In addition, we observed that PDCoV efficiently infects cells of unusual broad species range, including human and chicken. Accordingly, PDCoV S was found to target the phylogenetically conserved catalytic domain of APN. Moreover, transient expression of porcine, feline, human, and chicken APN renders cells susceptible to PDCoV infection. Binding of PDCoV to an interspecies conserved site on APN may facilitate direct transmission of PDCoV to nonreservoir species, including humans, potentially reflecting the mechanism that enabled a virus, ancestral to PDCoV, to breach the species barrier between birds and mammals. The APN cell surface protein is also used by several members of the Alphacoronavirus genus. Hence, our data constitute the second identification of CoVs from different genera that use the same receptor, implying that CoV receptor selection is subjected to specific restrictions that are still poorly understood.

Aminopeptidase-N-independent entry of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus into Vero or porcine small intestine epithelial cells

A monkey cell line Vero (ATCC CCL-81) is commonly used for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) propagation in vitro. However, it is still controversial whether the porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) counterpart on Vero cells (Vero-APN) confers PEDV entry. We found that endogenous expression of Vero-APN was undetectable in the mRNA and the protein levels in Vero cells. We cloned the partial Vero-APN gene (3340-bp) containing exons 1 to 9 from cellular DNA and subsequently generated two APN-knockout Vero cell lines by CRISPR/Cas9 approach. PEDV infection of two APN-knockout Vero cells had the same efficiency as the Vero cells with or without neuraminidase treatment. A Vero cells stably expressing pAPN did not increase PEDV production. SiRNA-knockdown of pAPN in porcine jejunum epithelial cells had no effects on PEDV infection. The results suggest that there exists an additional cellular receptor on Vero or porcine jejunal cells independent of APN for PEDV entry.

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Endogenous expression of Vero-APN was not detected in the mRNA and the protein levels in Vero cells.

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PEDV infection of APN-knockout Vero cells by CRISPR/Cas9 had the same efficiency as the Vero cells with or without neuraminidase treatment.

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Overexpression of pAPN in Vero cells did not increase PEDV production.

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Knockdown of pAPN in porcine jejunum epithelial cells decreased TGEV infection level but had no effects on PEDV infection.

Binding determinants in the interplay between porcine aminopeptidase N and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 fimbriae

The binding of F4⁺ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and the specific receptor on porcine intestinal epithelial cells is the initial step in F4⁺ ETEC infection. Porcine aminopeptidase N (APN) is a newly discovered receptor for F4 fimbriae that binds directly to FaeG adhesin, which is the major subunit of the F4 fimbriae variants F4ab, F4ac, and F4ad. We used overlapping peptide assays to map the APN-FaeG binding sites, which has facilitated in the identifying the APN-binding amino acids that are located in the same region of FaeG variants, thereby limiting the major binding regions of APN to 13 peptides. To determine the core sequence motif, a panel of FaeG peptides with point mutations and FaeG mutants were constructed. Pull-down and binding reactivity assays using piglet intestines determined that the amino acids G159 of F4ab, N209 and L212 of F4ac, and A200 of F4ad were the critical residues for APN binding of FaeG. We further show using ELISA and confocal microscopy assay that amino acids 553–568, and 652–670 of the APN comprise the linear epitope for FaeG binding in all three F4 fimbriae variants.

Allosteric inhibition of aminopeptidase N functions related to tumor growth and virus infection

Cell surface aminopeptidase N (APN) is a membrane-bound ectoenzyme that hydrolyzes proteins and peptides and regulates numerous cell functions. APN participates in tumor cell expansion and motility, and is a target for cancer therapies. Small drugs that bind to the APN active site inhibit catalysis and suppress tumor growth. APN is also a major cell entry receptor for coronavirus, which binds to a region distant from the active site. Three crystal structures that we determined of human and pig APN ectodomains defined the dynamic conformation of the protein. These structures offered snapshots of closed, intermediate and open APN, which represent distinct functional states. Coronavirus envelope proteins specifically recognized the open APN form, prevented ectodomain progression to the closed form and substrate hydrolysis. In addition, drugs that bind the active site inhibited both coronavirus binding to cell surface APN and infection; the drugs probably hindered APN transition to the virus-specific open form. We conclude that allosteric inhibition of APN functions occurs by ligand suppression of ectodomain motions necessary for catalysis and virus cell entry, as validated by locking APN with disulfides. Blocking APN dynamics can thus be a valuable approach to development of drugs that target this ectoenzyme.

Porcine amino peptidase N domain VII has critical role in binding and entry of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

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To gain insights into mechanisms of PEDV-pAPN interactions, the present study aimed at identifying the domain that is critical for PEDV binding.

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Results showed PEDV infection was restricted to pAPN domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells.

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PEDV harvested from pAPN or domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells was induced indirect plaques in Vero cells.

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Our results demonstrate that PEDV recognizes pAPN and that the main interactive point is lodged within domain VII of the pAPN.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infects swine intestinal cells causing enteric disease. Research has shown that the entry into these cells is through porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) receptor. To gain insights into mechanisms of PEDV-pAPN interactions, the present study aimed at identifying the domain that is critical for PEDV binding. To this end, NIH3T3 cell lines constitutively expressing pAPN or pAPN mutants were generated. The mutants were; domain VII deletion mutant and domains IV–VI deletion mutant. In the latter, domain VII was linked to the transmembrane segment through domain III. Results showed PEDV infection was restricted to pAPN and pAPN domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells. Further, reducing PEDV titre 10 fold resulted in 37.8% decrease in foci indicating positive correlation. A time course test at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h showed that foci increased 6 fold in the overall time range. Also, PEDV harvested from pAPN or domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells was induced indirect plaques in Vero cells confirming successful entry and replication. Collectively, our results demonstrate that PEDV recognizes pAPN and that the main interactive point is lodged within domain VII of the pAPN. These findings are important for therapeutic development as well as creating a platform for future studies on PEDV.

Porcine aminopeptidase N is not a cellular receptor of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, but promotes its infectivity via aminopeptidase activity

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a causative agent of pig diarrhoea, has recently caused significant economic damage worldwide. Porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) has been reported to be the receptor for PEDV, although robust evidence is lacking. In the present study, we explored whether pAPN functions as a receptor for PEDV. Human HeLa cells expressing pAPN and pAPN-positive porcine CPK cells failed to support PEDV infection, but were susceptible to infection by transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), which utilizes pAPN as a functional receptor. In contrast to TGEV, PEDV did not bind soluble porcine aminopeptidases (pAPs) and infection was not inhibited by the soluble form of pAPs. However, overexpression of pAPN in porcine CPK cells (CPK-pAPN cells) slightly increased the production of PEDV, and the increased replication in CPK-pAPN cells was inhibited by bestatin, an inhibitor of the protease activity of aminopeptidase N. These results suggest that pAPN is not a functional receptor for PEDV, but promotes the infection of PEDV through its protease activity.

Mutagenesis of Coronavirus nsp14 Reveals Its Potential Role in Modulation of the Innate Immune Response

Coronavirus (CoV) nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14) is a 60-kDa protein encoded by the replicase gene that is part of the replication-transcription complex. It is a bifunctional enzyme bearing 3'-to-5' exoribonuclease (ExoN) and guanine-N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) activities. ExoN hydrolyzes single-stranded RNAs and double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) and is part of a proofreading system responsible for the high fidelity of CoV replication. nsp14 N7-MTase activity is required for viral mRNA cap synthesis and prevents the recognition of viral mRNAs as "non-self" by the host cell. In this work, a set of point mutants affecting different motifs within the ExoN domain of nsp14 was generated, using transmissible gastroenteritis virus as a model of Alphacoronavirus Mutants lacking ExoN activity were nonviable despite being competent in both viral RNA and protein synthesis. A specific mutation within zinc finger 1 (ZF-C) led to production of a viable virus with growth and viral RNA synthesis kinetics similar to that of the parental virus. Mutant recombinant transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) ZF-C (rTGEV-ZF-C) caused decreased cytopathic effect and apoptosis compared with the wild-type virus and reduced levels of dsRNA accumulation at late times postinfection. Consequently, the mutant triggered a reduced antiviral response, which was confirmed by evaluating different stages of the dsRNA-induced antiviral pathway. The expression of beta interferon (IFN-β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon-stimulated genes in cells infected with mutant rTGEV-ZF-C was reduced compared to the levels seen with the parental virus. Overall, our data revealed a potential role for CoV nsp14 in modulation of the innate immune response.

IMPORTANCE

The innate immune response is the first line of antiviral defense that culminates in the synthesis of interferon and proinflammatory cytokines to control viral replication. CoVs have evolved several mechanisms to counteract the innate immune response at different levels, but the role of CoV-encoded ribonucleases in preventing activation of the dsRNA-induced antiviral response has not been described to date. The introduction of a mutation in zinc finger 1 of the ExoN domain of nsp14 led to production of a virus that induced a weak antiviral response, most likely due to the accumulation of lower levels of dsRNA in the late phases of infection. These observations allowed us to propose a novel role for CoV nsp14 ExoN activity in counteracting the antiviral response, which could serve as a novel target for the design of antiviral strategies.

The pro-inflammatory cytokine 14-3-3ε is a ligand of CD13 in cartilage

Osteoarthritis is a whole-joint disease characterized by the progressive destruction of articular cartilage involving abnormal communication between subchondral bone and cartilage. Our team previously identified 14-3-3ε protein as a subchondral bone soluble mediator altering cartilage homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of CD13 (also known as aminopeptidase N, APN) in the chondrocyte response to 14-3-3ε. After identifying CD13 in chondrocytes, we knocked down CD13 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and blocking antibodies in articular chondrocytes. 14-3-3ε-induced MMP-3 and MMP-13 was significantly reduced with CD13 knockdown, which suggests that it has a crucial role in 14-3-3ε signal transduction. Aminopeptidase N activity was identified in chondrocytes, but the activity was unchanged after stimulation with 14-3-3ε. Direct interaction between CD13 and 14-3-3ε was then demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance. Using labeled 14-3-3ε, we also found that 14-3-3ε binds to the surface of chondrocytes in a manner that is dependent on CD13. Taken together, these results suggest that 14-3-3ε might directly bind to CD13, which transmits its signal in chondrocytes to induce a catabolic phenotype similar to that observed in osteoarthritis. The 14-3-3ε-CD13 interaction could be a new therapeutic target in osteoarthritis.

Antigenic structures stably expressed by recombinant TGEV-derived vectors

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-stranded RNA viruses with potential as immunization vectors, expressing high levels of heterologous genes and eliciting both secretory and systemic immune responses. Nevertheless, its high recombination rate may result in the loss of the full-length foreign gene, limiting their use as vectors. Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) was engineered to express porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) small protein domains, as a strategy to improve heterologous gene stability. After serial passage in tissue cultures, stable expression of small PRRSV protein antigenic domains was achieved. Therefore, size reduction of the heterologous genes inserted in CoV-derived vectors led to the stable expression of antigenic domains. Immunization of piglets with these TGEV vectors led to partial protection against a challenge with a virulent PRRSV strain, as immunized animals showed reduced clinical signs and lung damage. Further improvement of TGEV-derived vectors will require the engineering of vectors with decreased recombination rate.

Screening and antiviral analysis of phages that display peptides with an affinity to subunit C of porcine aminopeptidase

The purified C subunit of the recombinant porcine aminopeptidase N (rpAPN-C) protein was used as an immobilized target to screen potential ligands against rpAPN-C from a 12-mer phage display random peptide library. After five rounds of biopanning, five phage clones showed specific binding affinities to rpAPN-C. In 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, the phage clone PM1, which contained the HDAISWTHYHPW peptide sequence, had a protective effect against TGEV infection in swine testis cells. Therefore, the HDAISWTHYHPW peptide sequence has a potential use as a small molecular therapeutic agent against TGEV infection.

Targeting aminopeptidase N, a newly identified receptor for F4ac fimbriae, enhances the intestinal mucosal immune response

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are a major cause of diarrhea in human and animal. In piglets, ETEC having F4 fimbriae (F4(+) ETEC) induce severe diarrhea, dependent on the presence of receptors for F4 (F4R). In this study, porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) was identified as an F4R by comparative proteomic analysis of brush border proteins of F4R(+) and F4R(-) pigs and by adherence/internalization experiments on pAPN-transfected cells. Binding of F4 fimbriae to pAPN depended on sialic acid containing carbohydrate moieties, and resulted in clathrin-mediated endocytosis of the fimbriae. Endocytosis via pAPN was not restricted to F4 fimbriae, but was also observed for anti-pAPN antibodies. Both F4 fimbriae- and pAPN-specific antibodies were taken up in vivo by porcine enterocytes and induced subsequently a rapid immunoglobulin A and G response. In conclusion, we identified pAPN as an endocytotic receptor for F4 fimbriae and highlight the opportunity to target vaccine antigens to this epithelial receptor.

Mammary gland development is delayed in mice deficient for aminopeptidase N

Development of the mammary gland requires the coordinated action of proteolytic enzymes during two phases of remodelling. Firstly, new ducts and side-branches thereof need to be established during pregnancy to generate an extensive ductal tree allowing the secretion and transport of milk. A second wave of remodelling occurs during mammary involution after weaning. We have analysed the role of the cell surface protease aminopeptidase N (Anpep, APN, CD13) during these processes using Anpep deficient and Anpep over-expressing mice. We find that APN deficiency significantly delays mammary gland morphogenesis during gestation. The defect is characterised by a reduction in alveolar buds and duct branching at mid-pregnancy. Conversely over-expression of Anpep leads to accelerated ductal development. This indicates that Anpep plays a critical role in the proteolytic remodelling of mammary tissue during adult mammary development.

A polyclonal antibody against the C subunit of porcine aminopeptidase N expressed in Escherichia coli

The entire pig aminopeptidase N (pAPN) gene was amplified by RT-PCR using total RNA extracted from intestinal brush border membrane of a newborn piglet. The amplified products of the pAPN gene were cloned into the vector pMD18-T, generating a recombinant plasmid pMD18-T-pAPN. The C subunit of pAPN (pAPN-C) produced by PCR from the plasmid pMD18-T-pAPN was expressed in Escherichia coli using vector pET-32a with His tag. After confirming reactivity of the recombinant protein pAPN-C to antibody against native pAPN, polyclonal antibody against the recombinant protein pAPN-C was prepared in rabbit using purified protein as immunogen. In Western blot analysis, the antibody elicited by the recombinant protein pAPN-C could recognize the native pAPN. These data demonstrate that the pAPN-C recombinant protein and its polyclonal antibody can provide some basis for further receptor antagonist.

Generation of a mouse scFv library specific for porcine aminopeptidase N using the T7 phage display system

Porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) is a common cellular receptor for swine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). To investigate single-chain fragment variable (scFv) repertoire against pAPN, the genes encoding the immunoglobulin light chain variable region (VL) and heavy chain variable region (VH) were amplified by reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using a series of degenerate primers from the spleen of BABL/c mice immunized with native pAPN. The VL and VH amplicons were combined randomly by a 12 amino acid flexible linker by splicing by overlap extension PCR (SOE-PCR), which produced the scFv gene repertoire. After ligation of the scFv gene repertoire into the T7Select10-3b vector, a mouse scFv phage library specific for pAPN was produced through in vitro packaging. The primary scFv library against pAPN contained 2.0×10(7) recombinant phage clones, and the titer of the amplified library was 3.6×10(9)pfu/mL. BstNI restriction analysis and DNA sequencing revealed that 28 phage clones from the primary pAPN scFv library showed excellent diversity. The effectiveness of the scFv library against pAPN was verified further by phage ELISA using the recombinant protein of the pAPN C subunit as coating antigen. The construction and evaluation of a murine scFv library against the common receptor pAPN of porcine coronaviruses TGEV and PEDV using the T7 phage display system are described.

Virus-binding activity of the truncated C subunit of porcine aminopeptidase N expressed in Escherichia coli

Seven overlapping truncated forms of the C subunit of porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN-C) were expressed in Escherichia coli. By western blotting and ELISA test, all recombinant proteins were recognized by the antibody against native porcine aminopeptidase N. Recombinant proteins, rpAPN-C2 (aa 623–722) and rpAPN-C3 (aa 673–772), had the highest binding activity with swine transmissible gastroenteritis virus among the truncated pAPN-C recombinant proteins. The overlapping region (aa 673–722) between rpAPN-C2 and rpAPN-C3 is indicated to play a key role in viral binding.

Phage displayed peptides recognizing porcine aminopeptidase N inhibit transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus infection in vitro

Porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) is a cellular receptor of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), a porcine coronavirus. Interaction between the spike (S) protein of TGEV and pAPN initiates cell infection. Small molecules, especially peptides are an expanding area for therapy or diagnostic assays for viral diseases. Here, the peptides capable of binding the pAPN were, for the first time, identified by biopanning using a random 12-mer peptide library to the immobilized protein. Three chemically synthesized peptides recognizing the pAPN showed effective inhibition ability to TGEV infection in vitro. A putative TxxF motif was identified in the S protein of TGEV. Phages bearing the specific peptides interacted with the pAPN in ELISA. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays confirmed the protective effect of the peptides on cell infection by TGEV. Moreover, the excellent immune responses in mice induced by the identified phages provided the possibility to develop novel phage-based vaccines.

Binding characterization of determinants in porcine aminopeptidase N, the cellular receptor for transmissible gastroenteritis virus

Four truncated porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN, a cellular receptor for porcine coronaviruses) proteins were expressed in prokaryotic cells. The recognizing of a specific serum against pAPN to these proteins was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. The binding ability of the proteins to transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), a porcine coronavirus, was analyzed by ELISA. The inhibitory effect of these proteins to cell infection by TGEV was analyzed using plaque assays. Our data indicate that three truncated pAPNs positively reacted with the specific antiserum and the major binding regions of pAPN were limited in regions 36aa–223aa, 349aa–591aa and 592–963aa. The proteins showed discrepant binding activity to either pAPN antibody or TGE virions. Moreover, the truncated proteins blocked the infection of cells by TGEV to different extent. The results suggest that the major antibody-binding domains of pAPN may associate with the receptor-binding determinants. The role of APN is discussed in the context of virus receptor usage.

Contribution of the porcine aminopeptidase N (CD13) receptor density to porcine epidemic diarrhea virus infection

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), which belong to group 1 coronaviruses, are important viral pathogens in pigs causing lethal diarrhea. As with the other members in the group 1, theses viruses are also known to use the host aminopeptidase N (APN) as the major receptor for cell entry. Remarkably, it was found that they utilize distinct cultured cell lines for in vitro virus propagation, since PEDV could not be replicated in swine testis (ST) cells expressing native porcine APN (pAPN), which are highly susceptible to TGEV. To explain the mechanism causing this discrimination, we postulated that there may be a correlation between the pAPN expression level and PEDV infection. As a first step toward understanding the role of cellular receptor density in PEDV replication, therefore, sub-lines of ST cells stably overexpressing recombinant pAPN were generated. We initially confirmed that the control ST cells do express relatively low levels of endogenous pAPN. In contrast, in the engineered stable cell lines, a high level of recombinant pAPN expression was demonstrated. The introduction of a pAPN gene into nonpermissive ST cells was further found to be fully sufficient to support productive infection, revealing that constitutive overexpression of pAPN can directly rescue PEDV multiplication. We further assessed whether the pAPN enzymatic function is relevant to PEDV infection. The enzymatic active motif-null mutant pAPN still retained the ability to exert its receptor activity and consequently, to cause infectious virus production. Moreover, the only APN inhibitor blocking the protease activity site had no obvious negative effect on viral infection, indicating that the enzymatic role of APN is dispensable for the process of virus replication. Taken together, our results suggest that pAPN receptor density appears to be an important factor in contributing to efficient PEDV infection.

Expression and functional analysis of porcine aminopeptidase N produced in prokaryotic expression system

Porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) is a cellular membrane protein and a functional receptor for porcine coronaviruses. Here, we describe the heterologous expression of pAPN without signal peptide in BL21(DE3)pLysS host cells. The Escherichia coli (E. coli) harboring the recombinant construct was efficiently induced to express the pAPN protein at a high level. The most optimal expression profile for pAPN expression was investigated. By inoculating a rabbit with the purified pAPN, a high tittered specific antibody was achieved. Biologically, the antibody reacted with either pAPN-expressing E. coli or native pAPN on the surface of swine testis cells. The pAPN and its specific antibody blocked transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus infection in vitro. Furthermore, the localization of pAPN on the small intestine of swine was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

Entry from the cell surface of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus with cleaved S protein as revealed by pseudotype virus bearing cleaved S protein

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is known to take an endosomal pathway for cell entry; however, it is thought to enter directly from the cell surface when a receptor-bound virion spike (S) protein is affected by trypsin, which induces cleavage of the S protein and activates its fusion potential. This suggests that SARS-CoV bearing a cleaved form of the S protein can enter cells directly from the cell surface without trypsin treatment. To explore this possibility, we introduced a furin-like cleavage sequence in the S protein at amino acids 798 to 801 and found that the mutated S protein was cleaved and induced cell fusion without trypsin treatment when expressed on the cell surface. Furthermore, a pseudotype virus bearing a cleaved S protein was revealed to infect cells in the presence of a lysosomotropic agent as well as a protease inhibitor, both of which are known to block SARS-CoV infection via an endosome, whereas the infection of pseudotypes with an uncleaved, wild-type S protein was blocked by these agents. A heptad repeat peptide, derived from a SARS-CoV S protein that is known to efficiently block infections from the cell surface, blocked the infection by a pseudotype with a cleaved S protein but not that with an uncleaved S protein. Those results indicate that SARS-CoV with a cleaved S protein is able to enter cells directly from the cell surface and agree with the previous observation of the protease-mediated cell surface entry of SARS-CoV.

Attachment and internalization of feline infectious peritonitis virus in feline blood monocytes and Crandell feline kidney cells

In this study, kinetics of attachment and internalization of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) serotype I strain Black and serotype II strain 79-1146 were determined in feline monocytes from two cats and in Crandell feline kidney (CrFK) cells. Attached FIPV I (Black) particles were observed on almost all monocytes. Within 1 h, 17 particles were bound per cell and, within 1 min, 89 % of the bound particles were internalized. For FIPV II (79-1146), attachment was observed on 66 and 95 % of all monocytes from the two cats. After 1 h, respectively five and 20 particles were bound per cell (all cells considered). Within 1 min, 60 % of the bound particles were internalized. Internalization in monocytes was efficient and proceeded via endocytosis. In CrFK cells, attachment and internalization were less efficient, especially for FIPV I (Black), so this cell line is not suitable for studying FIPV entry.

Porcine aminopeptidase N is a functional receptor for the PEDV coronavirus

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes lethal diarrhea in piglets that leads to great economic losses in East Asia. It was reported that aminopeptidase N (APN) is the receptor for transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) and feline coronavirus (FeCoV) which all belong to group I coronavirus including as well as PEDV. It was also confirmed previously that porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) can bind to PEDV, and anti-pAPN antibodies may inhibit the combination. To investigate whether pAPN is a receptor for PEDV, we transfected MDCK cells with porcine aminopeptidase (pAPN) cDNA and this enabled non-susceptible cells to support PEDV replication and serial viral propagation. Moreover, the infection was blocked by antibodies against pAPN, implies the critical role of pAPN during virus entry. In addition, immunofluorescence assays for detection of pAPN and PEDV antigens, together with neutralization assays using antibodies against pAPN, further confirmed the correlation between pAPN expression and viral replication in pAPN-transfected MDCK cells. These results indicate that pAPN is a functional receptor for PEDV.

CD13/APN regulates endothelial invasion and filopodia formation

CD13/aminopeptidase N is a transmembrane peptidase that is induced in the vasculature of solid tumors and is a potent angiogenic regulator. Here, we demonstrate that CD13 controls endothelial cell invasion in response to the serum peptide bradykinin by facilitating signal transduction at the level of the plasma membrane. Inhibition of CD13 abrogates bradykinin B(2) receptor internalization, leading to the attenuation of downstream events such as bradykinin-induced activation of Cdc42 and filopodia formation, and thus affects endothelial cell motility. Investigation into mechanisms underlying this block led us to focus on B(2)R internalization via membrane-dependent mechanisms. Membrane disruption by depletion of cholesterol or trypsinization halts B(2)R internalization, invasion, and filopodia formation, which can be recovered with addition of cholesterol. However, this functional recovery is severely impaired in the presence of CD13 antagonists, and the distribution of membrane proteins is disordered in treated cells, suggesting a role for CD13 in plasma membrane protein organization. Finally, exogenous expression of wild-type but not mutant CD13 further alters protein distribution, suggesting peptidase activity is required for CD13's regulatory activity. Therefore, CD13 functions as a novel modulator of signal transduction and cell motility via its influence on specific plasma membrane organization, thus regulating angiogenesis.

Purification and characterization of aminopeptidase N from Spodoptera litura expressed in Sf21 insect cells

Insecticidal crystal proteins produced by strains of Bacillus thuringiensis cause larval death upon interaction with specific receptors located at the midgut epithelium of susceptible insects. Large quantities of easily purified aminopeptidase and cadherin-like Cry toxin receptors can facilitate the further study of Cry toxin binding and pore formation. Here, we report the solubilisation and purification of aminopeptidase N from Spodoptera litura (SlAPN). Recombinantly expressed and membrane anchored aminopeptidase N showed differential solubilisation with various ionic and nonionic detergents. The N-lauryl sarcosine (NLS)-solubilised SlAPN was purified to near homogeneity by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography and refolded to its catalytically active form. The optimized purification regimen lead to >90% purification of the catalytically active SlAPN with 11% recovery and 9-folds purification. The interaction of purified SlAPN with biologically active Cry1C protein has been qualitatively and quantitatively characterized. By ligand blotting experiment, we demonstrated the linearity of interaction of the two purified proteins and lack of interaction of SlAPN with structurally divergent nontoxic Cry1Ac protein. The equilibrium dissociation constant (K(D)) of purified SlAPN for Cry1C was calculated by ELISA (90nM). Interaction of enzymatically inactive SlAPN with Cry1C and catalytic activity of APN-Cry1C complex suggested that the catalytic site and toxin-binding sites of SlAPN do not overlap.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Entry as a Target of Antiviral Therapies

The identification in 2003 of a coronavirus as the aetiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) intensified efforts to understand the biology of corona-viruses in general and SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in particular. Rapid progress was made in describing the SARS-CoV genome, evolution and lifecycle. Identification of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an obligate cellular receptor for SARS-CoV contributed to understanding of the SARS-CoV entry process, and helped to characterize two targets of antiviral therapeutics: the SARS-CoV spike protein and ACE2. Here we describe the role of these proteins in SARS-CoV replication and potential therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing entry of SARS-CoV into target cells.

Synergistic inhibition of the enzymatic activity of aminopeptidase N by divalent metal ion chelators

Membranes of HEK293 cells that were transfected with human aminopeptidase N (AP-N, CD13, EC 3.4.11.2) and purified soluble porcine kidney AP-N were used to study inhibition of its enzyme activity by divalent cation chelators. Whereas pre-incubation for 10 min with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), did not or only weakly affected the enzyme activity, the bidentate chelator 1,10-phenanthroline produced a complete and concentration-dependent inhibition of AP-N. The corresponding curves had Hill slopes of 2.50 +/- 0.23 and 2.73 +/- 0.01 for soluble and recombinant AP-N respectively. EDTA increased the potency of 1,10-phenanthroline till a limit, at which Hill slopes became close to unity. In the absence of EDTA, the inhibition by 1,10-phenanthroline was only weakly affected by the substrate concentration. On the other hand, competition between 1,10-phenanthroline and the substrate took place in the presence of EDTA. Similar findings were reported for the related metallopeptidase cystinyl aminopeptidase and point towards a model in which 1,10-phenanthroline inhibit enzyme activity by decreasing the free Zn2+ concentration. Moreover, EDTA is capable of removing a modulatory ion from an allosteric site at the enzyme, facilitating the direct interaction between 1,10-phenanthroline and the catalytic Zn2+. Compatible with this model, Ca2+ may bind to this allosteric site resulting in the potentiation of Zn2+-mediated re-activation of the enzyme activity in the presence of EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline.

Mutational analysis of aminopeptidase N, a receptor for several group 1 coronaviruses, identifies key determinants of viral host range

Feline coronavirus (FCoV), porcine transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV), canine coronavirus (CCoV), and human coronavirus HCoV-229E, which belong to the group 1 coronavirus, use aminopeptidase N (APN) of their natural host and feline APN (fAPN) as receptors. Using mouse-feline APN chimeras, we identified three small, discontinuous regions, amino acids (aa) 288 to 290, aa 732 to 746 (called R1), and aa 764 to 788 (called R2) in fAPN that determined the host ranges of these coronaviruses. Blockade of infection with anti-fAPN monoclonal antibody RG4 suggested that these three regions lie close together on the fAPN surface. Different residues in fAPN were required for infection with each coronavirus. HCoV-229E infection was blocked by an N-glycosylation sequon present between aa 288 to 290 in murine APN. TGEV required R1 of fAPN, while FCoV and CCoV required both R1 and R2 for entry. N740 and T742 in fAPN and the homologous R741 in human APN (hAPN) were key determinants of host range for FCoV, TGEV, and CCoV. Residue N740 in fAPN was essential only for CCoV receptor activity. A conservative T742V substitution or a T742R substitution in fAPN destroyed receptor activity for the pig, dog, and cat coronaviruses, while a T742S substitution retained these receptor activities. Thus, the hydroxyl on T742 is required for the coronavirus receptor activity of fAPN. In hAPN an R741T substitution caused a gain of receptor activity for TGEV but not for FCoV or CCoV. Therefore, entry and host range of these group 1 coronaviruses depend on the ability of the viral spike glycoproteins to recognize small, species-specific amino acid differences in the APN proteins of different species.

The molecular biology of coronaviruses

Coronaviruses are large, enveloped RNA viruses of both medical and veterinary importance. Interest in this viral family has intensified in the past few years as a result of the identification of a newly emerged coronavirus as the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). At the molecular level, coronaviruses employ a variety of unusual strategies to accomplish a complex program of gene expression. Coronavirus replication entails ribosome frameshifting during genome translation, the synthesis of both genomic and multiple subgenomic RNA species, and the assembly of progeny virions by a pathway that is unique among enveloped RNA viruses. Progress in the investigation of these processes has been enhanced by the development of reverse genetic systems, an advance that was heretofore obstructed by the enormous size of the coronavirus genome. This review summarizes both classical and contemporary discoveries in the study of the molecular biology of these infectious agents, with particular emphasis on the nature and recognition of viral receptors, viral RNA synthesis, and the molecular interactions governing virion assembly.

CD13 in cell adhesion: aminopeptidase N (CD13) mediates homotypic aggregation of monocytic cells

Homotypic aggregation (HA) of cells plays key roles in physiological and pathological processes, such as embryogenesis, immune responses, angiogenesis, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. Aminopeptidase N (CD13) has been implicated in most of these phenomena, although its participation has been attributed to its enzymatic activity, while its role as an adhesion molecule has been almost unexplored. Here, we show that certain anti‐CD13 monoclonal antibodies induce HA of monocytic U‐937 cells, independently of their effect on enzymatic activity. The phenomenon is related to binding to a specific site on the CD13 molecule and is independent of integrins. It is abrogated by low temperature, by the glycolysis inhibitor 2‐deoxyglucose, and by inhibitors of tyrosine and mitogen‐activated protein kinases. The inhibitor of microtubule polymerization colchicine has a synergistic effect on CD13‐mediated aggregation, suggesting an inhibitory role of microtubules in this process. Finally, during HA, CD13 actively redistributes to the zones of cell‐cell contact, as determined by live cell imaging studies, demonstrating a direct role of CD13 in the adhesion phenomenon. Together, these data show for the first time the participation of CD13 in monocytic cell adhesion.

Aminopeptidase-N/CD13 (EC 3.4.11.2) inhibitors: chemistry, biological evaluations, and therapeutic prospects

Aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 (EC 3.4.11.2) is a transmembrane protease present in a wide variety of human tissues and cell types (endothelial, epithelial, fibroblast, leukocyte). APN/CD13 expression is dysregulated in inflammatory diseases and in cancers (solid and hematologic tumors). APN/CD13 serves as a receptor for coronaviruses. Natural and synthetic inhibitors of APN activity have been characterized. These inhibitors have revealed that APN is able to modulate bioactive peptide responses (pain management, vasopressin release) and to influence immune functions and major biological events (cell proliferation, secretion, invasion, angiogenesis). Therefore, inhibition of APN/CD13 may lead to the development of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs. This review provides an update on the biological and pharmacological profiles of known natural and synthetic APN inhibitors. Current status on their potential use as therapeutic agents is discussed with regard to toxicity and specificity.